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The Eternal Gandhi Multimedia
Museum is one of the world’s first digital multimedia
museums. It is located at the site where Mahatma Gandhi attained
martyrdom. The museum presents the historical events of Gandhiji’s
life as well as a spectrum of information technology visions
inspired by Gandhian thought. In doing so, the project not
only documents but also revives the values by which India
obtained freedom. It also redefines those values in order
to animate modern products and design.
The technology developed
does not ‘merely scan’ Gandhian images; rather
it interprets Gandhian vision in newer product design. The
exhibits interpret Gandhian forms and values. For example,
the Gandhian commitment to hand-based production and production
through symbolic relationship with nature. This is interpreted
in the context of modern culture-conscious design.
The project presents a
language of physical interface actions. It is derived from
classical symbols of the spinning wheel, turning of the prayer
wheels, touching symbolic pillars, spinning wheels, the act
of hands touching sacred objects, collaboratively constructed
quilts, sacred chanting in the collective group, the satsanga,
the touching and rotating of prayer beads. These tradition-based
interactions inspire a rich panorama of tactile interfaces
that allow people to access the multimedia imagery of Gandhi.
The visionary has gone.
But his dream may be unfulfilled. In this void, we do not
merely copy old forms and hold them sacred, nor capture photo-realistic
images of Gandhi frozen in time. We rather extrapolate Gandhian
ideals into newer domains of interest, information technology,
and product design.
Against the backdrop of
globalization, the Eternal Gandhi encompasses new boundaries;
in the inclusion of the world community in the production
of art and technology, and in the contribution of imagination
and skills from all over the world. The contributions of the
diverse members across the ancient countries of the world
illustrate the universal identification by all with the Gandhian
ethos.
The works of scholars,
artists, craftsmen, sculptors, carpenters, wood carvers, electronic
designers, digital artists, animators are like a dedicated
prayer towards a remembrance of the Gandhian vision. It is
like a collective ‘Likita Japa’, the endless recollection
of the Divine through repetition of the written mantra. Each
object in the exhibit, whether a bit of light, a bit map on
screen, an animation, a circuit, a handcrafted object is a
living prayer from all of us! Through the prayer we reaffirm
our commitment to the dignity of the hands, the healing of
divides, and the leveraging of village creativity and diversity
against a backdrop of homogenization.
Ranjit
Makkuni, Project Director
Sacred World Research Laboratory
New Delhi
www.sacredworld.com
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