Cultural and Civilisational Digest: May-2024

Mathura culture, Mahabharata Period — ASI digs Govardhan Hill after 50 years- The Print

The Archaeological Survey of India is on a mission to untangle the historical threads of Braj region, the birthplace of Hindu deity Krishna. For the first time in 50 years, the ASI is excavating Govardhan Hill, part of the Braj region that also includes Mathura, Vrindavan, and other key sites mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Now, teams of archaeologists and their students have zoomed in on one village, Bahaj in Deeg district of Rajasthan bordering Uttar Pradesh. Click here to read… [2]

The 4,600-year-old woman from Rakhigarhi- The Hindu

The DNA study of a skeleton from the archaeological excavation site in Haryana has opened a Pandora’s box on genomics, history, archaeology, and linguistics. The findings, which will be in a school textbook, have re-ignited ‘The Aryan Question’ and opened a new frontier on whether the Harappan and Vedic cultures are synonymous, finds Sreeparna Chakrabarty. Click here to read… [3]

British Council’s Culture Fridays bring the best of UK and India together- The Times of India

Every Friday, diverse events bringing the best of the UK & India together. Visitors can immerse themselves in cinematic wonders during the film screenings, explore the realms of literature in the Writer’s Club, join the innovative Hybrid Book Club, or engage in the world of words at the Poetry Circle. The aim of these weekly cultural gatherings across the British Council in Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi is to help Indian and UK audiences to connect over cinema, music, poetry and books. It is an opportunity to celebrate art, intellect, and creativity across the two nations, allowing young people to connect over culture. Click here to read… [4]

US returns ancient artefacts looted from Cambodia, Indonesia- Al Jazeera

Prosecutors in New York City have announced that they returned to Cambodia and Indonesia 30 antiquities that were looted, sold or illegally transferred by networks of American antiquities dealers and traffickers. The antiquities were valued at a total of $3m, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

Bragg said he had returned 27 pieces to Phnom Penh and three to Jakarta in two recent repatriation ceremonies, including a bronze statue of the Hindu deity Shiva, which was looted from Cambodia, and a stone bas-relief sculpture of two royal figures from the Majapahit empire, which reigned between the 13th and 16th centuries, that was stolen from Indonesia. Click here to read… [5]

Chardham Yatra Begins: Kedarnath, Yamunotri portals open for devotees on Akshaya Tritiya- Hinduatan Times

The Chardham Yatra commenced on Friday with the opening of the doors of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas for devotees on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after remaining closed during the winter season. Click here to read… [6]

Ghana, Nigeria and the quest for UK looted treasure- BBC

Artefacts looted by the British in the colonial era have been returned to Ghana and are already on public view. So why is it taking Nigeria so long to put its returned treasures on display? Click here to read… [7]

Rock carvings in this village reveal Goa’s ancient past- Gomantak Times

Understanding the history of a place is a complex process, especially in a place like Goa. And, if it is pre-history, then the process is even more complex. That’s what I realised when I attended the 11th edition of the Cultural and Heritage Walk, or Parikrama, at Mauxi (Mhaus) village in Sattari Taluka. It was organised by environmentalist, writer and researcher, Rajendra Kerkar. Click here to read… [8]

International Museum Day: PM Modi to inaugurate International Museum Expo today – Mint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a three-day international museum exposition and unveil a "virtual walkthrough" of the upcoming national museum at the British-era North and South Blocks. The event is part of the second phase of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and coincides with International Museum Day. Click here to read… [9]

What museums in Kolkata are doing this International Museum Day to intrigue you the most- Telegraph India My Kolkata

It is International Museum Day and the theme for this year is ‘Museums for Education and Research’. Started in 1977 by the International Council of Museums, it is usually marked by events, celebrations and even free entry in museums across the world.

For the occasion, My Kolkata takes you on a journey though some of the city’s many museums and their best offerings for the day. From special functions to celebrate the occasion of International Museum Day to new exhibit openings, here is what you need to know about Kolkata’s museums this International Museum Day. Click here to read… [10]

This graphic novel takes a unique view of Indus Valley- Gomantak Times

History is one of those topics which many of us find boring in school, but as we mature, the same topic starts getting interesting for some. And, if that history is ancient, then it gets even more fascinating. For writer and illustrator, Nikhil Gulati, it was the history of the Indus Valley Civilisation that dates back to 3200 BCE. This fascination translated into his second graphic novel, The People of the Indus and the Birth of Civilisation in South Asia. Click here to read… [11]

Seminar-cum-exhibition on ‘Historical Patterns of Indian Strategic Culture’ held at the National Museum- The Print

As part of ‘Project Udbhav’, a seminar-cum-exhibition on ‘Historical Patterns of Indian Strategic Culture’ was held at the National Museum in New Delhi on May 21, 2024. The event was graced by Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt as the Chief Guest, who commended the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI) for their efforts in exploring the country’s ancient texts and oral traditions to unearth invaluable insights into its strategic culture, a PIB press release stated. Click here to read… [12]

Ground radar survey begins at Bhojshala complex- The Times of India

ASI used ground penetrating radar to identify buried structures in Bhojshala mosque compound. The radar was deployed in the main hall, sanctum sanctorum of Waghdevi temple, and Hawan Kund. Click here to read… [13]