Agartala: In a significant development, two iconic products of Tripura—Tripura Sundari Peda also referred to as Matabari Peda (a milk-based sweet dish) and indigenous attire Rignai—that are deemed an integral part of the state’s identity have been accorded the Geographical Indication certification under food and textile categories respectively.
The total number of GI tagged products rose to four with the new additions. Tripura grown queen variety of pineapple and tribal attire Risa had already received the intellectual property status for Tripura. However, Tripura’s application for securing the GI tag for Jackfruit was rejected.
Application for four more products which include Tripura cane craft, Musical instrument Sarinda, Reang Jewelry of Tripura, and Tripura painting are still pending.
The certification for the two new products was announced on March 30, 2024, which shall remain valid till March 2033.
Matabari Peda is a milk based sweet item offered to the deity as Bhog. Speaking to EastMojo, head Puroheet of Tripura Sundari temple Chandan Chakraborty said, “Around 95 percent of the devotees offer Peda bhog to the deity. The ritual of offering Peda has been continuing for hundreds of years even before the time of my grandfather.”
According to Manager of Matabari Temple Manik Datta, the total number of Peda shops in the temple stands at 180. Matabari Mahila Cluster Level Bahumukhi Samabay Samiti was the applicant for the product while Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission acted as a facilitator.
On the other hand, Rignai is a bottom wear used by the women of Tripura indigenous communities. There are different names associated with the wear in different tribe groups but “Rignai” is the most common name.
An unavoidable part of the traditional attire of Tripuri woman Rignai is hand woven in household rooms. In the rural areas, Tripura women weave their Rignai themselves.
There are varieties in designs but the wear is common for all.
Dewanbari Mahila Cluster Bahamukhi Samabay Samity was the applicant for the product.
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