NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his official X (formerly Twitter) handle a fresh look, featuring a captivating image of the Nataraja statue currently gracing the G20 venue at Pragati Maidan in Delhi. India is gearing up to host this year's G20 summit, scheduled to commence on September 9th. As the host nation, India has spared no effort in making elaborate preparations to welcome leaders from around the world, representing the globe's major economies. India assumed the role of G20 presidency on December 1st last year, and since then, approximately 200 G20-related meetings have taken place in 60 cities across the country.
The cover photo on PM Modi's X handle serves as a visual representation of one of the numerous initiatives undertaken by the central government in preparation for the G20 gathering.
The Nataraja statue, weighing a staggering 18 tonnes, claims the title of being the tallest sculpture crafted from Ashtadhatu, a combination of eight different metals, as confirmed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA). These metals include copper, zinc, lead, tin, silver, gold, mercury, and iron.
The photograph encapsulates the essence of Lord Shiva as the 'lord of dance,' proudly standing in front of the Bharat Mandapam. Captured at night, the statue radiates a mesmerizing glow under the backdrop of purple lights that adorn the G20 venue.
Remarkably, this awe-inspiring creation was brought to life by sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapaty from Swami Malai in Tamil Nadu, along with his team, in a record-breaking seven-month period. To expedite its journey from Tamil Nadu to Delhi, a dedicated green corridor was established.
The Nataraja statue was meticulously crafted using the lost-wax casting method, ensuring the creation of finely detailed single-piece sculptures without any welded parts—a true testament to the craftsmanship involved. The statue was completed at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 10-12 crore, all in preparation for the grand G20 summit, as confirmed by Sachchidanand Joshi, the member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA).
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