The ancient Aboriginal story of the Seven Sisters, a foundational songline from Australia, is set to be vividly retold in the heart of India's capital. From November 22 to March 1, the Humayun's Tomb World Heritage Site Museum will host the internationally acclaimed travelling exhibition, 'Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters'.
A Journey Through Ancient Narrative and Modern Technology
This monumental showcase, a collaboration between The National Museum of Australia and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), brings together nearly 300 objects. Visitors will encounter a rich tapestry of paintings, photography, song, dance, and multimedia displays. The exhibition meticulously highlights five sections of the indigenous western and central desert songlines, which narrate the epic journey of the Seven Sisters as they fled across thousands of miles of desert, pursued by a shape-shifting sorcerer.
A central highlight promises to be the high-resolution, immersive travelling DomeLab. This unique installation features a seven-metre-wide domed ceiling where visitors can look up to see the Seven Sisters rock art from the remote Cave Hill site in South Australia. The dome also presents animated artworks and the celestial transit of the Orion constellation and the Pleiades star cluster, deeply connecting the earthly story to the cosmos.
Celebrating the World's Oldest Living Culture
Dr. Katherine McMahon, Director of the National Museum of Australia, emphasized the significance of the project. She stated that First Nations Australians have sustained the world's oldest living culture for over 65,000 years. This exhibition is a powerful result of the museum's decades-long collaboration with Indigenous communities.
The exhibition is not just a display of art; it is a geographical and spiritual journey. It guides visitors across three distinct indigenous lands: the APY (Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) lands in the central deserts, the Ngaanyatjarra lands to the west, and the Martu lands in the north-west of Australia.
A Global Tour Finds a Home in India
Having debuted in Canberra in 2017, this showcase has already captivated audiences in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Finland. Delhi marks its fifth international destination, a testament to its universal appeal.
Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of KNMA, shared her vision for the exhibition. She explained that by merging ancient storytelling with cutting-edge technology, the event invites Indian audiences on a transcendent journey. Such collaborations aim to deepen the appreciation of our shared human heritage and celebrate the timeless wisdom of indigenous communities and their profound connection to the land.
This seven-year-long project offers a unique opportunity for Delhi's art and culture enthusiasts to engage with a profound narrative that bridges continents and millennia, all within the historic walls of Humayun's Tomb.
