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Australia’s indigenous storytelling exhibition ‘Walking through a Songline’ brings joy to Kolkata

The exhibition brings to life Australia’s ancient songlines—oral traditions passed down through 65,000 years by First Nations people to map histories, tribal routes, and ecological knowledge essential for survival in the Australian outback.

Kolkata, the City of Joy, has welcomed Walking Through a Songline, an award-winning immersive digital exhibition that celebrates one of the oldest storytelling traditions in the world.

Australia’s Consul General in Kolkata shared on X, “Walking Through a Songline is an amazing exhibition… Strongly encourage everyone to visit!”

The exhibition brings to life Australia’s ancient songlines—oral traditions passed down through 65,000 years by First Nations people to map histories, tribal routes, and ecological knowledge essential for survival in the Australian outback.

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Known as “dreaming pathways,” these songlines record ancestral journeys across Australia, documenting everything from seasonal vegetation to sustainable living practices.

Image: Walking through a Songline exhibition (Source: DFAT)

Produced by the National Museum of Australia in collaboration with Mosster Studio, Walking Through a Songline combines art and technology to immerse visitors in a world where paintings and stories come alive.

This powerful visual experience has travelled through South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States, and has been displayed in major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, expressed pride in sharing Indigenous Australian culture with India, saying, “This exhibition allows audiences to experience ancient stories of our rich Indigenous culture and history through innovative technology. I am proud that through art, we can bring our First Nations stories and knowledge to the people of India.”

This Kolkata showing is part of Australia now, a public diplomacy initiative by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, Deakin University, and ANZ.

Visitors to Walking Through a Songline can explore projections and interactive displays that capture the essence of these songlines, offering a striking, artistic journey into one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world.

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The exhibition will be on display at the Indian Museum until 30 November.

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