Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a silver candle stand to Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and a Pattachitra painting to Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic.The silver candle stand is a handmade piece from Rajasthan, showing the region’s famous traditional metalwork. Made by skilled artisans, it has beautiful floral and geometric designs carved using old engraving methods. Its elegant shape and detailed patterns give it a royal and classic look.

Rajasthan, especially cities like Udaipur and Jaipur, is well known for such silver work. The designs are often inspired by palaces and temples. This candle stand is not only useful but also looks decorative. When a candle is lit in it, the silver gives off a warm glow, creating a cosy and festive feel. Its strong base and timeless design make it suitable for both modern and traditional homes. Whether used for festivals or as a daily decoration, the candle stand reflects the rich art and culture of Rajasthan.

Pattachitra painting which was gifted to Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic during PM Modi’s visit is a unique art form that comes from Odisha and is known for its colourful and detailed paintings on cloth. The name "Pattachitra" comes from “patta” meaning cloth and “Chitra” meaning picture. These paintings usually show stories from Indian mythology, especially about Lord Krishna and the Jagannath tradition. Artists use natural colours and handmade brushes to paint bold lines and detailed scenes.

Pattachitra has been practised for centuries, mainly in Raghurajpur village, and is passed down through generations. More than just decoration, this art holds spiritual meaning and was originally used in temples to help people understand religious stories.

The painting gifted to the Croatian President shows several scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, such as his childhood pranks, Ras Leela with the gopis, and lifting the Govardhan Hill. Each scene is carefully painted with natural colours and surrounded by floral borders, which are typical of this art style. The painting reflects Odisha’s rich tradition of devotion, storytelling, and craftsmanship.

PM Modi also met President Zoran Milanovic and said they had wide-ranging talks on India-Croatia ties, focusing on culture and commerce. Earlier, he also held delegation-level talks with Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb.