While GI tags protect heritage legally, market access is what keeps it alive. Many rural artisans with GI crafts still struggle to find fair-paying buyers because they lack marketing knowledge or connections to urban and global consumers.
This is where fair platforms like Tisser play an essential role. By curating GI-tagged crafts and telling the stories behind them, Tisser helps ensure artisans receive recognition and fair income for their work — not just a tiny fraction of what middlemen make off their skills.
Such collectives educate consumers about what GI means, how to spot genuine products, and why paying a fair price is crucial for preserving living heritage.
Small Steps You Can Take
As a conscious consumer, your choices can help protect India’s craft legacy. Next time you’re shopping for a saree, a piece of pottery, or a traditional painting, look for the GI tag or ask about its origin.
Buy directly from trusted cooperatives, artisan collectives, or marketplaces that provide transparency about their supply chains. Share the story of your craft with friends — awareness is a powerful tool against counterfeiting.
A Future Woven With Authenticity
India’s GI crafts are more than commodities; they are cultural ambassadors that carry the soul of their regions. Protecting them means ensuring artisans are not forced out by cheap, factory-made lookalikes.
So, the next time you drape a Mysore Silk saree or gift a Channapatna toy, remember: you’re not just buying a product. You’re investing in a community’s right to keep its craft alive — with dignity, recognition, and pride.