Europe visit, Day 3: ‘Dokra boat, Pashmina stole, Dhaal, Tree of Life, Silver Meenakari Bird…’: PM Narendra Modi’s precious gifts to European leaders

PM Modi gave expensive and exquisite gifts to the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on the sidelines of the first India-Nordic summit.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave precious items reflecting India's rich and diverse heritage and showcasing its distinctive traditions as gifts to the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on the sidelines of the first India-Nordic summit.

According to Zee Media reports, the PM gifted a Rogan painting, an art of cloth printing practiced in Gujarat's Kutch, to Danish Queen Margrethe, a silver Meenakari bird figure from Benaras to Crown Princess Mary and a brass Tree of Life from Rajasthan to his Finland counterpart among various other items to other dignitaries from the Nordic states.

PM Modi gifts Dokra boat from Chhattisgarh to Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark 

PM Narendra Modi gifted a Dokra boat from Chhattisgarh to HRH Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark. Dhokra, also spelt as Dokra, is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used.

There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. The product of artisans who are mainly from Central and Eastern India are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of their primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form.

PM gifts a Rogan painting from Gujarat to Queen Margrethe 

The PM also gifted a Rogan painting from Gujarat to the HM Queen Margrethe. A Rogan painting is an art of cloth printing practiced in the Kutch District of Gujarat. 

In this craft, paint made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes is laid down on fabric using either a metal block (printing) or a stylus (painting). The craft nearly died out in the late 20th century, with Rogan painting being practiced by only one family. The word ‘Rogan’ comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. The process of applying this oil-based paint to fabric began among the Khatris, a community in Kutch, Gujarat.

The process of making a Rogan painting is very laborious and skilful. Artists place a small amount of this paint paste into their palms. At room temperature, the paint is carefully twisted into motifs and images using a metal rod that never comes in contact with the fabric. Next, the artisan folds his designs into a blank fabric, thereby printing its mirror image.

PM gifts a Silver Meenakari Bird figure from Benaras to Crown Princess Mary

The Prime Minister gifted a Silver Meenakari Bird figure from Banaras to Crown Princess Mary. The art of silver enamelling practised in Benaras (Varanasi) is almost 500 years old. The art has its roots in the Persian art of Meenakari (Meena is the Persian word for glass).

The most distinguishing element of Banaras meenakari is the use of pink colour in various shades on various products. The base is a silver sheet, which is fixed on a metallic base. The sheet fixed on the base mould is beaten lightly to get a fitting form of the mould. The preliminary product is taken off in spliced form the mould and is deftly joined. On this, a design is worked on with a metallic pen. 

The ‘Meena’ is ground to a fine powder and mixed with pomegranate seeds in water. Thereafter, it is fixed on various parts of the product with a flat metallic tool called ‘qalam’. The finished product is decorated with semi-precious stones and pearls.

PM gifts Brass Tree of Life from Rajasthan to PM of Finland 

PM Modi continued by gifting the Tree of Life to his Finland counterpart. The Tree of Life symbolizes the development and growth of life.  The branches of a tree grow and develop upwards and contain various life forms representing inclusiveness.

This hand-crafted wall decorative art piece depicting the 'Tree of Life' is made of brass, and is an example of the excellent craftsmanship and rich tradition of India. The roots of the tree represents connection with the earth, leaves & birds represent life and the candle stand represents light.

PM gifts ‘Dhaal’ with Koftgiri art from Rajasthan to PM of Norway

The Prime Minister gifted ‘Dhaal’ with Koftgiri art from Rajasthan to PM of Norway. Tarkashi (Koftgiri) on metal is a traditional art of Rajasthan in India as a means of decorating Arms and Armour.  Today it has been diverted to the decoration of objects such as picture frames, boxes, walking sticks and decorative swords, daggers and war accessories like shields. Koftgiri is the inlay work with silver and gold wires.

Koftgiri craft is intended to enrich the surface of the metal of which the article is made. The base metal is a mixture of three types of Iron (soft, hard and high). The layers of these three types of iron are hammered till they are completely mixed and one base metal is made then blades in different shapes are made out of it and this blade is dipped into a solution of three herbs which brings out the design engraved on the blade. Finally, the blade is rubbed and polished with very fine paper.

PM gifts a wall hanging with Kutch embroidery to PM of Denmark 

The Prime Minister of Denmark received a precious wall hanging with Kutch embroidery from Narendra Modi. The Kutch Embroidery is a handicraft and textile signature art tradition of the tribal community of Kutch District in Gujarat, India. This embroidery with its rich designs has made a notable contribution to the Indian embroidery traditions.

The embroidery, practiced normally by women is generally done on cotton fabric, in the form of a net using silk or cotton threads of myriad hues. Certain patterns are also crafted over silk and satin. The types of stitches adopted are "square chain, double buttonhole, pattern darning, running stitch, satin and straight stitches". The signature effect of the colourful embroidery sparkles when small mirrors called ‘abhla’ are sewn over the geometrically shaped designs.

A Pashmina stole in a Papier Mache box from J&K for PM of Sweden

The PM also presented a Pashmina stole in a Papier Mache box from J&K to PM of Sweden. A symbol of luxury and elegance, Kashmiri Pashmina Stoles have been treasured for their rare material, exquisite craftsmanship and reminiscent designs since time immemorial. The warmth and softness that these stoles offer are simply beyond comparison.

Pashmina is an exclusive art of the Union Territory of Kashmir, India which is known for producing one of the finest Pashmina stoles.

The wool used for making Pashmina stoles comes from a special breed of Kashmiri goat found in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas. A good Pashmina stole requires an expert hand for spinning, weaving and creating embroidery. The art of weaving Pashmina and hand-embroidery on Pashminas has been passed on as a legacy from generation to generation in the Union Territory of Kashmir.

The Pashmina stole is packed in a Kashmir Papier Mache box which is handcrafted and coloured. The piece is hand-painted in a floral design depicting the flora and fauna of the Kashmir valley. The design used in this piece is an intricate pattern drawn with a fine thin brush. Water based colours and natural pigments have been used in this piece. Pure gold foil and paint have been used in the design which imparts a royal look to the piece. Finally, the piece is coated with lacquer which protects it from water and gives extra durability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attended the second India-Nordic summit in Denmark that primarily focused on cooperation in post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change and renewable energy. PM Modi said that there is much that India and the Nordic countries can achieve and contribute to global prosperity and sustainable development.

"The India-Nordic Summit will go a long way in boosting India's ties with the region. Together, there is much that our nations can achieve and contribute to global prosperity and sustainable development," PM Modi tweeted.

The India-Nordic Summit will go a long way in boosting India’s ties with the region. Together, there is much that our nations can achieve and contribute to global prosperity and sustainable development. pic.twitter.com/zNyiqrJFe3 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2022

The summit saw the participation of the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The first India-Nordic summit was held in Stockholm in 2018.

(With Agency Inputs)