2nd G20 CEG Meet: Naveen Inaugurates Cultural Exhibition ‘Sustain’ In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated the exhibition, ‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’, a specially curated cultural project by the Ministry of Culture, for the 2nd G20 CWG meeting in Bhubaneswar.

The theme of the exhibition reflects the second priority of the Culture Working Group (CWG), ‘Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future.’ The exhibition, held at Kala Bhoomi – Odisha Crafts Museum, will remain open to the public from May 15 to 22.

Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai were present.

The vision for the exhibition is to create awareness among the visitors, professionals and policy-makers about the many living heritage practices that prioritise mindful and optimal utilisation of natural resources and
harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature.

‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ is composed of three constituent experiences – Akshara, Stambh and demonstrations by master artisans and teachers – which encapsulate these manifold aspects. The exhibition showcases more than 35 crafts and various languages and scripts of India through objects and live teaching demonstrations.

The first section of the exhibition ‘Akshara – Crafting Indian Scripts,’ highlights diverse languages and craft practices of India, reflecting unique worldviews and traditions. Through a new design vocabulary, Akshara showcases the visual beauty of India’s scripts, expressed through alphabets, verses, phrases, poems and colloquial sayings.

‘Stambh: Craft, Collaboration and Continuity’, explores indigenous crafts practices and their and contemporary expressions. This section showcases functional objects designed with elements of traditional crafts, through collaborations with artisans, adapted for urban audiences.