Work on the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum in New Delhi is gaining momentum, with more than 350 artisans, designers, technology providers and companies being brought together for the ambitious national project.
The Ministry of Culture organised two programmes this month to involve specialists in the museum’s design, construction and visitor experience. The first, Shilpkar Samagam, was held on September 2 and 3 at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. It brought together more than 150 master artisans, craft practitioners and institutions from across India.
More than 100 artisans demonstrated traditional skills including textiles, metalwork, woodcraft, stone carving, ceramics, bamboo and cane work, decorative arts, traditional painting and architectural crafts. Discussions focused on incorporating these traditions into the museum’s architecture, interiors, galleries, public spaces and landscape.
The government aims to make traditional craftsmanship an active part of the museum experience rather than limiting it to objects displayed behind glass. Visitors are expected to encounter Indian crafts as living traditions connected with the country’s cultural and civilisational history.
The second programme, a Vendor Development Programme held on September 7 and 8, brought around 200 Indian and international firms into discussions related to the project. Companies working in museum showcases, conservation, exhibition design, architectural lighting, audiovisual systems, immersive technology, security and smart-building solutions presented their capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the programme featured around 70 capability presentations and technical pitches, nearly 200 bilateral meetings and about 80 focused discussions. These discussions explored Make in India collaborations, localisation, technology transfer, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
Culture Ministry Secretary Vivek Aggarwal described the proposed museum as a “living institution” that would showcase India’s civilisational continuity, collective memory and creative traditions.
The initiatives are also aimed at increasing the participation of Indian businesses and artisans in specialised museum technologies and manufacturing. At the same time, the government hopes to connect domestic enterprises with international museum experts and encourage technology partnerships.
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum is planned as a major national institution presenting India’s journey across thousands of years. It will combine historical artefacts, traditional craftsmanship, modern design and immersive technology to tell the story of the country’s civilisational evolution.
With artisans and industry participants now being brought into the planning process, the project is moving towards creating a museum that seeks to combine heritage with contemporary visitor experiences.
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