The Puneri Pagadi is a distinctive style of

turban A turban (from Persian دولبند‌, ''dulband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Communities with promine ...

, which is considered as a symbol of pride and honor in the city of

Pune Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...

. It was introduced two centuries ago. Though it is a symbol of honour, the use of the ''pagadi'' has changed over the years and now it is also used on traditional days in colleges. To preserve the identity of the ''pagadi'', there were demands from the locals to grant it a

Geographical Indication A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, ...

(GI) status. Their demand was fulfilled and the ''pagadi'' became an

intellectual property Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The best-known types are patents, cop ...

on 4 September 2009.

History

The ''Puneri''-style pagadi was introduced in the 19th century by

Mahadev Govind Ranade Mahadev Govind Ranade (18 January 1842 – 16 January 1901), popularly referred to as Justice Ranade, was an Indian scholar, social reformer, judge and author. He was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress party and owned ...

, a social reformer. Later, it was worn by many leaders like

Lokmanya Tilak Bal Gangadhar Tilak (; born Keshav Gangadhar Tilak (pronunciation: eʃəʋ ɡəŋɡaːd̪ʱəɾ ʈiɭək; 23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920), endeared as Lokmanya (IAST: ''Lokmānya''), was an Indian nationalist, teacher, and an independence a ...

, J.S. Karandikar, D.D. Sathye, Dr. Vitthalrao Gade, Tatyasaheb Kelkar and

Datto Vaman Potdar Dattatray Vaman Potdar (5 August 1890 – 6 October 1979), better known as Datto Vaman Potdar, was an Indian historian, writer, and orator. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Pune during 1961 - 1964. The British colonial Government of ...

. The ''pagadi'' became more popular in 1973 after the

Marathi Marathi may refer to: *Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India *Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people *Palaiosouda, also known as Marathi, a small island in Greece See also * * ...

play, ''

Ghashiram Kotwal '' Kotwal'' is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972 as a response to the rise of a local political party, in Maharashtra. The play is a political satire, written as historical drama. It is based on the life of Nana Phadna ...

''.

Usage

The ''pagadi'' is used mostly on special occasions like wedding ceremonies and traditional days in schools and colleges. Youngsters wear it while performing the ''gondhal'' art form. The ''pagadi'', being a symbol of honour, is also used as a

souvenir A souvenir (), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. A souvenir can be any object that can be collected or purchased and transported home by the traveler as a m ...

. It also finds usage in

period film A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romances, adventure films, and swas ...

s and

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

Granting of intellectual property right

The 10-membered ''Shree Puneri Pagadi Sangh'' had applied before the Geographical Indication Registry to get a

(GI) tag for the ''pagadi''. Great Mission Group Consultancy, which promotes

intellectual property rights Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The best-known types are patents, cop ...

filed the application on behalf of them. The aim was to make the ''pagadi'' recognizable, preserve its identity and also that of the ''Puneri'' culture. Consequently, on 4 September 2009, the Geographical Indication status was given to the

headgear Headgear, headwear, or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, de ...

and the ''pagadi'' became the official cultural identity of

. Thus, the ''pagadi'' got the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) and selling of any turban made outside Pune, under the name of ''Puneri pagadi'' became illegal. Along with the ''Puneri pagadi'', IPR has been previously issued to Indian products like

Darjeeling tea Darjeeling tea is a tea made from ''Camellia sinensis var. sinensis'' that is grown and processed in Darjeeling or Kalimpong Districts in West Bengal, India. Since 2004, the term ''Darjeeling tea'' has been a registered geographical indication ...

Banarasi sari A Banarasi sari is a sari made in Varanasi, an ancient city which is also called Benares (Banaras). The saris are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The sa ...

s, Tirupati ladoos, among others.

References

{{Clothing in South Asia Culture of Pune Indian headgear Indian clothing Turbans Geographical indications in Maharashtra