Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted artworks representing various Indian art forms to world leaders at the recent QUAD Summit held in Tokyo. These were intended not only as gifts but also to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and art forms. Each of these art forms has its separate historical background, traditional methods and special significance which will be explored in this article.
Sanjhi Art Panel: A Gift for the US President
The US President received a Sanjhi Art Panel from PM Modi. This intricate artwork is based on the popular theme of Thakurani Ghat, one of the famous ghats near the holy river Yamuna in Gokul. It’s a traditional art form linked with the worship of Lord Krishna, where artists create stencils illustrating episodes from Krishna’s life and then carefully cut these out from thin paper sheets.
Originating from the cult of Krishna, this art technique has evolved over the centuries. Initially, the stencils were crafted from coarse paper or banana leaves. But now, it involves handmade and recycled paper. The term ‘sanjhi’ stems from the word ‘sanjh’, meaning dusk, and relates to the tradition of crafting rangolis in temples at twilight.
Sanjhi art gained popularity during the 15th and 16th centuries, promoted by Vaishnava temples and practised by priests. With time, contemporary themes were introduced during the Mughal period, and several families continue the practice even today. In fact, the pictograms for the 2010 Commonwealth Games were inspired by this traditional Sanjhi art.
Gond Art Painting: A Gift for the Australian PM
Presented to the Australian Prime Minister was a Gond art painting, an age-old art form practised by the Gond community, one of India’s largest tribal groups in Madhya Pradesh. The visual manifestation of this art form is traditionally attributed to Jangarh Shyam, who started illustrating the tribal myths and legends on home walls in the village of Patangarh during the 1970s and ’80s.
Gond art is known for its distinctive patterns, dots, waves and squiggles that tell tales about their deities, as well as the local flora and fauna. A common motif in Gond art – the Tree of Life, which features intricate patterns and lines, was depicted in the painting given to the Australian PM.
Rogan Painting: A Gift for the Japanese PM
The Japanese Prime Minister received a wooden hand-carved box showcasing Rogan art, a cloth painting art form with a history spanning over four centuries. Predominantly practised in the Kutch district of Gujarat, the word ‘rogan’ is of Persian origin and translates to varnish or oil.
Creating Rogan art involves the use of paint made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes. Castor seeds are pounded by hand to extract oil which is then boiled to create a paste. Coloured powder diluted in water is mixed with this paste to create different coloured paints. These are then stored in earthen pots ready for use.
Artists place a small amount of the paint paste into their palms and twirl it with a rod to create a textured appearance on the cloth. Interestingly, the rod never really touches the cloth, but is instead moved above it as the artist draws thin lines on the fabric. While this art form was originally practised only by men, nowadays many women in Gujarat also engage in it.
Each of these gifts, rooted in a rich cultural context, highlights the diversity and richness of India’s artistic heritage. They are tangible examples of the country’s vibrant traditions, standing as symbols of its storied past and dynamic present.