Feast for the eyes: Cultural artefacts from G20 countries at Delhi venue

NEW DELHI: A copy of the Magna Carta from the United Kingdom, copies of the Charters of Freedom from the USA, a Fahua lidded jar from the Qing dynasty, and a leaf out of the Rig Veda containing a 'shloka' that underscores India's democratic roots are some of the artefacts that will be on display at the culture corridor at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the G20 Leaders Summit.
The artefacts, both physical and digital, have been loaned to India by participating nations for the first-of-its kind 'museum-in-the-making' initiative under India's G20 presidency.
The pop-up museum, apart from emphasising the message of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam' - One Earth, One Family, One Future, will not only showcase objects of iconic cultural significance, but also tangible, intangible and natural heritage, alongside artefacts pertaining to member countries' democratic practises.
The cultural display of the best and most valuable cultural assets of all participating nations, which India hopes will become a legacy project that future G20 presidencies carry forward, is built over nearly 3,000 sq ft of the Bharat Mandapam and will allow the visiting dignitaries to engage with the displays as they move in and out of their meetings.
While India's submissions across categories includes the original text of Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi'- a discourse on the grammar, phonetics and syntax of Sanskrit - and the Rig Veda, its intangible cultural heritage - Yoga, the Kumbh Mela, Vedic chanting, the lost wax tradition of bronze sculpting, and the double ikkat Patola weave from Patan, Gujarat - will be displayed on a 'digital wall' alongside Russia's Bolshoi ballet, and Turkiye's traditional archery.
It will also have digital displays of the 16th century Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece 'Mona Lisa', Germany's Gutenberg Bible, a digital sculpture of Mexico's Aztec Goddess Coatlicue, and a Japanese Kosode, predating the modern-day kimono.
In the category of natural heritage, while USA has decided to showcase the Grand Canyon and Australia The Great Barrier Reef, India will showcase the Himalayas, the Indian Ocean - the only water body to be named after a country - The Ganges, Meghalaya's Living Roots Bridge, and the Royal Bengal Tiger as the country's natural heritage. The Bhimbhetka cave paintings will be showcased as India's iconic cultural masterpiece.
The culture corridor, officials said, is expected to be thrown open to the public for viewing once the G20 Leaders Summit concludes, and before the loaned artefacts are returned to the host countries.