Mumbai - The magnificent rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora served as the breathtaking backdrop for AIKYAM 2025, a flagship cultural initiative by Sopaan that successfully concluded its three-day celebration from November 21 to 23. This immersive event marked the 80th anniversary of the United Nations through a unique convergence of art, heritage, diplomacy, and sustainability.
Global Gathering at Historic Venues
The event brought together an impressive assembly of global cultural practitioners, historians, artists, and diplomats for a rare celebration of India's living traditions. Among the distinguished attendees were key dignitaries from UNESCO, Maharashtra Tourism, and the Municipal Corporation of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, alongside ambassadors and cultural representatives from over 30 countries.
Notable participants included Sanjay Khandare, Principal Secretary of Maharashtra Tourism; Dr. Timothy Curtis, Director of UNESCO Regional Office in India; and G. Sreekanth, Municipal Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The international delegation featured High Commissioners from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, along with Ambassadors from France, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, and Thailand.
Cultural Performances and Intellectual Discourse
As dusk settled over the monolithic Kailasa Temple at Ellora, carved from a single rock to honor Lord Shiva, the forecourt transformed into an open-air amphitheater. The evening commenced with a Shiva Invocation by HH Maharani Raseshwari Rajya Laxmi of Jaisalmer and Nick Booker, featuring Sanskrit chants that evoked the cosmic principle of Aikyam (oneness).
This was followed by AIKYAM Omkara, a spectacular performance choreographed by Gauri Sharma Tripathi and presented by international artists using Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Odissi dance forms. The performance beautifully embodied the universal rhythm of creation, continuum, and dissolution.
The intellectual segment featured a major lecture by historian William Dalrymple titled "The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World," which connected India's civilizational ethos to the UN's global vision. Additional talks by Timothy Curtis and Booker further enriched the discourse.
Artistic Recreations and Heritage Experiences
One of the festival's highlights was the musical recreation of the historic 1967 UN General Assembly concert by Pandit Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin. This was expertly performed by Pandit Shubhendra Rao and Dutch cellist Saskia Rao-de Haas, emphasizing dialogue as audible harmony.
Brazilian artist Sergio Cordeiro contributed a live mural that reinterpreted the Ajanta murals in a contemporary style, bridging ancient art with modern expression.
The overall experience was enhanced by curated heritage tours to sites like the Daulatabad Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara, textile showcases of Paithani and Himroo, and celebrations of Maharashtrian cuisine. The festival culminated in contemplative visits to the Ajanta caves on the final day.
Boosting Maharashtra's Tourism Vision
Sanjay Khandare, Principal Secretary of Maharashtra Tourism, emphasized the state's commitment to becoming a premier global cultural destination. "Maharashtra stands at the forefront of India's tourism landscape," he stated. "In 2024, the state recorded India's highest foreign tourist inflow with 3.71 million international visitors."
He highlighted that the event was rooted in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), reflecting Maharashtra's legacy of bridging faiths and fostering art across centuries.
Siddhaant Mohta, Co-Founder and Director of Sopaan, explained that "AIKYAM is a strategic initiative that reimagines how heritage, performance and dialogue can come together to build global understanding." He noted that the event transforms sacred cave complexes into living stages for unity and exchange.
UNESCO's Perspective on Cultural Heritage
Timothy Curtis, Director of UNESCO Regional Office in India, remarked that "Ajanta and Ellora stand as dynamic Indian repositories of philosophy, creativity, and shared human endeavor." He emphasized that in a rapidly changing world, these sites remind us of the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and collective action.
The festival positioned heritage as a powerful tool for cultural exchange, sustainability, and global connection, further strengthening India's soft power footprint. According to press notes, cultural tourism accounts for nearly 40% of tourist arrivals in India, with the country's heritage tourism market valued at USD 19.9 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 27.1 billion by 2033.
Anchored in the philosophy of oneness between science and spirituality, and humanity and nature, AIKYAM 2025 successfully showcased India's alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals while celebrating the artistic and spiritual genius of ancient civilizations.
