Modi gifted Argentine Vice-President Victoria Villarruel a Madhubani painting, showcasing the cultural identity of Bihar. Additionally, his speeches in Trinidad and Tobago turned the spotlight on Bihar, highlighting the tradition of serving food on ‘sohari‘ or cigar plant leaves and Bhojpuri folk songs of ‘chaita‘.
In Trinidad and Tobago, Modi began his address to the Indian diaspora with “Sita Ram” and “Jai Shree Ram” chants in a reference to Ramlila, which is celebrated not only in the entire Awadh region in current-day Uttar Pradesh, and adjoining Bhojpur region in current-day Bihar, but also in Trinidad and Tobago.
After the completion of the Ayodhya Ram temple, the Bihar cabinet, only last week, approved the construction of another grand temple, this time for Sita, at her birthplace of Sitamarhi at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore.
Modi will likely lay the foundation stone of a Sita temple at Sitamarhi before the state elections.
His Bihar outreach reached a high point on 4 July when Modi called Persad-Bissessar “Bihar ki beti” during his address at a joint session of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to give a speech at the Red House.
Naming other eminent Trinidad and Tobago nationals with an India connection, including President Christine Carla Kangaloo, scholar Rudranath Capildeo, and music icon Sundar Popo, among others, Modi added, “Descendants of ‘Girmitiyas’ are no longer defined by struggle, but by their success, service, and values.”
‘Girmitiyas’ refer to Indian indentured labourers forced to go to other British colonies in the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily to work at plantations.
Kamla received from Modi a replica of the Ram Temple and water from the Saryu, a river famous for flowing through Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, another state, like Bihar, with similar links to Trinidad and Tobago.
The significance of the upcoming Bihar elections on his mind, Modi sprinkled Bhojpuri in his speeches in Trinidad and Tobago while using the soft power of Bihar and the gifts symbolising its culture to win hearts in the Caribbean nation, and to some extent, in Argentina.
In another instance, when Modi sent Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and Kiren Rijiju as special envoys to the 6 July celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, the Union ministers did not miss the opportunity to highlight the historical and cultural connection between Bihar and Buddhism. Considered the birthplace of Buddhism, Bihar boasts numerous significant Buddhist sites, including Nalanda and Vikramshila.
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A woman PM with Bihar roots
Using Bhojpuri in his address before the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Modi said, “You left Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayan in your hearts. You left your soil but not your soul. You were not just migrants but messengers of timeless civilisation. Banaras, Patna, Kolkata, and Delhi may be cities in India, but here, they are also names of streets. Navratri, Maha Shivratri, and Janmashtami are celebrated here with joy, spirit, and pride. I know your deep faith in Prabhu Ram.”
Specifically, the Prime Minister referred to Patna, the capital of Bihar, to remind people that there is a Patna Street in Trinidad and Tobago.
He praised Kamla again and again, not only to strengthen diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago but also to send a message to women voters in Bihar—how one woman, with roots in Bihar, is now the prime minister of another country.
Kamla’s ancestral town of Buxar is known as the gateway to Bhojpur.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the significance of Bhojpur was evident as the BJP lost two key seats in the belt—Buxar, where RJD candidate Sudhakar Singh won after the BJP denied a ticket to Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, and Ara, where Union Minister R.K. Singh lost. Both seats have a strong presence of RJD and CPI(ML).
Bhojpur remains crucial for the NDA in the upcoming state elections.
Another display of Bihar symbolism was the traditional Indian attire of several parliamentarians welcoming the Indian Prime Minister on 3 July in the Port of Spain, where Modi enjoyed a Bhojpuri ‘chautaal’ performance of folk songs. Later, from Modi’s X handle, a post in Bhojpuri language was uploaded, praising the significance of Bhojpuri folk singing, especially ‘chaita’. Several Bihar BJP leaders shared the post.
At the welcome ceremony, Modi appreciated the vibrant performance, highlighting the enduring cultural bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago.
BJP Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde posted on X that the Prime Minister also joined in the ‘chaita‘ singing. Modi later posted on X, “A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern UP and Bihar is noteworthy (sic).”
Sung in Bhojpuri across Bihar, especially Bhojpur district, and eastern Uttar Pradesh during the month of ‘chaitra’, ‘chaita’ expresses joy, love, and nature.
Professor Diwakar Pandey from the department of Bhojpuri language at Veer Kunwar Singh University in Ara, told The Print, “Chaita is a celebration of devotion to the gods of the season. After Holi, in the Bhojpur region, different tolis (groups) of people sing chaita. Once the gol (lead singing group) is chosen, the singing continues throughout chaitra.”
“Kamla ji’s ancestors are from Buxar, and the Prime Minister’s praise of Bhojpur and Bihar’s cultural heritage abroad signified the importance of Bihar. Elections are fought not only on the ground but also in mind. Symbolism in politics has helped BJP reach a broader base in Bihar.”
The dinner for Modi and Kamla also had a Bihar link—the main highlight was not the mouth-watering menu but how the food was served on ‘sohari‘ leaves. In many parts of Bhojpur, food is traditionally served on cigar plant/banana leaves. The word ‘sohari’ comes from Bhojpuri and means ‘food for the gods’. The leaves are commonly used in religious ceremonies in Bihar.
Bigger political messaging
Forty percent of Trinidad and Tobago’s population have Indian ancestry. According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, nearly 5.5 lakh people of Indian origin reside in the Caribbean nation. Of them, most hail from Indian indentured labourers who arrived between 1845 and 1917. There are also 1,800 Non-Resident Indians in Trinidad and Tobago.
On the last leg of his trip in Argentina, Modi gifted a Madhubani painting of the Sun to Victoria Eugenia Villarruel, showcasing one of the oldest Indian folk traditions from the Mithila region of Bihar. Renowned for bold lines, intricate patterns, and natural colours, Madhubani art traditionally adorned walls. Earlier in June, Modi gifted another Madhubani painting to Korean President Lee Jae-myung during the G7 summit.
A Bihar BJP leader said, “Before Modi, several prime ministers used to visit many countries to build diplomatic relationships, but they never used such opportunities to praise the cultural diversity of the states. In every foreign trip, the PM tells the world of our rich cultural heritage via such exchanges. It has its impact not only on the diaspora but the domestic audience, too.”
To visit the Dalai Lama, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, was an obvious choice. However, the choice of Lallan Singh from Bihar, where many holy places of the Buddhist community stand today, was political. It sent a message to the Buddhist community and also highlighted Bihar’s historical and spiritual significance.
Bodh Gaya, the site of Buddha’s enlightenment, and Nalanda, a renowned medieval Buddhist monastery, are significant sites for Buddhists. Nalanda is also the home district of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
One of BJP’s senior leaders said, “Picking up Lallan Singh was a thought-out decision. Otherwise, Arunachal Chief Minister [Pema Khandu] and Kiren Rijiju are practising Buddhists. By picking an alliance partner minister from Bihar, known as ‘Buddha land’, the PM used this opportunity not only for diplomacy but for bigger political messaging.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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