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Mythological Trail, the open air exhibition, explores various folk and tribal myths prevalent in India. It depicts the significance and importance of man-nature relationship in various mediums, writes Vivek Trivedi
India is known for its rich and diverse art and culture which is quite varied in terms of mythology. There are countless myths prevalent among different tribal and folk communities across the country. The Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind, which depicts the story of mankind in time and space, has dedicated an entire the open air exhibition in which artists were given the freedom to narrate tribal and folk myths, beliefs and rituals through different art forms.
The museum has divided its exhibitions into mainly three categories; open exhibitions, indoor galleries and periodical/temporary exhibitions. The clusters of the following open air exhibitions partially developed and opened for the public at the museum — Tribal Habitat, Coastal Village, Desert Village, Himalayan Village, Traditional Technology park and Mythological Trail.
Mythological Trail — the open air exhibition is centered on various folks and tribal myths prevalent in India depicts the significance and importance of man-nature relationship through its exhibitions in various mediums. In its unique way of presentation, shows in the exhibition rendered the art and creativity of artists developed in the best of natural surroundings and apt aroma. There are many exhibits like the shrine of Tubraj, Lillar Kothi, Gangaur, Naga Shrine, Lohar myth, Karma tree, Mendhka Bihav and the likes that are more a part of the ritual than a link in the narrative of a myth.
Till now, the exhibition has seen the participation of around 60 artists who have created 38 such spaces pertaining to tribal myths, rituals and beliefs.
The exhibition is a part of several open air exhibitions of Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind popularly known as Manav Sangrahalaya. Situated in a 200 acre of campus in front of Upper Lake, this national museum depicts the story of mankind in time and space. With the aim of preserving and documenting the disappearing traditions, the museum of mankind is involved in generating a new museum movement by displaying a vast arena of human culture in its open air and indoor exhibitions.
Out of the various open air exhibitions — The Mythological Trail situated towards the lane of lake view automatically grabs the attention of visitors. Mythological Trail underlines various folk and tribal myths of India. Here the folk and tribal artists from different parts of country shared their myths, beliefs and rituals through exhibits. The exhibits are prepared on mediums like terracotta, stone, bell-metal, colours and others. Among various exhibits horizon of storehouse or kothi like panorama, The myth of the Ganga-Durga clash, Lankapuri-Hanuman, The Kamdhenu, The ritual of Mendhka Bihav, The Lohar origin myth and others endeavoured the glance of visitors.
One of the highlights of this exhibition is the ritual of Mendhka Bihav. The exhibit represents the belief of good rain after dry monsoon. Whenever the first half of the monsoon goes dry, the villagers meet at goddess Jimidarin mata's shrine to take her permission to conduct the ritual frog marriage. The whole village contributes in cash and kind towards it. The village then feasts and makes merry. It is believed that the happy couple will croak and this will lure the clouds to their parched fields.
Another exhibit of Lillar Kothi depict the Lillar Kothi itself wherein the inner arch of granary for food storage. This myth of Gond origin narrates the tale of Badadev. It says, "Once Badadev decided to create the Universe. He made a crow from the wax of his chest and sent him to find earth. After being tired of flying for long hours he sat on a claw. The claw belonged to Kakramal Kshatriya — the crab warrior. On the crow’s request, Kakramal caught Keechakmal the earthworm who was continuously gnawing the earth of the netherworlds. Then Kakramal pressed the neck of Keechakmal so forcefully that he spat the earth out. The crow then flew back to Badadev taking the clay with which Badadev created creatures and insects. These all creatures, insects, trees etc are very finely decorated on Lillar Kothi. Later Dev created man and food for man's survival. And since then man has been farming with its aid. Trees of Kasi and Teak near the Lillar Kothi are planted to complement the myths of tribal culture.
Another important exhibit is The Kamdhenu. The teracotta image of the mythological half-woman half-cow is revered as the mother of all cattle. The inscription explains the tale of Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling goddess, who is regarded as one of the 14 precious jewels emerging from samudra manthan. It is suppose to be wish-fulfiller and the image is worshipped by devotees for wish fulfillment.
Explaining the theme of this unique open-air exhibition, the museum spokesperson and one of the curators, Surya Kumar Pandey, says that depicting a myth by narrating a story is always a challenging task. He added that the exhibition was planned around a decade back with the participation of different community members from across the country who were asked to narrate the myths by using different art forms like terracotta, stone, bell metal, colours and so on.
Pandey furthers says that new additions are made in this exhibition to keep the interest of the visitors alive.
This exhibition attempts to bring the storytellers together in a dialogue with their own myths and belief systems. In the process it provides them the occasion to strike a chord with this treasure trove of hidden knowledge and insight from our folk and tribal heritage.
India is known for its rich and diverse art and culture which is quite varied in terms of mythology. There are countless myths prevalent among different tribal and folk communities across the country. The Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind, which depicts the story of mankind in time and space, has dedicated an entire the open air exhibition in which artists were given the freedom to narrate tribal and folk myths, beliefs and rituals through different art forms.
The museum has divided its exhibitions into mainly three categories; open exhibitions, indoor galleries and periodical/temporary exhibitions. The clusters of the following open air exhibitions partially developed and opened for the public at the museum — Tribal Habitat, Coastal Village, Desert Village, Himalayan Village, Traditional Technology park and Mythological Trail.
Mythological Trail — the open air exhibition is centered on various folks and tribal myths prevalent in India depicts the significance and importance of man-nature relationship through its exhibitions in various mediums. In its unique way of presentation, shows in the exhibition rendered the art and creativity of artists developed in the best of natural surroundings and apt aroma. There are many exhibits like the shrine of Tubraj, Lillar Kothi, Gangaur, Naga Shrine, Lohar myth, Karma tree, Mendhka Bihav and the likes that are more a part of the ritual than a link in the narrative of a myth.
Till now, the exhibition has seen the participation of around 60 artists who have created 38 such spaces pertaining to tribal myths, rituals and beliefs.
The exhibition is a part of several open air exhibitions of Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind popularly known as Manav Sangrahalaya. Situated in a 200 acre of campus in front of Upper Lake, this national museum depicts the story of mankind in time and space. With the aim of preserving and documenting the disappearing traditions, the museum of mankind is involved in generating a new museum movement by displaying a vast arena of human culture in its open air and indoor exhibitions.
Out of the various open air exhibitions — The Mythological Trail situated towards the lane of lake view automatically grabs the attention of visitors. Mythological Trail underlines various folk and tribal myths of India. Here the folk and tribal artists from different parts of country shared their myths, beliefs and rituals through exhibits. The exhibits are prepared on mediums like terracotta, stone, bell-metal, colours and others. Among various exhibits horizon of storehouse or kothi like panorama, The myth of the Ganga-Durga clash, Lankapuri-Hanuman, The Kamdhenu, The ritual of Mendhka Bihav, The Lohar origin myth and others endeavoured the glance of visitors.
One of the highlights of this exhibition is the ritual of Mendhka Bihav. The exhibit represents the belief of good rain after dry monsoon. Whenever the first half of the monsoon goes dry, the villagers meet at goddess Jimidarin mata's shrine to take her permission to conduct the ritual frog marriage. The whole village contributes in cash and kind towards it. The village then feasts and makes merry. It is believed that the happy couple will croak and this will lure the clouds to their parched fields.
Another exhibit of Lillar Kothi depict the Lillar Kothi itself wherein the inner arch of granary for food storage. This myth of Gond origin narrates the tale of Badadev. It says, "Once Badadev decided to create the Universe. He made a crow from the wax of his chest and sent him to find earth. After being tired of flying for long hours he sat on a claw. The claw belonged to Kakramal Kshatriya — the crab warrior. On the crow’s request, Kakramal caught Keechakmal the earthworm who was continuously gnawing the earth of the netherworlds. Then Kakramal pressed the neck of Keechakmal so forcefully that he spat the earth out. The crow then flew back to Badadev taking the clay with which Badadev created creatures and insects. These all creatures, insects, trees etc are very finely decorated on Lillar Kothi. Later Dev created man and food for man's survival. And since then man has been farming with its aid. Trees of Kasi and Teak near the Lillar Kothi are planted to complement the myths of tribal culture.
Another important exhibit is The Kamdhenu. The teracotta image of the mythological half-woman half-cow is revered as the mother of all cattle. The inscription explains the tale of Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling goddess, who is regarded as one of the 14 precious jewels emerging from samudra manthan. It is suppose to be wish-fulfiller and the image is worshipped by devotees for wish fulfillment.
Explaining the theme of this unique open-air exhibition, the museum spokesperson and one of the curators, Surya Kumar Pandey, says that depicting a myth by narrating a story is always a challenging task. He added that the exhibition was planned around a decade back with the participation of different community members from across the country who were asked to narrate the myths by using different art forms like terracotta, stone, bell metal, colours and so on.
Pandey furthers says that new additions are made in this exhibition to keep the interest of the visitors alive.
This exhibition attempts to bring the storytellers together in a dialogue with their own myths and belief systems. In the process it provides them the occasion to strike a chord with this treasure trove of hidden knowledge and insight from our folk and tribal heritage.
