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Project Mausam: An Initiative to Revive Shared Maritime Heritage
The ‘Project Mausam’ exhibition, developed by Design Factory India for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, introduces visitors to the shared maritime heritage shaped by monsoon winds and the cultural connections that developed across the Indian Ocean region over more than two thousand years.
‘Project Mausam’ is an important initiative of the Ministry of Culture aimed at reviving ancient cultural, historical and maritime relations among countries connected through the Indian Ocean. Through research, conservation, documentation and international cooperation, the project is strengthening centuries-old cultural exchanges and promoting intercultural dialogue.
The exhibition highlights the concept of a multinational World Heritage nomination to UNESCO, focusing on historical trade routes, coastal settlements, religious networks and cultural landscapes as shared global heritage.The exhibition begins with an immersive film showcasing maritime trade routes influenced by monsoon winds and cultural exchanges across the Indian Ocean region. Under the ‘Sail with the Monsoon’ activity, visitors create origami boats and share their thoughts on common heritage. Through the ‘Discover Shared Heritage’ digital interactive platform, visitors can explore information about shared heritage sites of India and Indian Ocean countries.
‘Brihattar Bharat’: Showcasing India’s Cultural Relations with the World
The ‘Brihattar Bharat’ exhibition presents India’s cultural relations and shared intangible heritage with the world. The exhibition highlights thousands of years of cultural, spiritual, intellectual and artistic exchanges between India and various countries.The exhibition explains that much before the creation of modern political boundaries, India maintained close cultural links with Asia, Africa and other parts of the world through traders, Buddhist monks, scholars, artists and travellers.
It highlights that the concept of ‘Brihattar Bharat’ is not related to political expansion but represents cultural dialogue, exchange of knowledge and shared human values.The exhibition presents examples such as Emperor Ashoka’s propagation of Buddhism in Suvarnabhumi, Indonesia’s Kutai inscriptions and the contributions of Malik Ambar, reflecting India’s historical cultural connections with the world.It also showcases Indonesia’s Prambanan Temple, Wayang Kulit tradition, Vietnam’s Balamon Cham community, Thailand’s Vedic traditions and cultural exchanges along the Silk Route.
Ancient inscriptions, manuscripts and the Nalanda copper plate inscription provide evidence of shared history. Examples such as the ‘Hikayat Seri Rama’ written in Malaysia’s Jawi script and the construction of a monastery at Nalanda University by Indonesian ruler Balaputradeva highlight India’s deep cultural influence.
Musical instruments, dance traditions and architectural heritage are among the major attractions of the exhibition. China’s Pipa, India’s Veena, Uzbekistan’s Rubab that evolved into the Sarod, Thailand’s Khon dance, Vietnam’s Cham Apsara dance, Borobudur, My Son Temple, the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb reflect the richness of shared cultural heritage.The exhibition presents the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- One Earth, One Family, One Future”, highlighting culture as a medium for connecting the world.
‘Gyan Bharatam’: Digital Preservation of Indian Knowledge Heritage
‘Gyan Bharatam’ is a flagship national initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, aimed at surveying ancient manuscripts, scientific preservation, AI-based digitisation and promoting global research on India’s knowledge traditions.Under this initiative, more than 1.19 crore manuscripts have been documented so far. Through digital displays and interactive platforms, the exhibition presents India’s manuscript heritage, preservation efforts and the use of modern technology.Visitors are being introduced to rare manuscripts related to mathematics, philosophy, literature, spirituality and Vedic knowledge.
Major attractions include the 16th-century manuscript ‘Lilavati’, 18th-century ‘Rekhaganita’, ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Gita’ preserved on a silicon wafer, ‘Shri Kalika Kavacham’, illustrated ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Gita’, ‘Sarvadev Darshan Stotra’, 15th-century ‘Panchatantra’ and Maharishi Yaska’s ‘Nirukta’.These manuscripts showcase India’s rich contribution to mathematics, philosophy, literature, linguistics and spiritual traditions.
Madhya Pradesh Pavilion Showcases State’s Tourism and Cultural Heritage
The Madhya Pradesh Pavilion at the BRICS Culture Conference has emerged as a major attraction for delegates from India and abroad. Based on the replica of the main gateway of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanchi Stupa, the pavilion presents the state’s natural, cultural and tourism heritage. The pavilion introduces visitors to Madhya Pradesh’s tourism potential and cultural diversity. Major tiger reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls and eco-tourism destinations, along with heritage sites such as Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Mandu, Gwalior, Orchha and Maheshwar, have been showcased.Through modern visual displays, promotional material and tourism literature, visitors are being provided information about wildlife tourism, heritage tourism, spiritual tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism and experiential tourism opportunities of Madhya Pradesh.
Traditional art forms including music, terracotta craft, Gond painting and Nandana block printing are also being displayed at the pavilion. Artists Rahul Shrivas, Laxminarayan Prajapati, Akash Kumar, Jayanti Kushram, Vinod Malewar and Nandkumar Sahu are presenting the cultural richness of Madhya Pradesh on the global platform. Products prepared by self-help groups, farmers and local producers under the ‘Vindhya Valley’ brand are also being displayed.
India’s Cultural Heritage Receives Global Recognition
The exhibitions ‘Project Mausam’, ‘Greater India’ and ‘Gyan Bharatam’ organised during the BRICS Culture Conference are effectively showcasing India’s maritime heritage, knowledge traditions and shared cultural legacy at the global level.The Madhya Pradesh Pavilion is also playing an important role in promoting the state’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, folk and tribal arts and local products internationally.These exhibitions reflect the Indian ideals of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, strengthening cultural cooperation, mutual understanding and closer relations among BRICS countries.
