From traditional paintings to artifacts: Prime Minister Modi’s gifts to dignitaries reflect India’s rich heritage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes it a point to promote India’s rich and diverse culture whenever he meets foreign dignitaries. He is known for giving gifts that testify to the tradition and heritage of the country. Prime Minister Modi is said to have gifted a Rogan painting, the art of fabric printing practiced in Kutch of Gujarat, to Danish Queen Margrethe, a Benares silver meenakari bird figure to Crown Princess Mary and a brass tree of life from Rajasthan to its Finnish counterpart.

A silver Meenakari bird figurine from Varanasi

On the sidelines of the 2nd Indo-Nordic summit in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, Modi offered decorative objects illustrating the richness of Indian culture. Modi presented a silver Meenakari bird figurine from Varanasi to Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The important element of Banaras Meenakari is the use of pink color in various shades on various products. It has been noted that the art of silver enameling practiced in Varanasi is almost 500 years old and has its roots in the Persian art of Meenakari.

Dhaal with koftgiri art of Rajasthan

Prime Minister Modi presented a dhaal with Rajasthani koftgiri art and a wall hanging with Kutch embroidery to the prime ministers of Norway and Denmark respectively. Tarkashi (Koftgiri) on metal is a traditional art of Rajasthan as a means of decorating weapons and armour. Koftgiri is the inlay work with silver and gold threads.

Gujarat Rogan Painting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Rogan’s painting to the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark Margrethe II at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, .

In Rogan’s painting, paint made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes is dropped onto the fabric using either a metal block (printing) or a stylus (painting). The machine almost disappeared at the end of the 20th century. Unfortunately, it is not practiced as widely as it once was, with only a few families living in the state making such paintings. The word ‘Rogan’ comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. The process of applying this oil-based paint to fabric began among the Khatris, a community in Kutch, Gujarat.

Dhokra boat from Chhattisgarh

Modi presented a dhokra boat from Chhattisgarh to Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. Dokra is a non-ferrous metal casting using the lost wax casting technique. This type of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still in use today. The products of artisans who come mainly from central and eastern India are in high demand in domestic and overseas markets due to their primitive simplicity, enchanting folk patterns and energetic form.

Pashmina stole in paper mache box from Jammu and Kashmir

India’s prime minister presented a pashmina stole in a Jammu and Kashmir papier-mâché box to his Swedish counterpart. A symbol of luxury and elegance, Kashmir pashmina stoles have been appreciated since time immemorial for their rare material, exquisite craftsmanship and evocative patterns. The warmth and softness offered by these stoles is simply incomparable.

A brass tree of life from Rajasthan

The Prime Minister presented a brass tree of life from Rajasthan to his Finnish counterpart. The tree of life symbolizes the development and growth of life, and this handcrafted decorative wall art piece is made from brass and is an example of India’s excellent craftsmanship and rich tradition . The roots of the tree represent connection with the earth, the leaves and birds represent life and the candle holder represents light.

Painting Orissa Pattachitra

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen received the traditional Pattachitra painting of Odisha by Prime Minister Modi. Pattachitra painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of painting in Odisha. The artwork has intricate details and tales from mythology and folklore.

(With PTI entries)