WALKING THROUGH A SONGLINE HIGHLIGHTS AUSTRALIA'S INDIGENOUS HERITAGE

The immersive multimedia installation Walking Through a Songline’ in New Delhi, organized by the Australian High Commission and KNMA, showcases Australia’s First Nations culture through digital technology, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation between Australia and India.

- MURTAZA ALI KHAN

The ancient and timeless stories of Australia's First Nations people have come alive in New Delhi with the immersive multimedia installation 'Walking Through a Songline' (WTAS). This captivating digital experience, organized by the Australian High Commission in India in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), offers a unique insight into the rich cultural heritage of the world's oldest continuous culture. Based on a segment of the National Museum of Australia's acclaimed exhibition 'Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters,' the WTAS promises to be an unforgettable journey through the spiritual, ecological, and historical knowledge of Australia's Indigenous peoples.

'Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters' is a groundbreaking exhibition that has been celebrated globally for its powerful portrayal of the Seven Sisters Dreaming tracks. Developed in 2017, this Aboriginal-led exhibition features works by over 100 artists and takes visitors on an epic journey across Australia, following the pathways of the Ancestral beings. The exhibition combines traditional art, Indigenous voices, and innovative multimedia to create a deeply immersive experience.

'Walking Through a Songline,' an extension of this larger exhibition, leverages digital technology to transport visitors to places of ancient significance. As National Museum of Australia director Katherine McMahon explains, "Walking through a Songline transports visitors to places of ancient significance that gives privileged insights into how important knowledge was held onto and transferred by First Nations peoples of Australia." The arrival of the WTAS in New Delhi is a significant cultural event, highlighting the deep connections between Australia and India.