Modi gifts Odisha's artefacts to world leaders during recent tours
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Bhubaneswar: During his recent international tours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a curated selection of Odisha's finest traditional art and artefacts, including Pattachitra painting, silver filigree works and miniature replicas of the iconic Konark wheel, to his counterparts and global leaders.
People of Odisha, including politicians and artisans, said such recognition can boost global demand, tourism, and economic opportunities for Odisha's artists.
During his meeting with Croatian president Zoran Milanović, the Prime Minister presented a traditional Pattachitra painting, known for its intricate depictions of mythological tales, particularly stories from the Jagannath tradition.
Chief minister Mohan Majhi expressed his gratitude to the PM for selecting the timeless creations from Odisha as a gift and wrote in an X post: "Time and again, Prime Minister Modi ji has brought global recognition to Odisha's rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
This gesture further reaffirms our pride in Odia Asmita and brings the timeless legacy of the Jagannath tradition to the forefront on the world stage. Such international appreciation serves as a profound source of inspiration for our artisan communities and strengthens Odisha's cultural identity globally.
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Puri MP Sambit Patra described it as 'a proud moment for Odisha and Puri!' "Pattachitra is a centuries-old cloth-based art from Odisha, known for its detailed mythological stories, especially the divine pastimes of Lord Sri Jagannath.
These are carefully painted using only natural mineral and vegetable colours. These scrolls have long been carried by pilgrims returning from darshan in Puri, as a symbol of blessings from the Jagannath temple," Patra wrote in an X post.
He further added that Raghurajpur, a heritage village in Puri Lok Sabha, is the heart of this age-old tradition, where skilled 'chitrakars' preserved and passed down Pattachitra for over a thousand years.
Under Modiji's leadership, India's cultural strength continues to shine across the world, he wrote.
In addition to the Pattachitra painting, PM Narendra Modi gifted chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz a sandstone replica of the Konark wheel and a silver clutch purse to governor general of Canada Mary Simon during the G7 summit. The labour-intensive crafts are known for their precision and elegance and are a symbol of Odisha's unmatched metallurgical tradition.
Odia netizens appreciated PM Modi's gesture of gifting Odisha's timeless crafts. "What a thoughtful way to share India's living tradition with the world," read an X post. Another person wrote, "A tribute to India's storytelling heritage."
These diplomatic gifts are more than symbolic gestures as they carry the legacy of generations of artisans, many of whom live in rural and coastal Odisha. "Prime Minister Modiji's gesture of gifting Pattachitra paintings, the stone wheel of Konark, and silver artwork to world leaders not only showcased Odisha's rich cultural heritage but also highlighted the exceptional craftsmanship of its artisans. This gesture will boost international recognition and appreciation for Odisha's art, potentially leading to increased demand and opportunities for local artisans," said Khitish Das, an artist.
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