Bobbili Veena gets patent rights

VIZIANAGARAM: The craftsmen who have been putting their heart and soul into making Bobbili Veena for 160 years have finally struck the right chord.The Government of India on Thursday has announced that the Bobbili Veena got patent rights.Hereafter, craftsmen from Bobbili in Vizianagaram district own legal rights to manufacture this musical instrument. The makers of this exquisite Veena learnt about it when officials of Handicrafts Gananka Corporation of Chennai had informed the Craft Development Centre (CDC) management in Gollapalle of Vizianagaram district.The CDC had applied for patent rights three months ago. Following the application of the CDC, a fivemember committee of Handicrafts Gananka Corporation, Chennai telephoned CDC president S Atchuthanarayana asking him to attend an interview to explain the significance and uniqueness of the Bobbili Veena and why it should qualify for patent rights. The CDC chief and members appeared before the committee and explain ed the intricate art of making Bobbili Veena.