Bhubaneswar: Throughout his current worldwide excursions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a curated number of Odisha’s best conventional artwork and artefacts, together with Pattachitra portray, silver filigree works and miniature replicas of the enduring Konark wheel, to his counterparts and international leaders. Folks of Odisha, together with politicians and artisans, mentioned such recognition can increase international demand, tourism, and financial alternatives for Odisha’s artists.Throughout his assembly with Croatian president Zoran Milanović, the Prime Minister offered a conventional Pattachitra portray, identified for its intricate depictions of mythological tales, notably tales from the Jagannath custom.Chief minister Mohan Majhi expressed his gratitude to the PM for choosing the timeless creations from Odisha as a present and wrote in an X publish: “Again and again, Prime Minister Modi ji has introduced international recognition to Odisha’s wealthy cultural and non secular heritage. This gesture additional reaffirms our satisfaction in Odia Asmita and brings the timeless legacy of the Jagannath custom to the forefront on the world stage. Such worldwide appreciation serves as a profound supply of inspiration for our artisan communities and strengthens Odisha’s cultural identification globally.“Puri MP Sambit Patra described it as ‘a proud second for Odisha and Puri!’ “Pattachitra is a centuries-old cloth-based artwork from Odisha, identified for its detailed mythological tales, particularly the divine pastimes of Lord Sri Jagannath. These are fastidiously painted utilizing solely pure mineral and vegetable colors. These scrolls have lengthy been carried by pilgrims coming back from darshan in Puri, as a logo of blessings from the Jagannath temple,” Patra wrote in an X publish.He additional added that Raghurajpur, a heritage village in Puri Lok Sabha, is the center of this age-old custom, the place expert ‘chitrakars’ preserved and handed down Pattachitra for over a thousand years. Below Modiji’s management, India’s cultural energy continues to shine the world over, he wrote.Along with the Pattachitra portray, PM Narendra Modi gifted chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz a sandstone reproduction of the Konark wheel and a silver clutch purse to governor normal of Canada Mary Simon throughout the G7 summit. The labour-intensive crafts are identified for his or her precision and magnificence and are a logo of Odisha’s unmatched metallurgical custom.Odia netizens appreciated PM Modi’s gesture of gifting Odisha’s timeless crafts. “What a considerate method to share India’s residing custom with the world,” learn an X publish. One other individual wrote, “A tribute to India’s storytelling heritage.”These diplomatic presents are greater than symbolic gestures as they carry the legacy of generations of artisans, a lot of whom reside in rural and coastal Odisha. “Prime Minister Modiji’s gesture of gifting Pattachitra work, the stone wheel of Konark, and silver art work to world leaders not solely showcased Odisha’s wealthy cultural heritage but additionally highlighted the distinctive craftsmanship of its artisans. This gesture will increase worldwide recognition and appreciation for Odisha’s artwork, doubtlessly resulting in elevated demand and alternatives for native artisans,” mentioned Khitish Das, an artist.
