National Museum is hosting an exhibition on Guru Nanak Sahib’s eternal message of 1-Ness to the world from 1st to 9th February in New Delhi
In line with its ethos of encouraging dissemination of knowledge in respect of history, culture and artistic excellence and achievements, the National Museum, New Delhi is currently hosting and supporting an unique exhibition on the life and times of Guru Nanak Sahib. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between National Museum of Ministry of Culture, VOYCE and SikhRI, (the Sikh Research Institute, USA). The exhibition will showcase 1-Ness and 1-Identity from 1st to 9th February 2020 at National Museum, New Delhi.
The exhibition coincides with Guru Nanak Sahib’s 550 years of Prakash Purab (illumination day). The exhibition is both timely and relevant as it provides opportunity to younger generation to re-connect with the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib and the ideals that he stood for.
This exhibition presents an opportunity to experience and engage with the Guru Nanak Sahib’s message of 1-Ness. The multi-format events include panel discussions, workshops, poetry and music sessions, performances by children, interactive art, dastangoi performances, themed workshops, guided tours and more.
The whole approach of organizing this event, and the diversity of activities, is that there is something for everyone to reflect and engage with 1-Ness.
“Our museums need to be open spaces for dialogue and interaction; this exhibition, through the walking tours and a range of activities, has made this engagement possible. We welcome more such initiatives so that the National Museum can offer the best cultural experiences in India and the world,” says Shri Raghvendra Singh, CEO, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces, Government of India.
“The exhibition also reinforces what the National Museum is about – a cultural centre for enjoyment and interaction of the people in artistic and cultural activity as also as an epitome of national identity,” he adds.
“Such collaborations encourage wider community participation in museums and helps cultural institutions like ours to create a sense of pride and belonging in cultural identity” adds Shri Subrata Nath, Additional Director General, National Museum.
Speaking about the exhibition,Shri Harinder Singh, Founder, SikhRi says, “Guru Nanak Sahib continues to transform innumerable lives, and the world needs to hear this extraordinary and inspiring story of the ‘global-wisdom’, the world-prophet, the lover of 1-Ness. This exhibition showcases that story of transformation.”
“This celebration is about Guru Nanak, the light that is eternal and shines like the sun, and Ik Oankar, 1-Ness, the proclamation that roars like the lion,” says Anika Singh, Social Artist & Founder of VOYCE. “Working on this project, living and breathing 1-Ness, has been such an incredible journey. We hope to give a flavour of that experience through this exhibition and all the 1-Ness activities planned around it,” she adds.
Elaborating on the exhibition, Inni Kaur, Creative Director, SikhRI says, “The visitor will have the opportunity to experience in a concise way the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib through the five galleries.”
In addition to the I-Ness exhibition, the National Museum is also hosting a special exhibition, at its Miniature Painting Gallery, based on the folios of Janam-Sakhi, the legendary biography of Guru Nanak. The special exhibition was inaugurated by Swami Agnivesh.
The speakers and performers at the nine-day event include Harinder Singh, SikhRi; H.S. Phoolka, senior advocate; Swami Agnivesh; Gurinder Harnam Kaur; Daler Mehndi, singer and environmentalist; Bobby Bedi, film producer; Sidharth, painter; Jasbir Jassi, singer; Ustad Iqbal Ahmed, vocal maestros and Vusat Iqbal Khan from DIlli Gharana; Mehetab Molla, artist; Dashmeet Singh, artist; Dr Arshiya Sethi, cultural visionary; Kuljeet Singh, artist and director; and Dr Kumud Diwan, Taranpreet Mehndi, Gursimran Kaur, Neelu Singh and Anika Singh.
The exhibition is being organised in the central courtyard of the museum and it concludes on the 9th February 2020.
The museum would remain open till 8:00 pm on weekends & 6:00 pm on weekdays.
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NB/AKJ