Puri: Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, travelled to Raghurajpur artists’ village and Sun Temple at Konark in Puri district on Saturday.
He was accompanied by the First Lady of Singapore.
According to sources, they spent more than an hour at Raghurajpur heritage village and purchased two Pattachitra paintings, one on the theme of Ramayana and another on Lord Ganesh. He also interacted with the artists on Pattachitra paintings, palm leaf engraving and other kinds of traditional crafts.
Shanmugaratnam then visited the 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark, where tourists were not allowed inside the premises till noon in view of the security arrangements for the dignitaries.
“We informed him about the people’s lifestyle across various civilizations of the world and human emotions described in the stonework at the temple. We also apprised him of the shape of stone statues at the Konark temple. He was really happy,” Abhas Mohanty, a guide, told PTI.
They were accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
The Singapore President is scheduled to visit a Bharat Biotech vaccine manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar later in the day.
On Friday evening, Shanmugaratnam along with his spouse spent around four hours at ‘Kalabhoomi’ and appreciated the art, handicraft and handloom of Odisha. He also spent time at the Jagannath Gallery, showcasing spiritual consciousness and traditions of the state.
He enquired about the weaving techniques of Karuna Silk, Kotpad, Sambalpuri, and Manibandha sarees at the handicrafts and handloom gallery. The First Lady of Singapore also bought a saree from ‘Kalabhoomi’ and made the payment through UPI.
Odisha Governor Dr Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were present on the occasion.
The President later watched a cultural programme, reflecting close ties between India and Singapore, and attended a dinner reception. Besides Odissi, a fusion dance of Odisha and Singapore was performed on the occasion. They were served traditional Odia food, sources added.
