Varanasi painting gifted to PM Modi a cultural bridge, says Italian artist Tomassetti
Synopsis
An Italian artist's decades-long love for Indian epics and sacred sites found its most visible moment in Rome — a handmade painting of Varanasi's ghats, gifted to PM Modi, who praised it publicly on X. Tomassetti's four-decade journey from Peter Brook's Mahabharata to 23 large-canvas epics makes this far more than a diplomatic gift.
Key Takeaways
Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti presented a painting titled 'Holy Varanasi' to PM Narendra Modi during Modi's visit to Rome .
Tomassetti described the work as a 'bridge' between an Italian artist's vision and the colourful spirit of India.
The mixed-technique acrylic painting depicts the sacred Ganga ghats and took approximately two weeks to complete.
Tomassetti's engagement with Indian culture spans over four decades , including 23 large Mahabharata paintings created between 2008 and 2013 .
PM Modi praised the artist's work on X , highlighting his passion for Vedic culture and the Mahabharata.
Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti presented a vibrant painting of the sacred ghats of Varanasi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi's visit to Rome, calling the artwork a 'bridge' between an Italian artist's vision and the colourful spirit of India. The gesture has been widely seen as a symbol of deepening cultural ties between India and Italy.
The Painting and the Moment
Tomassetti described the work, which he titles 'Holy Varanasi', as a handmade mixed-technique piece using acrylic colours to portray the Ganga ghats. 'I told him that this painting was meant to show a bridge between the vision of an Italian artist and colourful India, and he appreciated that,' Tomassetti said of his exchange with the Prime Minister.
Modi reportedly asked how long the artwork took to complete. 'He asked me how long it took to make the painting, and I told him it took a couple of weeks, more or less,' the artist added. Modi also praised the work and showed keen interest in Tomassetti's broader artistic journey rooted in India's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Four Decades of Passion for Indian Culture
Tomassetti's connection to India spans more than four decades. He first encountered the Mahabharata at the age of 17 through Peter Brook's theatrical adaptation, igniting a lifelong fascination. He spent roughly five years immersing himself in the study of the epic before dedicating approximately 12 years to a core painting project, with work continuing in phases.
His artistic journey took him to Città di Castello and Perugia in Italy, and involved collaboration with the International Vedic Art Academy at Villa Vrindavan. In the 1980s, he began as an illustrator for books on Vedic culture, and between 2008 and 2013 he completed 23 large paintings relating to the Mahabharata.
Key Works Inspired by Indian Epics
Among Tomassetti's notable pieces are Partha-Sarathi — depicting Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer — the miraculous lengthening of Draupadi's sari during the dice game, and the dramatic escape of Arjuna and Subhadra from Dwarka. Other works include various battle scenes, Krishna's return to Dwarka, and Shishupala's insults towards Krishna.
'I found India extremely rich in culture, sculptures and paintings. I also studied ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana, and created artworks inspired by them,' Tomassetti said. The artworks frequently feature expansive landscapes, intricate architectural details — including an idealised Indraprastha — and expressive characters.
Modi's Response on Social Media
Prime Minister Modi took to X to praise Tomassetti's decades-long engagement with Indian culture. 'A glimpse of Kashi in Rome! Mr. Giampaolo Tomassetti, an Italian painter, presented his work on Varanasi. His passion for Indian culture goes back over four decades. In the 1980's he started as an illustrator for books on Vedic culture. From 2008 to 2013 he worked on 23 large paintings relating to the Mahabharat,' Modi wrote.
This exchange in Rome underscores the growing soft-power dimension of India's bilateral engagements, with art and culture increasingly serving as diplomatic touchpoints alongside trade and strategic partnerships.
Point of View
Globally resonant force rather than a domestic political talking point. The risk is that such moments remain episodic rather than institutionalised — Italy and India have no major cultural exchange framework that would build on encounters like this. The artwork is a bridge, as Tomassetti says, but bridges require maintenance on both ends.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What painting did Giampaolo Tomassetti present to PM Modi?
Tomassetti presented a handmade mixed-technique acrylic painting titled 'Holy Varanasi', depicting the sacred ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganga, to PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Rome. The artist said the work took approximately two weeks to complete.
Who is Giampaolo Tomassetti?
Giampaolo Tomassetti is a renowned Italian artist with over four decades of engagement with Indian culture, including Vedic texts and the Mahabharata. He began as an illustrator for books on Vedic culture in the 1980s and completed 23 large Mahabharata paintings between 2008 and 2013.
How did PM Modi respond to the painting?
Modi praised the artwork in person, asking about the time taken to create it, and later shared his appreciation publicly on X. He highlighted Tomassetti's four-decade passion for Indian culture and his extensive work on Mahabharata themes.
What other works is Tomassetti known for?
Among his notable works are Partha-Sarathi (Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer), the miraculous lengthening of Draupadi's sari, and the escape of Arjuna and Subhadra from Dwarka. His paintings are known for expansive landscapes, intricate architectural details, and expressive characters drawn from Indian epics.
Why does the Varanasi painting matter diplomatically?
The gift underscores the cultural dimension of India-Italy relations, with art serving as a soft-power bridge alongside trade and strategic ties. Modi's public acknowledgement on X elevated the exchange from a private courtesy to a visible statement on India's civilisational reach.
