Both leaders also enjoyed a thrilling cultural performance at the centuries-old Shore Temple with the Bay of Bengal in the backdrop.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gifted Chinese President Xi Jinping Nachiarkoli - a branched Annam Lamp - and Thanjavur Painting of Dancing Saraswati during the second India-China informal summit in Mahabalipuram near Chennai.
Earlier, both leaders enjoyed a thrilling cultural performance at the centuries-old Shore Temple with the Bay of Bengal in the backdrop.
Kick-starting the second informal summit, Prime Minister Modi took the visiting Chinese dignitary on a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, before settling down for the colourful performances.
1. PM Modi's gift to Xi Jinping
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The lamps were originally made in the Nachiarkoil by a community known as the Pathers, who migrated from Nagercoil in the erstwhile state of Travancore to Kumbakonam and then to Nachiarkli in 1857. This Nachiarkil Annam Lamp is made of bronze and resplendently gold-coated. It is six feet tall and weighs 108 kgs.
Thanjavur painting is also known as Palagai Padam (paintings on wood) is an ancient, miniature form of painting that gets its name after the city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. This art form dates back to the 16th and 18th centuries and evolved during the reign of Natyaka and Maratha kings, Traditionally practised by two major communities - the Rajus and Naidus, this art form was considered very sacred, The subjects of most paintings are Hindu gods, goddesses and saints depicts episodes from Hindu puranas and other religious texts.
2. PM Modi, Xi Jinping visit Shore Temple
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PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping visit Shore Temple monuments in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
3. Sunset in Mamallapuram
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PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping visit Shore Temple monuments in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
4. At Pancha Rathas complex
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PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Pancha Rathas complex in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
5. PM Modi gives Chinese President tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites
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Kick-starting the second informal summit, Prime Minister Modi took the visiting Chinese dignitary on a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, before settling down for the colourful performances. The city is famed for its temples and architecture which date back to the Pallava Dynasty.
6. Veshti-wearing Modi welcomes Jinping
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Xi was received in the coastal city by a veshti-wearing Modi earlier in the day. While the Chinese President opted for a relaxed outfit comprising of a crisp white full-sleeved shirt and black trousers, Modi looked like a true son of the soil in a veshti, angvastram and a white half-sleeved shirt for the first day of the informal summit.
The meeting is a follow up to the inaugural summit which was held in Wuhan from April 27 to 28 last year.
