Nellore's Udayagiri wooden cutlery gets Geographical Identification tag

Nellore: Udayagiri wooden cutlery, based on the beautiful and delicate craft of Nellore, has been given the Geographical Identification tag. This is the second GI tag in Nellore district, after Venkatagiri saris in 2009.

The AP Technology Development and Promotion Centre and AP Handicrafts Development Corporation jointly applied for the GI tag on behalf of the craftsmen in March 2015. The certificate will be received in a week, officials said.

Geographical indication indicates products which come from a specific region. No producer of a similar product made elsewhere can claim the name which is covered by a GI tag.

I.V. Lakshmipathy, GM of AP Handicrafts Development Corporation and Lepakshi, said the GI tag is a big value addition in the international market and paves the way for exports.  It allows artisans to take legal action if anyone is found producing duplicates.

Udayaigiri cutlery is known for its intricate carvings and fine proportions and is made by a few master craftspersons of the region. The craft probably originated during the time of the Quli Qutub Shah kings. The carvings are on wood sourced locally, from forests in and around Udayagiri, be it Nardi, Devadari, Bikki Chakka, Kaldi chakka or Palabarki. The most commonly used wood is from Nardi as it is very soft and easy to handle.

Wooden logs are collected from nearby Durgampalli hills at Udayagiri.  The product range includes spoons, forks, salad bowls,  etc. Smaller spoons or pallis are made from Nardi and Bikki wood.

Bigger spoons and forks are made out of harder wood called kaldi. They are used to serve curry and rice.

The cutlery traces its influence to Persian motifs and forms, and is mostly sold as gifting and table decoration items.  Women here have formed groups to produce the cutlery, and artisans have also set up the Udayagiri Cutlery Mutual Aided Cooperative society.