The Bharat Pavilion at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai has captured the imagination of thousands of visitors, offering a stunning journey through India’s storytelling traditions under the theme “From Kala to Code.” This immersive showcase blends India’s cultural heritage with cutting-edge digital innovation, celebrating the nation’s evolution as a global creative powerhouse. From ancient oral traditions and inscriptions to virtual reality and the metaverse, the Pavilion offered an experience that was both reflective and futuristic.
High-Profile Inauguration and Public Enthusiasm
The pavilion was inaugurated with great enthusiasm in the presence of several dignitaries including:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Their visit set the tone for what turned out to be one of the most visited and appreciated attractions at WAVES 2025. Visitors across generations were seen marveling at the curated exhibits, with the Pavilion receiving overwhelming public response.
Thematic Zones: A Multi-Sensory Experience
The Bharat Pavilion was divided into four immersive zones, each narrating a chapter of India’s storytelling evolution.
1. Shruti – Honouring Oral Traditions
This section celebrated India’s rich heritage of oral storytelling, music, and spoken word traditions. It emphasized how rhythm, melody, and voice preserved collective memory.
Highlights included:
- Guru-Shishya Parampara: Legacy of oral transmission
- Vedic Chants and Folk Soundscapes: Mystical, immersive audio
- Museum of Melodies: Classical Indian instruments on display
- Playback Nation: 100 years of iconic Indian playback singing
- Spotify Stage: Live classical performances by Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Cassette to Cloud: Evolution of Indian music formats
- Podcast Central & Audiobooks: Rise of digital spoken-word content
2. Kriti – The Written Word
Kriti focused on India’s literary and inscriptional legacy, tracing its journey from cave paintings to contemporary publishing.
Key installations:
- Imprints of Indus: An interactive Indus Valley experience
- Ashoka’s Edicts and Copperplate Grants: Showcasing India’s earliest governance records
- Ramayana Across Civilizations: Cross-cultural epic retellings
- The Indian Shelf: A digital library of iconic books
- Comics Corner: From Amar Chitra Katha to modern graphic novels
3. Drishti – Visual Traditions and Cinematic Legacy
This zone highlighted the visual evolution of storytelling—from prehistoric cave art to contemporary cinema.
Must-see features:
- LED Kala Yatra Tunnel: Chronological journey through Indian art
- Navarasa Interactive Exhibit: Emotional expressions through visuals
- Harappan Dancing Girl Hologram: 3D tribute to ancient art
- Wall of Fame: Icons of Indian film
- Doordarshan to OTT: India’s television journey
4. Creator’s Leap – The Future of Indian Storytelling
This futuristic zone celebrated India’s emerging role in AI-driven, immersive, and interactive storytelling.
Highlighted technologies:
- XR (Extended Reality) and Metaverse demos
- AI-generated narratives and animation
- Interactive gaming zones with Indian IPs
- Virtual reality storytelling simulations
Celebrating India as a Global Storyteller
The Bharat Pavilion didn’t just display content—it celebrated India as a creator. It emphasized India’s transition from being a land of tradition to a tech-savvy, future-ready cultural innovator. From folk music to podcasts, handwritten scriptures to AI-generated stories, the Pavilion mirrored the dynamic transformation of Indian media.
Global Recognition and Public Engagement
The Pavilion witnessed record-breaking footfall, resonating with both domestic and international visitors. Attendees described it as:
- “A breathtaking timeline of India’s cultural richness”
- “An emotional and futuristic celebration of Bharat’s creative journey”
- “An unmatched blend of history and innovation”
The multi-sensory and interactive nature of the Pavilion made it a crowd favorite at WAVES 2025, reinforcing India’s position as a soft power superpower in storytelling.
Conclusion
The Bharat Pavilion at WAVES 2025 successfully bridged the gap between India’s ancient cultural soul and its digital future. Under the overarching theme “From Kala to Code,” it showcased how India continues to reinvent its narrative, harnessing technology while staying rooted in tradition. As India positions itself at the crossroads of global creativity and innovation, this Pavilion stands as a testament to its unparalleled storytelling legacy—past, present, and future.
Acknowledgment
Source: Press Information Bureau