Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently attended G7 Summit in Germany, presented its leaders with various gifts displaying India's rich art and crafts.
This nickel coated, hand engraved brass vessel is a masterpiece from District Moradabad, which is also known as the Peetal Nagari or “brass city” of Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi gifted Gulabi Meenakari brooch and cufflink set from Varanasi to US President Joe Biden.
The crockery is outlined with platinum metal paint in honour of Queen’s platinum jubilee being celebrated this year. Embossed outlines are laid on manually with Mehndi cone work.
PM gifted Itr bottles in a zardozi box from Lucknow to France President Emmanuel Macron.
The Zari Zardozi box has been hand embroidered on khadi silk & satin tissue in colours of the French National Flag. The motifs are traditional Indo-Persian, lotus flowers hand embroidered.
PM Modi gifted an Indian hand knitted silk carpet from Kashmir to Canada PM Justin Trudeau.
The hand knitted silk carpets are famous all over the world for their softness. A Kashmiri Silk carpet is known for its beauty, perfectness, lushness, luxury & dedicated craftsmanship
PM Modi gifted a Marble Inlay table top from Agra to Italian PM Mario Draghi.
Pietra dura or Marble inlay has its origins in Opus sectile, form of pietra dura popularised in medieval Roman world where materials were cut & inlaid into walls &floors to make a picture or pattern.
PM Modi gifted Black Pottery pieces from Nizamabad, UP, to Japan PM Fumio Kishida.
The Pottery uses a special technique to bring out black colours- while the pottery is inside the oven, it is ensured that there is no scope for oxygen to enter the oven & heat level remains high.
Other than G7 leaders, PM Modi also gifted items to leaders from Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Argentina.
This particular art-piece is a figure of ‘Nandi –The Meditative Bull’. According to Hindu mythology Nandi is considered as the vehicle (mount) of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction.
PM Modi gifted Dokra Art with Ramayana Theme from Chattisgarh to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Dokra Art is non–ferrous metal casting art using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used.
PM Modi gifted Lacquerware Ram Durbar from Varanasi to Indonesia President Joko Widodo.
The wooden statues of gods, goddesses and sacred animals served as coveted souvenirs taken back by pilgrims. This particular piece is made on Goolar (Botanical name: Ficus Racemosa) wood.
PM Modi gifted Moonj baskets and cotton durries from Sitapur to Senegal President Macky Sall.
In Senegal, tradition of hand weaving is passed down from mother to daughter, adding to its importance as a vehicle for cultural expression &family livelihood, driven by strong women.