Jharkhand's centuries-old traditional musical instrument, Mandar, is on the verge of receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, with the final hearing scheduled for December 20 before the Registrar of Geographical Indications, Government of India.

Mandar holds a special place in Jharkhand's cultural heritage, serving as the primary instrument played during festivals, crop celebrations, religious rituals, and cultural events. It is deeply integrated into the lives of both tribal and non-tribal communities, having been used for centuries in various dance and song performances.