"Bharat Mandapam"

What is?

"Bharat Mandapam"

This topic is related to Current Affairs of IAS/PCS Preliminary Exam and Main Exam General Studies Question Paper-1 Indian Art and Culture.

September 06, 2023

In News:

  • Due to the G-20 summit being held in the capital Delhi on 9th to 10th September, Bharat Mandapam is in news all over the world.

About Bharat Mandapam:

  • Bharat Mandapam is the newly built International Exhibition-cum-Convention Center (IECC) complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, where India will chair the G-20 Summit from September 9 to 10, 2023.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the 'Bharat Mandapam' to the nation on July 27, 2023.
  • The Bharat Mandapam was inspired by the 12th century Anubhava Mandapam (a pavilion for public festivals) of Lord Basaveshwara.
  • This convention center will be open to the public of the country under the guidelines of the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Built at a cost of about Rs 2,700 crore, the convention center currently functions as a national project.

Objective:

  • The convention center aims to provide all the necessary facilities to contribute to the development of India as a modern nation.
  • To showcase India as a global economic destination.

Features of Bharat Mandapam:

  • The architectural design of the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center incorporates elements of India's traditional art and culture, representing the country's rich heritage and modern achievements.
  • The architectural design of the convention center is inspired by the shape of a conch shell, and its façade reflects various elements of India's traditional art and culture.
  • Symbolic presentations include 'Surya Shakti' for India's efforts in harnessing solar energy, 'Zero for ISRO' celebrating achievements in space and 'Panch Mahabhutas' representing the building blocks of the universe - Akash, Vayu, Agni are included.
  • 'Bharat Mandapam' has a magnificent multi-purpose hall and full hall with a combined seating capacity of 7,000 people, which is more than the seating capacity of Sydney Opera House in Australia.
  • The convention center also has a magnificent amphitheater with a seating capacity of 3,000 people.
  • The walls and façade of the campus of the center are adorned with paintings and tribal art forms from different regions of India, reflecting the country's rich cultural diversity.
  • The hall outside the summit hall of the convention centre, called the G20 pre-function area, is decorated with three large canvases showcasing India's rich heritage in the style of contemporary Indian miniature paintings.
  • In these miniature paintings, natural scenes like dance of peacock, call of deer, trees laden with fruits and flourishing animals etc. are depicted.
  • Printed carpets for the rooms of this convention center have been brought from Hyderabad, Bhadohi and Kashmir.
  • The art project of this convention center has been executed by Pune-based design studio Lemon Design Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Delhi-based Origin Inc LLP, which has previously worked on the Dandi Kuttir project in Gandhinagar and the Aquatic Gallery in Science City, Ahmedabad.

World's tallest Nataraja statue

  • The world's tallest Nataraja statue made of Ashtadhatu by lost wax technique has been installed in the Bharat Mandapam complex.
  • The height of this statue is 27 feet, width is 21 feet and weight is about 18 tons.
  • The idol of Nataraja has been created by the traditional craftsmen of Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Sri Radhakrishnan in traditional Madhuchhishta Vidhana (Lost Wax Technique) following the principles and measurements outlined in Shilpa Shastra.
  • Lost wax technique was used in the making of Nataraja statues in the Chola period (9th century AD).

About G-20 Group:

  • India is presiding over the 18th conference of the G-20 group in the year 2023.
  • This group accounts for 85 percent of the world's GDP. Apart from this, 85 percent of the world's total production takes place in G-20 countries and the share of the group countries in international trade is 75 percent.
  • Apart from India, the G-20 group includes America, Britain, China, Japan, Mexico, Germany, France, Russia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and European Union.

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Mains Exam Question

What is Bharat Mandapam? Mention its main features.