Mona Lisa to Magna Carta, G20 venue to show 29 nations’ heritage

India will be represented by a copy of the Panini Ashtadhyayi, a linguistic text that set the standard for how Sanskrit was meant to be written and spoken. Ashtadhyayi, which means eight chapters, was written by the scholar Panini towards the end of the fourth century BC.

Each of the 20 member countries and nine guest nations were requested by India to submit five objects — in physical or digital format — which are considered cultural masterpieces or hold historical significance in their respective countries, said ministry officials.

Submissions were requested under five categories: ‘object of cultural significance’ (as a physical display), ‘iconic cultural masterpiece’ (as a digital display), ‘intangible cultural heritage’ (digital), ‘natural heritage’ (digital) and an ‘artefact related to democratic practices’ (physical or digital). The Culture Corridor has received participation and submissions from all 20 G20 members and 9 invitee countries, officials said.

The digital section will showcase the iconic Mona Lisa painting (France’s submission), the Gutenberg Bible (earliest major book printed) from Germany, the Coatlicue statue (an Aztec sculpture) from Mexico, Abrahamic Family House (an interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi) from the UAE and the Kosode (a short-sleeved garment, the direct predecessor of the Kimono) from Japan.

The international project will be unveiled at Bharat Mandapam on September 9 and will open to the public after the leaders’ summit. Envisioned as a G20 legacy project, this Culture Corridor-G20 Digital Museum is a first-of-its-kind collaborative project which has sought participation from G20 countries to create a “museum in the making”.

The exhibit will also showcase a 12-foot digital cube which will display masterpieces as well as objects related to democratic practices.