CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Madhya Pradesh, which is situated right in the middle of India's map, is called heartland of the country. At present, the state's boundaries touch five states making it a culturally vibrant place. The cultural diversity seen in Madhya Pradesh is hard to find anywhere else.

The task of establishing this specialty of Madhya Pradesh and better understanding and display of its multi-dimensional culture is accomplished in Gallery -1 which is arranged in a manner that will leave a deep impact on visitors about Madhya Pradesh's multi-pronged cultural presence. Like shoots of banyan tree spread far and wide and are not confined to some definite limits, in the same way culture of various tribes of Madhya Pradesh are put on display over there. Visitors will directly observe here as to how cultural offshoots of a tribal community crawl into other tribes beyond borders of neighbouring state. Pattern of the gallery is briefly as under:-

A glimpse of Madhya Pradesh contour map is put up in the middle part of the gallery in such a way that a visitor will have inkling about state's geographical contours, hills, plateaus, forest and serpentine path of lifeline Narmada. Despite being map of Madhya Pradesh, it will give visual effect of an uneven hillock.

Geographical presence of all the major tribes living in Madhya Pradesh is symbolically shown on the contour map drawn in the lower part of the gallery with the help of their important symbols.

A banyan tree (which is also the state tree and the state's emblem) is built amidst this map. Offshoots of the banyan tree are spread up to sky (gallery's high ceiling) surrounding state's tribal culture (whose glimpse will be shown on the gallery's walls) whereas roots will be spread on the gallery's floor. This vast tree is made in various mediums so that there is no excessive burden despite it being strong so that gigantic and majestic look of the Banyan tree is maintained.

Gallery's vastness and high ceiling motivates for making innovations and there is scope for it also. A staircase will rise from a place in the gallery and then join ramps built above around entire gallery. Visitors will climb up the ramp and have a bird's eye view of the map of Madhya Pradesh. They may also feel themselves as a part of this vast cultural banyan tree. On the upper walls of the gallery the centrally important symbols of Tribal communities of ancient Gondwana Land (Africa, Asia, Australia & Europe) is exhibited. Tribal communities residing all over the world can be understood deeply with their cultural nexus that is depicted artistically in this culturally diverse Gallery.

Down there the adjoining walls are depicted various aspects showing tribal life and culture of the state and its bordering states which will help visitors analyze differences and similarities of Art and Culture between the tribes of both Madhya Pradesh and its adjoing states.

Flag-like maps are placed on branches of Banyan tree showing special features/similarities between various tribal communities. These are displayed in the form of banners and scrolls.