Banking on World Heritage: Depicting Cultural Treasures through Banknotes

Introduction

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is set to host an extraordinary exhibition titled “Banking on World Heritage.” This unique exhibition, curated by Ms. Rukmini Dahanukar, founder of ‘Money Talks’ and an independent scholar, will showcase banknotes featuring world heritage sites listed by UNESCO. The exhibition aims to provide a novel perspective on these cultural treasures and will be held at IGNCA from June 30th to July 9th, 2023. This event holds significance as it aligns with India’s presidency of the G-20 Summit, India’s 75th year of independence, and the 50th year of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention.

Inauguration and Theme

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi. The inauguration ceremony will witness the presence of High Commissioners and Ambassadors from G20 countries. The theme of the exhibition, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One Future” perfectly encapsulates the outstanding universal values of world heritage.

Showcasing Global Heritage

This exhibition offers a remarkable opportunity for visitors to witness the depiction of UNESCO World Heritage Sites through banknotes. The member countries of the G-20 have contributed their currencies, making this collection a valuable representation of diverse civilizations. Each banknote serves as a miniature canvas, highlighting the grand monuments and historic wonders that have shaped our shared human history.

Educating through Currency

Through the medium of banknotes, the exhibition aims to educate millennials and younger generations about their culture and heritage. Ms. Dahanukar’s passion for collecting banknotes has culminated in this remarkable exhibition, which brings together the rich diversity of Indian languages and reflects the unity in India’s cultural tapestry. The exhibition will demonstrate how these banknotes become a projection of India and reflect the connection between humanity and culture.

Coins: Portals to the Past

Complementing the banknote exhibition, IGNCA will organize a panel discussion featuring distinguished speakers, including Sri Sudhakar Kazar, Prof. Poonam Mahajan, Sri Ashish Chandra, Sri Anand Kothari, and Ms. Rukamini Dahanukar. The discussion will shed light on the invaluable historical insights that coins provide. Coins serve as tangible artifacts that allow us to reconstruct ancient Indian history, providing glimpses into the reigns of kings, economic systems, the extent of empires, trade routes, and the art and religion of their respective eras.

Important takeaways for competitive examinations

• President of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts is Ram Bahadur Rai.
• Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture is Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi.
• There are 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
• Dholavira,Gujarat in the Rann of Kutchh is the India’s 40th UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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