CHENNAI: Interested to know what is unity in diversity? Keen on understanding the beliefs, ideas and outlook that bind people in a country like India? Walk into the special exhibition on 'Cultural Confluences,' at the Egmore Government Museum. The expo features a variety of collections, including the specialties of anthropology and archeology besides several other disciplines. The votive offerings of tribals in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh besides the people of Tamil Nadu, demonstrated that people think and act in the same way despite several barriers - natural and man-made. Votive offerings are done in fulfillment of vows. Orissa tribals believed that man-eater tigers were actually reincarnation of men who were killed by tigers. To propitiate their spirit, tribals made wooden figurines of tigers and cheetahs. Similarly, Andhra tribals too made such offerings for their well-being. In Tamil Nadu, people made offerings of body parts like eyes in fulfillment of vows and placed them in temples after their illness was cured..Likewise, in south India, the cultural aspects related to temples and worship have striking similarities. Traditional vehicles for deities are just the same everywhere, be it Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. Be it Nandi vahana or Sesha vahana, it's all identical through the ages. Also, the theatre or drama form has impressive commonalities, but with different names.In Tamil Nadu, it is Theru Koothu, in Andhra Pradesh, it is Veedi Nataka, in Karnataka it is Yaksha Gana and in Kerala it is Ottan Thullal. The exhibition was inaugurated by Santha Sheela Nair, Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission. The expo is on till November 30 and will be open between 10 am and 4.30 pm. It is being organised to celebrate the World Heritage Week and the National Integration Week.
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