Marble chess from Agra reaches Kremlin, delights local artisans

Agra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to gift a handcrafted marble chess set from Agra to Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked pride and excitement among the city’s artisans and exporters.

Agra, renowned globally for its marble handicrafts, hosts a robust industry with several leading export units. Local craftsmen say the Prime Minister’s gesture has given a major boost to their morale and international visibility.

Marble artisan Umar, who has been in the trade for nearly two decades, termed the move “historic” and a milestone for traditional Indian art. India’s age-old craftsmanship, he said, is now gaining renewed recognition on the global stage.

According to him, each marble chess set takes around 10 to 15 days of meticulous handwork. The stone used is sourced from countries such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and Italy, and is then transformed in Agra’s workshops into fine marble art pieces.

Umar expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for showcasing the hard work of Agra’s artisans on such a prominent international platform. The gesture, he added, is likely to push up global demand for marble handicrafts and generate more employment for small artisans.

Echoing this sentiment, Adnan Sheikh, who runs an export house dealing in marble handicrafts, said the gift carries strong diplomatic and cultural significance. Presenting a marble chess set to the head of another nation, he observed, reflects Modi’s confident global outreach and gives worldwide recognition to Agra’s distinctive artistic identity.

Describing the gifting of the chess set as a “revolutionary step”, Sheikh said it would yield long-term benefits for both artisans and businesses. By presenting this handcrafted piece, he added, the Prime Minister has not merely offered a product, but has also promoted a deeper cultural exchange between nations.

(Inputs from IANS)