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Brass dokra horse to Madhubani painting: A look at PM Modi's gifts for Presidents of Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, S Korea

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Canada to attend the G7 Summit, held from June 16-17, has gifted a brass dokra horse to the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This brass horse from Chhattisgarh is a handmade artwork created using an ancient metal casting method called the lost-wax technique. Made by tribal artisans, each piece is unique and shows a mix of traditional and modern styles.

In tribal culture, the horse stands for power, loyalty, and devotion. Such figures are often used in rituals as offerings to gods. The horse is decorated with fine details like twisted wire designs, bells, and harnesses, all made in brass.

Dokra art has been practised in Chhattisgarh for over 4,000 years and is still kept alive by tribal communities. This sculpture is more than decoration--it's a symbol of tribal heritage, spiritual meaning, and skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations.

PM Modi gifted a Madhubani painting to the South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

Madhubani Painting, also called Mithila Art, is a famous traditional art form from Bihar. It is mostly done by women and passed down through generations. These colourful paintings were originally made on mud walls during festivals and weddings to seek blessings.

Now created on paper, cloth, and canvas, the art is known for bold outlines, bright colours, and detailed designs. Common themes include flowers, animals, gods, and stories from Indian epics. Artists use natural dyes and tools like twigs or fingers, making the art eco-friendly. Madhubani paintings are not just beautiful--they tell stories of love, nature, and devotion, and are now appreciated around the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a warli painting to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Warli Painting is a traditional tribal art from the Warli community in Maharashtra. It is one of the oldest and simplest forms of Indian folk art, using white rice paste on mud walls or backgrounds. Instead of gods or mythological stories, Warli paintings show scenes from everyday life, like farming, fishing, dancing, and village celebrations.

The art uses basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares to create beautiful stories. One common image is the "tarpa dance," where people dance in a circle, showing unity and joy. Squares often represent sacred places or the earth goddess.

Warli paintings were originally made during special events like weddings or harvests, but now they are seen on paper, clothes, and even modern products. Though simple in look, Warli art carries deep messages about nature, community, and life.

PM Modi has gifted a cane and bamboo boat with a swan figurine to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This Cane and Bamboo Boat with a Swan Figurine is a beautiful handmade craft from Meghalaya. Made using natural materials like cane and bamboo, the boat is eco-friendly and tells a story of the region's culture.

The swan at the front stands for grace and beauty, while the tall, temple-like structure in the middle shows a connection between nature and spirituality. Tiny details like stairs, sails, and flags make the design even more special.

Crafts like this are made by Khasi and Garo tribal artisans using weaving and tying methods passed down through generations, without any nails or glue. The boat is both a decorative piece and a cultural symbol, showing Meghalaya's respect for nature and tradition. Light but strong, it is a wonderful example of sustainable and artistic craftsmanship.

TAGS: dokra art,   Madhubani Painting,   warli painting,   cane and bamboo art from Meghalaya,