Special Exhibitions Showcase India's Rich Cultural Heritage at BRICS Sanskriti Sammelan
The BRICS Sanskriti Sammelan is being held from August 5 to 8 at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal. As part of the conference, three special exhibitions—Project Mausam, Greater India and Gyan Bharatam—have been curated to showcase India's rich cultural heritage, maritime civilisation, knowledge traditions and the shared cultural ties among BRICS nations. The exhibitions have emerged as major attractions for delegates and visitors.
Project Mausam: Reviving the Shared Maritime Heritage
Developed by Design Factory India for the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Project Mausam exhibition takes visitors on a historical journey through the shared maritime heritage shaped by monsoon winds and the cultural connections that evolved across the Indian Ocean region over more than two millennia.
Project Mausam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture aimed at reviving the ancient links among Indian Ocean countries through their shared cultural, historical and maritime heritage. Through research, conservation, documentation and international collaboration, the initiative seeks to strengthen centuries-old cultural ties and promote intercultural dialogue.
Visitors begin their experience with an immersive film illustrating how monsoon winds shaped maritime trade routes and cultural exchanges across the Indian Ocean.
Greater India: Celebrating India's Enduring Cultural Connections with the World
The Greater India – India's Cultural Connections and Shared Intangible Heritage with the World exhibition highlights the cultural, spiritual, intellectual and artistic ties that have linked India with countries across Asia, Africa and beyond for thousands of years.
It illustrates how, long before the emergence of modern political boundaries, India was connected with the world through traders, Buddhist monks, scholars, artists and travellers. The exhibition makes it clear that the concept of Greater India is not one of political expansion but a symbol of cultural dialogue, knowledge exchange and shared human values.
Gyan Bharatam: Preserving India's Knowledge Tradition Through Digital Innovation
Gyan Bharatam is a flagship national initiative of the Ministry of Culture dedicated to surveying, scientifically preserving, AI-enabled digitisation and global dissemination of India's ancient manuscripts. Under the initiative, more than 11.9 million manuscripts have already been documented.
The exhibition uses digital displays and interactive installations to showcase India's knowledge traditions, manuscript conservation efforts and the application of modern technology. Visitors can explore rare manuscripts on mathematics, philosophy, literature, spirituality and Vedic knowledge.
Madhya Pradesh Pavilion Showcases the State's Tourism and Cultural Heritage
A specially designed Madhya Pradesh Pavilion has also become a major attraction for delegates from India and abroad. Inspired by the iconic Main Torana Gateway of the UNESCO World Heritage Sanchi Stupa, the pavilion showcases the state's natural beauty, cultural wealth and tourism potential, while introducing international visitors to Madhya Pradesh's diverse heritage.
The pavilion features the state's renowned tiger reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls and eco-tourism destinations, alongside iconic heritage sites such as Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Mandu, Gwalior, Orchha and Maheshwar. Through modern visual displays, promotional material and tourism literature, visitors receive comprehensive information on Madhya Pradesh's wildlife, heritage, spiritual, rural, adventure and experiential tourism offerings.
The pavilion also showcases traditional art forms such as music, terracotta craft, Gond painting and Nandana block printing. Artists Rahul Shrivas, Laxminarayan Prajapati, Akash Kumar, Jayanti Kushram, Vinod Malewar and Nandkumar Sahu are showcasing the state's rich artistic heritage before an international audience. Products made by self-help groups, farmers and local producers under the Vindhya Valley brand are also being exhibited.
India's Cultural Legacy Takes Centre Stage at the Global Forum
The Project Mausam, Greater India and Gyan Bharatam exhibitions at the BRICS Culture Conference are effectively presenting India's maritime heritage, knowledge traditions and shared cultural legacy to a global audience. Complementing these efforts, the Madhya Pradesh Pavilion is playing an important role in promoting the state's tourism potential, cultural heritage, folk and tribal arts and local products on the international stage.