A mix of music and ecology: Influence of birds on music and culture

NT Features

The Indian Music Experience Museum (IME) is hosting an exhibition, Birdsong which explores the science behind bird vocalisations, as well as the influence of birds on music and culture. The exhibit includes a stunning display of award-winning bird photography, computer interactives that allow visitors to both hear birdsong and also make music using bird sound samples, illustrations of mythological birds, as well as storyboards that explain why birds matter.

The exhibition, which will be on display at the IME for a period till 13th and will be complemented by a host of events, public programs, nature walks, workshops and online talks. To commemorate the exhibit’s opening weekend, two special performances were presented, in collaboration with the Goethe Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan. On 01 April 2022, JISR, an Afro-Jazz music ensemble from Germany, and on 02 April 2022, a contemporary dance piece - ‘BIRD: Four stories in a song’ which is choreographed by Preethi Atreya. The venue for both performances was MLR Convention Centre, JP Nagar, which is adjacent to the IME Museum. An online version of the exhibition will be unveiled in June, in conjunction with World Environment Day.

Speaking about the exhibition, the IME’s Museum Director Manasi Prasad said “Birdsong is unique because, for the first time, it brings together music and ecology through an exhibit about the fascinating world of birds. We are all acutely aware of the depletion of urban biodiversity, and we hope this exhibition will encourage visitors to discover the importance of birds to both our environment, as well as our traditional and popular culture. The exhibition’s tagline, ‘are you listening?’ not only refers to the urgent need for environmental action but also inspires us to find music and beauty in our own surroundings.“

As part of the community activities around the exhibit, the Brigade Millennium Enclave, which houses the IME is being deemed a ‘Silent Zone’, in order to reduce noise pollution and create conditions favourable for bird biodiversity. The IME is also partnering with the Puttenhalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust to conduct nature walks and awareness events at Puttenhalli Lake, which is close to the museum.