From Kalamkari painting to Kashmiri carpet, Modi's gifts to foreign dignitaries showcase India's heritage, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a variety of Indian art, handicrafts, and products to foreign dignitaries during his recent visits to France and Slovakia.
• Gifts included a Kalamkari Mahabharata painting to French President Emmanuel Macron and a Pochampally silk stole to his spouse.
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico received a Kashmiri silk carpet, while President Peter Pellegrini was gifted a Brass Dokra Antelope set.
• Other notable gifts included Thewa motif cufflinks, Charak Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Thekua, Nagauri Ashwagandha, Lakadong Turmeric, Ramban Honey, and Banarsi silk stoles.
• These selections showcased India's rich artistic heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and cultural diversity on a global platform.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Kalamkari Mahabharata painting from Andhra Pradesh is a hand-crafted artwork using traditional pen-drawing techniques, taking six months to complete.
• The Pochampally silk stole from Telangana is a handwoven textile made using the traditional Ikat resist-dyeing technique, known for its intricate patterns.
• The Kashmiri silk carpet is a prestigious hand-knotted craft, made from high-quality natural silk with intricate floral and paisley designs.
• The Brass Dokra Antelope set showcases India’s ancient Dokra metal-casting tradition, practiced by tribal artisans across several states.
• The antelope figures in the Dokra set symbolize gentleness and harmony with nature, drawing a cultural connection to Slovakia's Tatra Chamois.
• Thewa motif cufflinks represent a traditional jewellery craft from Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh, featuring engraved gold sheet fused onto coloured glass.
• Charak Samhita and Susruta Samhita are ancient texts reflecting India’s rich scientific and intellectual heritage in Ayurveda.
• Thekua, a traditional snack from Bihar, reflects regional culinary traditions and festive celebrations.
• Nagauri Ashwagandha is valued in Ayurveda as a Rasayana herb for vitality and well-being, also supporting rural livelihoods.
• Lakadong Turmeric from Meghalaya and Ramban Honey from the Chenab Valley were among the gifts presented during the G7 Summit.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Kalamkari: A traditional Indian art form of hand-painting or block-printing on fabric, originating from Andhra Pradesh.
• Ikat: A dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs resist dyeing on the yarns prior to weaving.
• Dokra Art: An ancient metal casting art form using the lost-wax technique, primarily practiced by tribal communities in India.
• Thewa Art: A unique jewellery art from Rajasthan where gold foil is intricately fused with molten glass.
• Ayurveda: A traditional Indian system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent, focusing on holistic health.
• Rasayana: A branch of Ayurvedic medicine focused on rejuvenation, anti-aging, and promoting longevity and vitality.