During the recent BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage by presenting traditional artworks to world leaders. He showcased Jharkhand’s artistic legacy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while leaders from Iran and Uzbekistan received handcrafted items from Maharashtra. Notably, PM Modi gifted a stunning Mother of Pearl (MOP) seashell vase to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, a testament to India’s exquisite craftsmanship.
Putin was presented with a traditional Sohrai painting from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district, an item recognized under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Sohrai paintings are distinguished by their use of natural pigments and simplistic tools, with artists employing brushes made from twigs, rice straw, or even their fingers to create intricate designs. These artworks often depict animals, birds, and nature, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle and deep connection to wildlife prevalent in the local tribal culture.
The Mother of Pearl vase, crafted by coastal artisans from Maharashtra, showcases the region’s skilled craftsmanship and embodies the natural beauty of the state’s shoreline, symbolizing a harmonious blend of tradition and artistry.
In another significant gesture, PM Modi presented a traditional Warli painting to Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This revered art form, originating from Maharashtra’s Warli tribe, boasts a history spanning nearly 5,000 years and is celebrated worldwide for its minimalistic yet distinct style. Warli paintings utilize basic geometric shapes to portray scenes of tribal life, including nature, festivals, and communal activities. In 2014, Warli art was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, affirming its status as a valuable and adaptable cultural heritage.
