Once upon a time, an evil sorcerer in search of a wife began pursuing a group of sisters, changing his form often in order to deceive them. Aware of his nefarious intentions, the sisters fled across the countryside; they were shapeshifters too and the paths they traversed created songlines. This age-old narrative encapsulates the essence of the Pleiades star cluster origin story as told by the Aboriginal community. Variations of this story exist across different cultures worldwide. Over centuries, songlines or dreaming tracks came to signify the routes and activities of ancestral beings as they traveled across Australia.
Bringing this ancient tradition to life in a modern format, the National Museum of Australia has partnered with Mosster Studio to craft a digital songline. Titled “Walking Through A Songline,” this exhibition offers an immersive experience into the rich tapestry of Aboriginal Australian knowledge and stories. Currently hosted by the Science Gallery in Bengaluru, this exhibition aims to share sacred Aboriginal traditions, which have been passed down from one generation to the next, with a broader audience.
Stepping inside Walking Through A Songline is akin to embarking on a journey back in time. Housed within an 8.5 by 5.5-meter marquee, the digital experience is nothing short of mesmerizing. Within a span of seven minutes, visitors find themselves enveloped in the hauntingly beautiful and ancient tales of the Aboriginal community. Supported by authentic voices—used with consent from custodians and knowledge holders—the folklore comes alive in 3D, immersing visitors in a landscape replete with star-studded skies, rocky terrains, and torrential rains. These elements seamlessly meld as one follows the path of the fleeing sisters and their relentless pursuer.
But the digital journey is just one facet of this multi-dimensional exhibit. In addition to the digital songline, visitors can delve into various supplementary activities intended to enrich their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture.
. For book lovers, a reading corner offers various texts exploring indigenous stories and culture. Film enthusiasts can enjoy screenings of short films that delve into the history and culture of indigenous groups located in remote parts of western, northern, and central Australia. These films are part of a series titled “Songlines on Screen,” shown every Saturday from 6 PM at the Science Gallery.
Adding another layer of cultural exchange, the exhibition features a display of indigenous fabrics created using traditional techniques. The fabrics, designed with sustainable dyes and crafted using woodblock techniques, are produced by the women of Arnhem Land in Australia’s Babbarra Women’s Centre, in collaboration with Tharangini Studio in Bengaluru. These creations not only demonstrate the artistic prowess of the Aboriginal community but also highlight sustainable practices in textile production—a nod to the environment-conscious ethos of indigenous cultures.
For those interested in exploring even more facets of Aboriginal art and culture, additional resources and collaborative projects like “Jarracharra: Where Aboriginal Art and Indian Block Printing Collaborate” can be insightful. These ventures further celebrate the rich artistic traditions and sustainable practices inherent in Aboriginal culture.
“Walking Through A Songline” isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an ongoing journey meant to traverse multiple cities across India. Enthusiasts and curious minds can keep track of its schedule at www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions. The Science Gallery in Bengaluru will host this enlightening exhibit until August 18, 2024, providing ample opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in this cultural odyssey.
Importantly, the exhibition is free and open to all, democratizing access to this wealth of knowledge and cultural history. As globalization and technological advancements continue to reshape our world, exhibitions like “Walking Through A Songline” offer an essential reminder of the richness and depth of ancient traditions and stories that continue to inspire and educate.
In a world where cultural heritages are increasingly at risk of being forgotten, “Walking Through A Songline” stands out as a beacon, illuminating the paths laid by ancestral beings and ensuring that the sacred knowledge and traditions of the Aboriginal community are shared and cherished by a global audience.
