Adding Flavour to Human Life
In Bharat, art, taste and colours are considered synonymous with life
Every nation has its unique symbols which acquaint the world with its history and values. And, the work of crafting these symbols is done by the art, culture and architecture of the nation. The capital Delhi is the hub of many such symbols which reflect the grandeur of Indian architecture. Therefore, this event of ‘India Art Architecture and Design Biennale’ being organized in Delhi is special in many ways.
Bharat is a thousand years old nation. There was a time when stories of Bharat’s economic prosperity were known to the world. Even today, Bharat’s culture and our ancient heritage attract tourists from all over the world. Today the country is taking that pride forward again with the spirit of ‘pride in heritage’. Today, work is being done with a sense of self-respect in every field related to art and architecture. Be it the development of our cultural centres like Kedarnath and Kashi, or reconstruction of Mahakal Mahalok, in the ‘Azaadi Ka Amritkaal’, Bharat is adding new dimensions to cultural prosperity and is making concrete efforts towards it. This Biennale happening in Bharat is another great step in this direction.
Before this event ( at the historic Red Fort) , we have seen that the International Museum Expo was held here in Delhi itself. The Festival of Libraries was also organized in August. Through these programmes, our effort is to institutionalize the global cultural initiative in Bharat. A modern system should be developed. We want Bharat’s events to be recognized in the world like the Biennales of Venice, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Sharjah and Art Fairs of Dubai and London. And this is much needed because today the impact of technology on human life has increased so much that no one wants his society to become robotic. We are not supposed to create robots, but humans. And for that, feelings are needed, hope is needed, goodwill is needed, enthusiasm is needed, vigour is needed. We need ways to live between hope and despair. All these things are created through art and culture. Technology can work very quickly for calculations. And hence such things provide a great support for knowing and connecting to the inner potential of human beings.
To achieve these goals, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design’ has also been inaugurated today. This centre will provide a platform to promote the unique and rare crafts of Bharat. This will bring together artisans and designers and help them innovate according to the market. With this, the artisans will also get knowledge about design development, and they will also become proficient in digital marketing. And we know that Indian craftsmen have so much talent that with modern knowledge and resources they can leave their mark in the whole world.
The process of setting up cultural spaces in 5 cities of Bharat is also a historic step. These cultural spaces to be built in Delhi as well as Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi will further enrich these cities culturally. These centres will also put forward innovative ideas to enrich local art. All of you have also decided 7 important themes for the next 7 days. In this, we will have to carry forward these themes of – ‘Deshaj Bharat Design’ (indigenous designs) and ‘Samatva’ as a mission. To enrich indigenous design, it is important to make sure that it becomes a part of study and research for our youth. The Samatva theme celebrates the participation of women in the field of architecture. I believe that the imagination and creativity of women will take this field to new heights.
In Bharat, art, taste and colours are considered synonymous with life. Our ancestors have even said that – साहित्य संगीत कला विहीनः, साक्षात् पशुः पुच्छ विषाण हीनः। That is, the main difference between humans and other living beings is literature, music and art. That is, the habits of sleeping, waking up and filling the stomach are natural. But, it is art, literature and music that add flavour to human life and make it special. That is why, here, different needs of life, different responsibilities have been linked to Chatushashti Kala, or 64 arts. For example, musical instruments, dance and singing are forms of art. Among these, there are specific art forms like ‘Udak-Vadyam’ i.e. water instruments based on water waves etc. We have the art of ‘Gandh-Yukti’ for making different types of scents or perfumes. The art of ‘Takshakarma’ is taught for enamel and carving. ‘Suchivan-Karmani’ is an art to teach the intricacies of embroidery and weaving. By looking at the ancient clothes manufactured in Bharat, you can guess the level of perfection with which all these works were done here. It was said that the entire piece of cloth, muslin, was made in such a way that it could be passed through a ring. That means this was the power. In Bharat, carving and enamel work were also not limited to only decorative items. In fact, amazing artwork could also be seen on war-related items like swords, shields and spears. Moreover, I would like some people to brainstorm over this theme. In our country, ornaments were placed on our animals like horses, dogs, bulls and cows. The variety in these jewelleries and the art on it was a wonder. And there was a lot of perfection in it. They ensured that there was no physical pain caused to these animals. That is, if we look at these things in a comprehensive way, it tells us clearly how much potential it has!
A few months ago, we started something new for the people who come from all over the world to see and experience the culture of Bharat. We ran Ganga Vilas Cruises, which took passengers on a cruise down the Ganga from Kashi to Assam. Many tourists from all over the world had come. It was a journey of about 45-50 days. In a single journey, they got to experience many cities, villages and areas situated on the banks of Ganga. And our human culture has also developed on the banks of rivers. If one travels to the banks of the river once, there is a huge opportunity to know the depth of life. And it was with this very idea that we started this, Ganga Cruise.
Whatever may be the form of art, it is born close to nature. Here too, from what I saw, the element of nature relates to art. There is not a single thing outside it. Therefore, Art its character is pro-nature and pro-environment and pro-climate. For example, people talk about river fronts in the countries of the world, that in such and such country, there is this river front etc. Bharat has a tradition of ghats on the banks of rivers for thousands of years. Many of our festivals and celebrations are associated with these ghats. Similarly, there was a rich tradition of wells, Sarovar, and step wells in our country. Be it Gujarat’s Rani Ki Vav, or Rajasthan, and Delhi, even today you will get to see many step wells. And the specialty of Rani Ki Vav is that it is an inverted temple. That is, how the people of those times might have thought about the art creation! I mean, look at the architecture and design of all these water collection points! It looks no less than a mega-marvel. Similarly, the architecture of the old forts and forts of Bharat also surprises people all over the world. Every fort has its own architecture and its own science.
Art, architecture and culture have been sources of both diversity and unity for human civilization. We are the most diverse nation in the world, but at the same time that diversity binds us together.
Bharat is a country that lives by the idea of ‘अयं निजः परोवेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्’. That is, we do not live with the mindset of separation or without any sense of belongingness. We are the people who believe in kinship and harmony. We are the people who talk about the universe instead of self. Today, when Bharat is emerging as the biggest economy of the world, the whole world is seeing a better future for itself in it. Just as Bharat’s economic growth is linked to the progress of the entire world, just as our vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ brings new opportunities for the entire world, similarly, Bharat’s revival in fields of art and architecture will also contribute to Bharat’s cultural boost. The interests of the entire world are linked to it. We carried forward our heritage like Yoga. So today the whole world is benefiting from it.
When we started with our efforts to strengthen Ayurveda on modern scientific standards, the whole world understood its importance. We made new choices and resolutions for a sustainable lifestyle by keeping our cultural values in mind. Today, through campaigns like Mission LiFE, the whole world is getting a ray of hope for a better future. The stronger Bharat emerges in the field of art, architecture and design, the more it will benefit the entire humanity.
(Excerpts from the approximate translation of PM’s speech on December 8 at the inauguration of India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023 at Red Fort in Delhi. Original speech was delivered in Hindi)
