IW Mardi Gras: Saturday 1 July 2017
Classic India The Taj Mahal. Famous mausoleum in Agra. Built as the final resting place for Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction took around 20 years, beginning in 1632 and finishing around 1653. The Taj Mahal is one of India s most admired works of art, as well as a famous landmark and tourist attraction. The name Taj Mahal means crown of palaces. It is made of white marble
Classic India The Ceremonial Elephant Indian elephants are decorated for religious and ceremonial reasons. Elephants are a significant animal in Hinduism, and most temples keep elephants for use in rituals and festivals. These elephants are said to bless visitors and are a popular tourist attraction.
Classic India Gods and Demons Ancient Hindu epic of The Ramayana Sita is kidnapped by Ravana a 10 headed demon and Rama goes to rescue her. Rama is helped by Lord Hanuman and an army of monkeys. In the end, Rama and Sita are reunited.
Classic India The Bengal Tiger The National Animal of India The largest of the big cats, can reach up to 10 feet tall Inhabits India s tropical plains and mangrove forests See Sher Khan in the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Classic India The Lotus Flower The National Flower of India Grows on murky water in ponds and lakes. Has a beautiful smell. Most commonly pink or white. Symbolises purity grace and serenity.
Classic India The Peacock The National Bird of India. The male of the species is more colourful than the female. A peacock represents the very essence of Indian philosophy. It is protected by law. In India people believe that whenever the cock spread its tails in an ornamental fashion, it indicates that rain is imminent.
Classic India Temples of India Temples are a wonderful showcase of art and architecture with amazing carvings and paintings. Hindu Temples are generally committed to one essential god, and different gods connected to the main god. The famous Golden Temple in Amritsar is a Sikh temple in Punjab. The outside is covered with real gold leaf. 35,000 people are fed here each day for free.
Classic India The River Ganges One of the world s great rivers. It is 1569 miles long. It starts in the Himalayas and ends at Bay of Bengal. It is heavily polluted with human and industrial waste. It is a sacred river to Hindus, who bathe in its waters. The Kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world, which 120 million people attend.
Heritage project. Colour and Chaos. Our Indian Heritage through Queen Victoria and Osborne House.
Imperial India The East India Company Set up in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth 1 for trading with Asia, mainly in textiles. Established ports in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Made its fortune by shipping tea from China through India. Was the biggest drug trafficker of all time (opium). The Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to abolition of the company.
Imperial India Trade 1869 opening of the Suez Canal and steam powered liners reduce journey times. Trading in Silks and Cottons Spices Jute and rubber Tea Trade exhibitions and the 1924 Wembley Empire Exhibition (Indian Pavilion).
Imperial India The Delhi Durbar Means Court of India. 1877. Held in Delhi to mark the succession of Victoria as Empress of India. She did not attend herself. Marked transfer of control from EIC to the Crown. Controversial, as it directed funds away from the Great Famine.
Imperial India Colour and Chaos in the Court Queen Victoria s passion for all things Indian. Her new found love of curry. Abdul Karim, her Munshi and confidant. Jealousy and discontent among the other members of the Royal Household. Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja, and the Koh-I-Noor diamond.
Imperial India The Queen s Jubilee Celebrations 1887 = 50 years of her reign. Public display of Britain as a global power. A troop of Indian cavalry accompany the Queen s carriage in London procession. Gives birth to the Isle of Wight Carnival Tradition.
Imperial India The Durbar Room State banqueting room at Osborne, constructed 1890/91. Designed by Bhai Ram Singh using Sikh decorative techniques. Supervised by Lockwood Kipling from the Lahore School of Art. Contains fine Plasterwork and Carton Pierre - paper mache. Fine Carpets from Agra
Imperial India Gifts from India Collection of exquisite gifts on display in the Durbar Room presented to Queen Victoria by the Indian people. Lots of stories to unpack in this section: Where from? Who? Why?
Imperial India People and Portraits Austrian painter Rudolf Swoboda was commissioned to paint the portraits in the Durbar corridor. He travelled the country for two years, painting a cross section of Indian society. Indian Dignitaries, craftsmen, soldiers and servants are represented here.
Imperial India Gandhi Leader of the Indian Independence movement - Indian National Congress. A man of peace. Encouraged non-violent civil disobedience. Studied law in London. Worked in S Africa under Apartheid. Campaigned for human rights. The Salt March for freedom. The Mountbatten Plan and Partition. Gandhi visited Ventnor, Isle of Wight in 1890
Modern India National Pride: The Indian Flag Idea first proposed by Gandhi in 1921.Adopted on 22 July 1947. Saffron represents strength and courage. White represents peace and truth. Green represents the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. The Dharma Chakra depicted the "wheel of the law" The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. The Flag Code. Respect the dignity and honour of the flag.
Modern India Transport Public transport is the predominant mode of local travel in cities. Indian Railways is the biggest employer in the world with over 1.376 million employees. Trains carry 22 million passengers a day. Tuk-Tuks or Auto Rickshaws are one of the most recognised icons of modern India.
Modern India Indian Pastimes Cricket is the most played sport. Kabaddi, an indigenous sport, is popular in rural India. Kite flying is common, especially around festivals. Snakes and ladders and Ludo originated in ancient India. Chess also comes from ancient India.
Modern India Information technology Software producing capital of the world. Exports to almost 100 countries. Bangalore is India s silicon valley. India is a world leader in digital gaming and gaming technology.
Modern India Bollywood Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai. Over 100 years old. Produces more than a thousand movies each year. Bollywood refers to the origins of Indian cinema in Bombay and Hollywood. Usually contains all of : singing, dancing, romance, comedy and action. Songs are the most important and are released ahead of the movie to grow audience.
Modern India Holi: Festival of Colours Hindu festival to herald in the spring in early March. Symbolises love and a new beginning. In Hindu legend, Lord Krishna covered Radha and her friends in coloured water and ran off with their clothes! Celebrated with a Bonfire on the eve of Holi (Holika Dahan) and the next morning with the throwing of coloured powders.
Modern India Diwali: Festival of Lights India s most important holiday, gifts are exchanged and homes are decorated. Diya lamps are lit, representing the victory of good over evil. Rangoli patterns decorate floors and pavements People make offerings to Lakshmi and Ganesh for wealth and good luck.
Modern India Carnaval The Catholic tradition of Carnival, brought to Goa by the Portuguese in 1510. It is celebrated 4 days before Ash Wednesday. Latin flavours, dancers, drummers, floats, masks. King Momo presides over the carnival, ordering people to party. Grand Balls in evenings.
Thankyou!
Classic India The Taj Mahal The Ceremonial Elephant Gods and Demons The Bengal Tiger The Lotus Flower The Peacock Temples of India The River Ganges Imperial India The East India Company Trade The Delhi Durbar Colour and Chaos Jubilee Celebrations The Durbar Room Gifts from India People and Portraits Gandhi Modern India The Indian Flag Transport Indian Pastimes Information Technology Bollywood Holi: Festival of Colours Diwali: Festival of Lights Carnaval!