During his historic visit to Croatia — the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister — Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted two culturally rich Indian handicrafts to the country’s top leadership, highlighting India’s diverse artistic heritage.
PM Modi presented a Pattachitra painting to Croatia’s President Zoran Milanović. Pattachitra is a traditional art form from Odisha, celebrated for its intricate and colorful paintings on cloth. The name derives from ‘patta’ (cloth) and ‘chitra’ (picture).
This particular painting depicted episodes from Lord Krishna’s life, including his childhood mischief, the Ras Leela (divine dance with the gopis), and the lifting of Govardhan Hill. These scenes were framed with detailed floral borders, painted using natural colours and handmade brushes, a hallmark of the art form. Originating in the heritage village of Raghurajpur, Pattachitra art has been passed down through generations and holds deep spiritual significance in Odisha’s Jagannath tradition.
To Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, PM Modi gifted a silver candle stand, a fine example of Rajasthan’s traditional metalwork. Crafted by skilled artisans from cities like Jaipur and Udaipur, the candle stand features engraved floral and geometric patterns, reflecting designs inspired by palaces and temples.
The handcrafted piece not only serves as elegant home décor but also showcases India’s mastery in silver craftsmanship. When lit, the candle stand gives off a warm glow, adding a royal touch to any space.
During this three-nation tour, PM Modi also visited Cyprus and Canada before arriving in Zagreb, Croatia. In his meetings with Croatian leaders, PM Modi held wide-ranging talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, science, technology, defence, renewable energy, AI, and tourism.
He expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Croatia and emphasized the beginning of a new chapter in India-Croatia relations, rooted in shared values and rich cultural exchanges.
“Had extensive discussions on the full range of India-Croatia friendship, including ways to boost linkages of commerce and culture,” PM Modi wrote on X after meeting President Milanović.
