PM Modi gift authentic Indian art pieces as souvenirs to Quad leaders

New Delhi, May 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided a glimpse of India’s rich heritage and culture to the world, when he presented souvenirs to his counterparts from the other three Quad nations. PM Modi gifted Sanjhi Art to US President Joe Biden, Wooden hand carved box with Rogan painting to Japan PM Fumio Kishida and Pattamadai Silk mats for Former Japan PM and Gond Art painting for Australia PM Anthony Albanese.

 

 

 

 

During his two-day visit to Japan, for the in person Quad Summit 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took pride in showcasing indigenous arts of India while gifting traditional art based souvenirs to his counterparts at the Quad summit. PM Modi gifted Sanjhi Art that originates from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, to US President Joe Biden. The Wooden hand carved box with Rogan painting that PM Modi gifted to Japan PM Fumio Kishida originates from Gujarat's Kutch region. The Pattamadai Silk mats that he gifted to the Former Japan PMs originate from Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district. And the Gond Art painting gifted to Australia PM originates from Madhya Pradesh.

 

The Sanjhi panel gifted to US President Biden is based on the theme of Thakurani Ghat from Mathura by a national awardee. The Sanjhi Art of Mathura is a unique craft that exhibits exquisite designs and intricate picture motifs that are cut into paper. The scissors craftsmen use for this art are specially designed. To create a Sanjhi design, stencils are made on handmade paper using the scissors. The art depicts Indian mythological stories in numerous forms, mainly focusing on Krishna Leela.

 

 

 

 

 

Gujarat's Rogan painting is a form of surface embellishment. The art is being practiced for over hundred years, but according to the Gujarat govt now only a single family in Nirona, Kutch practices it. In rogan painting, a special paste made of castor is used in this craft. The kalam, an iron rod, flat at both ends, is used to paint half the design with the support of the fingers of the left hand. It is then impressed on the other half of the cloth by pressing the two halves together.

 

The traditional art of weaving Pathamadai silk mat belongs to the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The Pathamadai mats are made up of Korai grass and have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status. Traditionally, the mats are made specially for wedding ceremonies and have bride’s and groom's names as well as the wedding date woven in it.

 

The Gond tribe has its origin in Madhya Pradesh, and derived its name from the word ‘Kond’, meaning “green mountain”. Historically, Gond art dates back to more than 1400 years ago, when the Gond tribe has painted and carved their art on the walls of caves, that belong to the Mesolithic Period. Traditionally, the tribe painted motifs, tattoos, and images on the floors and walls of their houses. Gonds believe that every element of nature is inhabited by a spirit. Thus, they recreate these forms of nature in their paintings.