New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gifted artworks and traditional items representing the rich heritage of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to world leaders during the G-20 summit in Bali.
The prime minister has used the custom of presenting gifts to world leaders to highlight India’s rich and ancient artwork and craft by presenting them with items associated with the country’s different regions.
The annual G20 Leaders’ Summit began on Tuesday with participating world leaders deliberating extensively upon key issues of global concern including challenges posed by Covid-19 under the Summit theme of ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’.
G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
Here’s what PM Modi gifter to world leader
Gift to US: Kangra miniature painting
Kangra miniature paintings generally portray ‘Shringar Rasa’ or depiction of love on a natural backdrop. These exquisite paintings are made by painters from Himachal Pradesh using natural colors.
Gift to UK: Mata Ni Pachedi
It is a handmade textile of Gujarat and an offering in temple shrines which house Mother Goddess. The name is derived from Gujarati words ‘Mata’ meaning ‘mother goddess’, ‘Ni’ meaning ‘belonging to’ & ‘Pachedi’ meaning ‘backdrop’.
Gift to Australia: ‘Pithora’
A Phithora is a ritualistic tribal folk art by Rathwa artisans from Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat. These paintings bear a striking resemblance the Aboriginal dot painting from the indigenous communities of Australia.
Gift to Italy: Patan Patola Dupatta
The (Double Ikat) Patan Patola textile woven by Salvi family in Patan area of Northern Gujarat is so well crafted that it becomes a feast of colours, with front & reverse being indistinguishable.
Modi’s gifts to the leaders from France, Germany and Singapore were ‘agate bowls’, work of traditional craft associated with the Kutch region of Gujarat.
Gift to Indonesia: Silver Bowl & Kinnauri Shaw
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifts Silver Bowl from Surat and Kinnauri Shawl from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh to Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the #G20Summit in Bali, Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/IYIeKIVT7z
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2022
Gift to Spain: ‘Kanal Brass Set’
These traditional musical instruments are now increasingly used as décor objects and are manufactured in Mandi & Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh by skilled metal craftspersons.
The prime minister has focussed on gifting traditional works associated with Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Incidentally, Gujarat is slated for assembly polls on December 1 and 5, while polls were held in the hill state on November 12.
