Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by his wife, visited Raghurajpur, a heritage crafts village, and the iconic 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark in Puri.
The couple received a warm welcome at Raghurajpur, greeted by traditional Gotipua dance and other cultural performances. They spent over an hour at the village, renowned for its rich artistic heritage, including Pattachitra art, Tala Patra Chitra (palm leaf engravings), stone sculptures, and Gotipua semi-classical dance.
During their visit, the President and his wife interacted with the local artists and purchased two Pattachitra paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and images of Lord Ganesh.
President Shanmugaratnam was also gifted a handmade painting by young artist Ayush Mohapatra, which featured the President and the First Lady set against the backdrop of the Puri Jagannath Temple.
The couple later visited the majestic Sun Temple at Konark, where they were welcomed by officials from the Archaeological Survey of India. To ensure their safety, the Puri police had implemented extensive security measures for the visit.
Earlier, on Friday, President Shanmugaratnam had spent four hours at Kala Bhoomi, the Handicrafts Museum in Bhubaneswar, where he praised Odisha's rich art, handloom, and craftsmanship. He was joined by Odisha Governor Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. At Kala Bhoomi, the President explored various galleries, with particular attention to the Jagannath Gallery, and admired the spiritual and cultural essence of Odisha that was beautifully showcased in the exhibits.
A memorable moment during the visit occurred when the President's wife purchased a saree, making the transaction through UPI, highlighting India’s leadership in digital payments. The couple was also treated to a traditional Odia dinner, followed by a cultural program that featured both Odissi dance and a fusion of Odisha and Singaporean dance styles. President Shanmugaratnam expressed his admiration for Odissi music and dance, calling it a unique and captivating art form.
