“Be it earth and its vast expanse or the endless space or the water in the river, lake or ocean, the medicinal herbs and the vegetation, the god of universe and the Brahma (the creator of universe), let there be peace everywhere…………Rigveda

Indian art in many senses is the reflection of Indian philosophy. This exhibition, designed for gallery no. 3 is woven around one such thought which echo the concern of our ancestors for the conservation of nature. The theme is reflected very frequently in Indian literature and Art.

Nature in Indian context is always viewed as a part of divinity and revered. The thought is very well reflected in one of the prayers in Rigveda which consists of oldest layers of Sanskrit literature in ancient India. The sage pray thus:

“Be it earth and its vast expanse or the endless spaceor the water in the river, lake or ocean, the medicinal herbs and the vegetation,the god of universe and the Brahma (the creator of universe) let there be peace everywhere…………”

Today when the whole world is concern about the disastrous environmental situation mainly caused by the human negligence its right time to peep into the past and reevaluate the values that our ancient thinkers have enforced to make this world a better place to live.

KEY THEME The bountiful nature

Selection of the objectsThe object selected for the exhibition represents the three vital elements – space, earth and water.

The Churning of the Ocean, Tanjavur, 1820 A.D., Company school painting

Govardhanadhari – The blue god Krishna lifting the mount Govardhana, Bikaner, 17th century

The river goddess GangaSand stone, North India, 10th century A.D.

Surya, the Sun god, 11th century, Eastern IndiaHt:1295 csm

The Churning of the Ocean, Tanjavur, 1820 A.D., Company school, Registration no. 2007,3005.7

This remarkable painting shows the Samudramanthana or the churning of the ocean, episode described in Puranas, and epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The story narrates the legend of the creation . According to the story, to acquire nectar (drink of immortality) and the precious 14 jewels, god Vishnu suggested to the gods and the devils to churn the ocean by making Mandara mountain a churning tool and Vasuki the king of serpent as the churning rope.

As a result of this churning god succeeds to acquire nectar and the jewels which eventually relates to the most important and valuable assets for human beings.

The 14 jewelsFourteen precious objects which emerged from the depths of the sea (they vary according to the texts) were: the horse Uchchaihshravas (symbol of sovereignty), the white elephant Airavata (symbol of royalty), a throne (symbol of kingship and power), the fire (symbol of life), the Tulsi plant (probably the representation of physician Dhanvantari), a chariot, the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of abundance) Parijata tree (divine tree), Surabhi (cow), Soma (intoxicating juice of sacred plant), Varuna (the sea god), precious stones, the tree of life (kalpavriksha), the divine damsels and Alakshmi, goddess of misfortune.

Kalpavriksha – Tree of life

The last book of Rigveda (ancient Indian text) gives information of plants with special reference to their healing property as also the boon giving plant. Generally they are depicted as Banyan and fig tree and known as Kalpavriksha.

There is a very interesting quotation in the BhagavataPurana ( around 10th century A.D.) about the importance of trees and its boon giving properties. In the 10th canto of this text, Krishna the blue God while explaining the importance of trees to his friends says:

“Have a look at these trees that live only for the welfare of others… they fulfill the desires of others by there leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark, wood fragrance, gum, ashes, coal and tender leaves.“(Bhagavata Purana X 22.30-35)

Being an agrarian society religious thinkers made it a religious duty to plant and protect trees and forest. This idea is expressed in various literature and many of them prescribed punishment for destroying a tree..

kalapavriksha Tulasi plantTree in railing

Govardhanadhari – The blue god Krishna lifting the mount Govardhana, Bikaner, 17th century

Painting depicts the blue god Krishna lifting the mount Govardhana and giving shelter to the people and their cattle from the torrential rain caused by Indra the vedic rain god. Through this episode Krishna is explaining the importance of mount Govardhana to the villagers who use to worship God Indra for timely monsoon. He is making them realize that it is not Indra but the forest on the mount Govardhanathat attracts rain and therefore people should worship trees and forest and protect them. According to the story after knowing Krishna’s explanation enraged Indra tried to shower torrential rain at the village Brij but the blue god with his super human powers gave shelter to the villagers by lifting the mount Govardhana on his small finger. On the top right, defeated Indra is returning back to his abode.

People still celebrate the festival of the worship of mount Govardhana.

River Goddess Ganga

Water which is one of the vital elements of life was equally important . The great rivers of India are charged with a divine entity. Most of the rivers are worshipped and beautiful prayer are sung to glorify there importance.

The river goddess GangaSand stone, North India, 10th century A.D. The continuing tradition…………..

Sun GodVedic thought of nature worship was further strengthen by the religious support and various gods and goddess came to be associated with natural forces. Sun the source of life giving energy is one such god worshipped in India since Vedic period. Chhat is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to sun worship. The worship is perform in order to thank the Sun for sustaining life on earth.

Surya, the sun god, 11th century, Eastern IndiaHt:1295 csm

Display

The two sculptures (Ganga and Surya) will be displayed in the center of the room around a circle represent continuity. On the ground water waves can be created by light effects or by using acrylic. This will also keep visitors away from the objects. The first level of text can be accommodated near the images and the second level of text will go on the left side walls. The concept of three main division, space earth and water should be brought in the display. Miniature paintings will be displayed at the end in a table case. The background can be converted into a forest grove on the description given in the Buddhist text. This can be created with cut-outs of trees, animals and artificially created pond with sound effects of chirping of birds. This could also be achieved by visual effects.

The additional text material will go on both the side walls discriminated by different colour bands connecting to the table case.

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Activity cornerco rner

title of the ExhibitionSuspending from the ceiling

•The space outside can be utilize for puttingbanner or poster showing the title and theme of the exhibition. The place can also be used for some educational activities.

•The audio – video clip will be played near theobject. Reference – National Museum Cardiff And Horniman Museum

•A short cartoon film about the current conservation related issues will be shownon the right hand side wall. Reference –Roman Legion Museum

•A character can be introduced in the form of a tree. Sometime he will move in the gallery andsometime he will stand still and suddenly shakehand with the visitors specially children. If budgetAllows he can carry some save tree/earth batchesTo be given to the visitors. Reference – street shows

•In the activity area puppet shows Can be organized on the related subject.

Many programmes can be designed around the theme ‘protect our environment’. Topics such as less power consumption, recycling of products, endangered animal species, save water, keep the reservoir clean, water harvesting, importance of plant and so on can be dealt in an interesting manner.

An award can be given to those children who are sensitive towards ecological problems and doing some substantial work to tackle this problem.

Educational programmes

•Outside the gallery a small nursery of plant can be created with a board ‘adopt a plant’. People can take away a plant and will be requested to report about the development of plant adopted by them at the end of the exhibition.

•There are various Indian festivals related to the nature worship such as Vasantotsava (festival in celebration of spring, celebrated in Ancient India), Teej, Vata Savitri(worship of Banyan tree for the long life of husband), worship of river Ganga, Gopashtami (worship of cattle), Govardhana pooja (worship of mount Govardhana) and so on. Some of these festivals can be celebrated in the Museum or an audio – visual presentation can be shown inside the gallery .

•Gallery trails like find out a particular tree or a nature god in the other galleries can be prepared.

•A small publication about the details of literary references and other examples of nature worship can be prepared. Gallery talks and special lecture on the subject can be arranged.

•Museum staff can also take part in the plant a tree activity inside the Museum premises. Exhibition will get over within three months but tree planted by them will remain forever.

Month of Savana (Rainy Season - July-August)Folio from Baramasa (12 month of the year) set. Bundi School, 1675-1700 A.D.

Fair and festival are an important part of Indian life. There are many vratas(observations) and festivals related to natural forces. Teej is one of them. The painting depicts the lush green foliage of the monsoon season and the festival of Teej, celebrated in India during this season.

Teej celebrated at the outbreak of the monsoon in the month of July-August. On this occasion women colourfully dressed carry the image of Goddess Parvati in a procession to the outskirts of village or town. They spend whole day in the company of nature playing, singing, dancing and swinging. At some places neem tree which is a useful medicinal tree and Banyan tree are also worshipped.

Museum Shop

Variety of items can be merchandise for the shop

Gardening kit

Other possible theme for exhibition

Battle of Rama and RavanaScroll painting, Western India,late 19th century A.D.

The pata contains a very interesting story content from the epic Ramayana.

Tradition of story telling using a scroll was practiced very widely in ancient India. The literary references tells us about the use of such scrolls as early as 2nd century BCE. This ancient tradition of story telling is still prevalent in some parts of India like Bengal, Andhra Pradesh , Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

The most interesting fact is that the art of story telling is prevalent in countries like Turkey, Iran, China and so on and there are possibilities of having a combine exhibition by the participants of the ITP programme on this theme in a bigger space..