An e-auction of over 1,300 gifts received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held from September 17 to October 2. These include a Thanjavur painting of Ram Darbar, a metal Nataraja statue, and a handwoven Naga shawl.
The seventh edition of the online auction will begin on Modi’s birthday, when he turns 75 on Wednesday.
The latest edition of the e-auction of the Prime Minister’s mementos was announced at a press conference held at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
The first edition of the e-auction was held in January 2019.
Since then, thousands of unique gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been auctioned, raising over ₹50 crore in support of the Namami Gange project.
Over 1,300 gifts received by the Prime Minister will be auctioned online.
These items include paintings, artifacts, sculptures, idols of deities, and some sports memorabilia.
Modi is the first Prime Minister of the country to dedicate all his mementos for this noble cause.
The e-auction includes embroidered Pashmina shawls, a Thanjavur painting of Ram Darbar, a Nataraja statue, Gujarat’s Rogan art, a handwoven Naga shawl, and more.
A special attraction of this edition are the sports-related memorabilia gifted by India’s para-athletes who participated in the Paris Paralympics 2024. These items symbolize the resilience, excellence, and indomitable spirit of Indian sports.
Thanjavur painting of Ram Darbar
The Thanjavur painting of Ram Darbar is a classical South Indian art form originating in the 16th century Maratha court of Thanjavur. It is characterized by its rich colors, gold foil gilding, and iconic depictions of deities, with the Ram Darbar theme specifically portraying Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman in a royal assembly. This style is renowned for its embossed, jewel-like appearance and remains a celebrated part of India’s cultural heritage.
Nataraja statue
The Nataraja statue is a renowned Hindu sculpture depicting Shiva as the cosmic dancer, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. Originating from the Chola dynasty in southern India (circa 9th-13th centuries), these bronze masterpieces represent a pinnacle of Indian art and spiritual philosophy.
Naga shawl
The Naga shawl is a traditional textile from the Nagaland region of Northeast India, woven and worn by the various Naga tribes. Historically, these shawls were not just garments but served as markers of tribal identity, social status, and achievements in warfare and headhunting. Their intricate patterns and bold colors, such as the famous red and black stripes of the warrior shawls, carry deep cultural and symbolic meaning.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), established in 1954, is India’s premier institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It was founded by the Government of India with the aim of preserving the country’s rich artistic heritage from the 1850s onward. The gallery’s main branch is in New Delhi, with additional locations in Mumbai and Bengaluru, and it houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs by renowned Indian artists.
Pashmina shawls
Pashmina shawls are luxurious accessories handcrafted from the fine wool of Changthangi goats, native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. This craft has a rich history, originating in Kashmir, India, where it was patronized by Mughal emperors and later became a coveted export to European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, they remain a symbol of exquisite craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
Rogan art
Rogan art is a traditional Persian textile art from Iran, known for its intricate patterns painted with a pen and a colorful, oil-based paste. The craft, which dates back at least to the Safavid dynasty (16th-18th centuries), is practiced by only a few remaining artists, primarily in the city of Isfahan. It is recognized for its cultural significance and is often used to decorate cloth items like tableaus and garments.
Namami Gange project
The Namami Gange project is a major Indian government initiative launched in 2014 to comprehensively clean and rejuvenate the Ganges River, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. It integrates efforts to reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable use of the river, building upon previous, less successful cleanup attempts. The mission combines infrastructure development with public awareness campaigns to restore the river’s health.
Paris Paralympics 2024
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are an upcoming major international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities, scheduled to take place from 28 August to 8 September 2024. They will be the 17th Summer Paralympic Games and will follow the Olympic Games, using many of the same venues in Paris and throughout France.
