Ethamukkala check lungis become the 1,800th GI application filed in India
HYDERABAD: Ethamukkala Check Lungis of Andhra Pradesh have become the 1,800th application filed for a geographical indication (GI) with the GI Registry in Chennai.
The application was submitted by the Ethamukkala Weavers Cooperative Production and Sales Society, representing traditional weavers from Ethamukkala village in Prakasam district. The filing was facilitated by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha, chief executive officer of Resolute 4IP Services LLP.
Known for their signature check patterns, Ethamukkala Check Lungis are handwoven, lightweight, and soft in texture. They are made using 60×60 count combed cotton yarn, with the checks woven directly into the fabric through precise interlacement of warp and weft yarns during the weaving process.
“Unlike printed or post-applied designs, these checks form an inseparable part of the fabric, ensuring durability, consistency, and long-lasting aesthetic appeal,” Saha said. He added that the distinctive patterns are the result of specialised weaving knowledge passed down through generations since 1975.
The weaving process involves careful yarn selection, colour balancing, and meticulous pattern alignment. According to Saha, this combination of technique and tradition gives Ethamukkala Check Lungis their recognisable character and superior quality.
Saha, who has assisted in filing more than 50 GI applications from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said GI protection would ensure that only authentic lungis originating from Ethamukkala are marketed under the name. This, he said, would safeguard the product from misuse while preserving its reputation in domestic and international markets.
