UPSC Prelims 2018 Q54: Art & Culture – Festivals, Crafts & Folk Traditions
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Traditional Crafts and State Verification
| Pair | State | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Puthukkuli shawls | Tamil Nadu | YES - Puthukkuli is a traditional embroidered shawl of the Toda tribe of the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu). Distinctive red and black geometric embroidery on off-white cloth. GI-tagged. |
| 2. Sujni embroidery | Maharashtra | NO - Sujni embroidery is a traditional craft of Bihar (Madhubani/Bhusra region), NOT Maharashtra. It uses running stitch on old cloth layered together. |
| 3. Uppada Jamdani saris | Karnataka | NO - Uppada Jamdani saris are from Andhra Pradesh (East Godavari district), NOT Karnataka. GI-tagged. |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only pair 1 (Puthukkuli-Tamil Nadu) is correctly matched. Sujni is Bihari; Uppada is from Andhra Pradesh.
- (b) Incorrect. Pair 2 wrongly assigns Sujni (a Bihar craft) to Maharashtra.
- (c) Incorrect. Uppada Jamdani belongs to Andhra Pradesh, not Karnataka.
- (d) Incorrect. Both pairs 2 and 3 misidentify the state of origin.
Key point
Correct GI craft origins: Puthukkuli = Tamil Nadu (Toda). Sujni = Bihar. Uppada Jamdani = Andhra Pradesh (East Godavari). Kolhapuri chappal = Maharashtra + Karnataka. Chanderi = Madhya Pradesh.
Remember
Puthukkuli shawls are the traditional embroidered shawls of the Toda tribe of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu - GI-tagged and known for their red-and-black geometric embroidery. Sujni embroidery belongs to Bihar, not Maharashtra; and Uppada Jamdani saris are from Andhra Pradesh (East Godavari), not Karnataka.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Uppada Jamdani (Andhra Pradesh) with the original Dhaka Jamdani (Bangladesh, UNESCO ICH).
- Placing Sujni in Maharashtra - it is a Bihari craft, often associated with revival by Bhusra women.
- Assuming any shawl craft is Kashmiri - Nilgiris' Toda Puthukkuli is a distinct South Indian tradition.
Exam tip
GI craft-state map: Puthukkuli = TN. Uppada Jamdani = AP. Sujni = Bihar. Pochampally = Telangana. Kanjeevaram = TN. Banarasi = UP. Chanderi = MP. Kalamkari = AP (Srikalahasti + Machilipatnam).
Sources
- GI Registry, India - List of Registered Geographical Indications
- Ministry of Textiles - Handloom and Handicraft Traditions of India