In a landmark cultural exchange, the acclaimed Aboriginal creation saga, 'Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters', is set to open its doors to the Indian public this month. The exhibition will be hosted at the historic Humayun Tomb World Heritage Site Museum in New Delhi, marking a significant collaboration between the National Museum of Australia and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA).
A Journey Through Ancient Australian Desert
This is the first major international touring exhibition from the National Museum of Australia to visit India. It presents a dramatic narrative of creation, desire, and survival, portraying the epic flight of the Seven Sisters across vast Australian deserts as they are pursued by a powerful, shape-shifting sorcerer. The exhibition is a profound exploration of tjukurrpa, or Aboriginal Law, demonstrating how ancient knowledge, stories, songs, and cultural protocols are intrinsically woven into the very landscape.
Seven years in the making, the showcase is a world-first in its scale and complexity. It brings to life five sections of the Indigenous Western and Central Desert 'Songlines' through a stunning collection of nearly 300 paintings, objects, and multimedia installations. Visitors will be guided through the story via song, dance, photography, and cutting-edge technology.
Global Acclaim and Cultural Significance
After its successful debut in Canberra in 2017, the 'Songlines' exhibition has captivated audiences across Europe, touring to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Finland. Its arrival in New Delhi marks its fifth international destination, underscoring its global appeal and the universal power of its storytelling.
Katherine McMahon, Director of the National Museum of Australia, expressed her pride in bringing this culturally significant exhibition to India. "After its successful tour of Europe, we are delighted to bring Australia's cultural treasures closer to home, and to India, where ancient connections are deeply shared," she stated. McMahon emphasized that the exhibition is a powerful result of the museum's decades-long collaboration with Indigenous communities, celebrating a culture sustained for over 65,000 years.
An Immersive Experience for Indian Audiences
The exhibition is designed to be a deeply immersive journey. A key highlight is the world's highest-resolution travelling DomeLab. Standing beneath its 7-metre-wide domed ceiling, visitors are transported to key sites along the songlines, immersed in images of ancient Seven Sisters rock art from the remote Cave Hill site in South Australia, and animations of the Orion constellation and the Pleiades star cluster.
Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of KNMA, highlighted the importance of this cross-cultural dialogue. "The opening of the 'Songlines' exhibition in India marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to cross-cultural dialogue and public engagement with art," she said. She added that by merging ancient storytelling with modern technology, the exhibition invites Indian audiences on a journey that transcends geography and time.
Dr. Jilda Andrews, Deputy Director First Nations at the National Museum of Australia, described Songlines as an invitation to share and celebrate culture. "The culturally rich landscape of India offers a unique opportunity to share our ancient knowledge and practices in a new contemporary context," Dr. Andrews noted. She explained that Songlines are the epic, connective threads of the land, imprinted across the landscape and recalled through story, song, and ceremony.
By following the trail of magnificent art and installations, which act as portals to place, visitors to the Humayun's Tomb museum will effectively 'walk' these ancient spiritual pathways, gaining a unique understanding of a living culture and its profound connection to the earth.
