On the side-lines of G20 summit that was held in Bali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented gifts to world leaders highlighting India’s art and culture. Modi, after taking over the presidency said it was a matter of pride for every Indian citizen. “We will organize G20 meetings in different cities and states of our country. Our guests will get full experience of India’s amazing diversity, inclusive traditions, and cultural richness. We wish that all of you will participate in this unique celebration in India, the mother of democracy. Together we will make the G20, a catalyst for global change,” said the Prime Minister.
PM Narendra Modi presented US President Joe Biden with a Kangra miniature painting from Himachal Pradesh. Named for a former princely state now a part of Himachal, the Kangra school – blends romantic love with bhakti mysticism, emerged after refugee Mughal painters were inspired by themes from Keshav Das love poetry and Jayadeva Bihari.
Modi presented Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez a Kanal brass set from Himachal’s Mandi and Kullu districts. The gift included traditional musical instruments.
Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was gifted a scarf, a Patan Patola dupatta, handwoven from the northern Gujarat by the Salvi family. The scarf was made using a technique called ‘double ikat’ that gives it a multi-colour look. Japan and Indonesia are the only two countries apart from India where the double ikat technique are traditionally used.
PM gifted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a Mata ni Pachedi artifact that is a form of textile art produced by the Vaghari community.
Former France President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted Modi for lunch, got an agate bowl from Kutch, Gujrat. Germany’s Olaf Scholz and Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong got similar gifts.
Modi gifted the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a piece of ritualistic tribal folk art called pithora from Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat that was created by Rathwa artisans.The art is like Aboriginal dot painting by Australia’s indigenous communities.
