The Narasingapettai Nagaswaram musical instrument has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under ‘musical instruments of class 15’.
- Nagaswaram is handmade in Narasingapettai village near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur, unlike the other machine-made ones.
- The Geographical Indications Registry of Government of India accorded the recognition based on an application from Thanjavur Musical Instruments Workers Cooperative Cottage Industrial Society Limited.
About Nadaswaram
- Nadaswaram is a ‘mangala vaadhiyam’ (auspicious instrument). It originated in this area, in a village near Mayavaram.
- Traditionally, nadaswarams are made with aacha maram ( Hardwickia binate , Indian Blackwood).
- Artisans of the nagaswaram choose the wood wisely, a type of ebony, ensuring it is 200 years old, and which does not absorb moisture.
- The top portion has a metal staple into which a small metallic cylinder is inserted to hold the mouthpiece made of reed. The reeds are made from the leaves of a locally grown plant called ‘naanal’ (a variety of bamboo).
- According to artisans, it takes three days and three artisans to make one nagaswaram. Each family makes 40 pieces a year.
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