Gujarat's Tribal Pithora Painting Receives GI Tag

Pithora painting, a centuries-old ritual wall art of the Rathwa tribe of Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, protecting it from imitation and expanding market access for tribal artisans. Traditionally painted by Lakharas using natural colours from leaves, flowers, minerals and mahua, Pithora depicts mythology, rituals and nature and is central to the cultural identity of the Rathwa, Bhil, Bhilala and Nayaka communities. Institutional support through Gujarat's Garvi Gurjari initiative has raised artisan incomes by 15-30%. In India, GI tags are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999; the GI Registry is located in Chennai, and India's first GI was Darjeeling Tea (2004).