During his visit to France as the Guest of Honour on the occasion of Bastille Day Parade this year, PM Narendra Modi has gifted a sandalwood replica of musical instrument Sitar to French President Emmanuel Macron while for the First Lady Brigitte Macron, the prime minister had a Pochampally silk ikat housed a sandalwood box, officials said on Friday.
It has been reported that the decorative replica of the quintessential Indian classical music instrument Sitar gifted to the president carried images of Devi Saraswati, who is revered as the Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom and learning.
The unique replica made of pure sandalwood also represented the coveted art of sandalwood carving which is an exquisite example of the ancient craft that has been practised in southern India for centuries. The piece is also illustrated with peacocks, the national bird of India and embellished with intricate carvings that reflect the myriad motifs from Indian culture.
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On the other hand, the Pochampally silk ikat fabric which was gifted to the president's wife, has strong roots in Pochampally town in Telangana. It is considered as a mesmerizing testament to India's rich textile heritage.
This particular silk fabric is renowned for its intricate designs and vibrant colours that encapsulates the beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of India, making it a true treasure in the world of textiles..
Beside the predisent and his wife, PM Modi also gifted a marble inlay work table to his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne.
It is one of the most attractive artworks done on marble, using semi-precious stones. The base marble is found in Makrana, a town in Rajasthan, famous for high-quality marble, officials said.
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Gerard Larcher, president of the French Senate was presented a sandalwood hand-carved elephant Ambavari while a hand-knitted silk Kashmiri carpet was the gift of Modi's choice for French National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet.
