Sat May 31 14:37:55 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

While other nations at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, are emphasizing technological advancements, India is highlighting its cultural heritage and “soft power.” The Indian pavilion, curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), focuses on an “immersive civilisational experience,” drawing inspiration from ancient philosophies and showcasing elements like Bodhisattva Padmapani from the Ajanta Caves, a Lotus Courtyard displaying Bodhisattva forms and Ajanta frescoes, an Oneness Lounge with a Bodhi tree, and a Heritage Zone featuring UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The pavilion also incorporates India’s space program and promotes Yoga and Ayurveda for well-being, reflecting the nation’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and progress.

**News Article:**

**India Shines Spotlight on Cultural Renaissance at Osaka World Expo**

**Osaka, Japan – May 31, 2025** – As nations across the globe showcase cutting-edge technology at the World Expo in Osaka, India has taken a different approach, emphasizing its rich cultural heritage and “soft power” on the world stage. The Indian pavilion, designed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), offers visitors an “immersive civilisational experience,” highlighting the nation’s ancient philosophies and traditions.

The Osaka Expo, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” aims to foster collaboration and innovation to address global challenges. While many countries are displaying technological advancements, India’s pavilion focuses on its spiritual heritage and cultural renaissance.

Key features of the Indian pavilion include a Lotus Courtyard displaying Bodhisattva forms and artistic reproductions of frescoes from the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The “Oneness Lounge” centers around an abstract reimagining of the Bodhi tree, while the “Heritage Zone” showcases India’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, aiming to boost tourism and global recognition.

“From conceptualization to storytelling, IGNCA has played the role of a modern-day sutradhar (narrator), stringing together India’s ancient philosophies and contemporary ambitions,” a senior official at IGNCA said.

The pavilion also incorporates exhibits highlighting India’s space program and promotes the benefits of Yoga and Ayurveda. By emphasizing its cultural strengths, India aims to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and progress on a global scale. The pavilion is open to visitors from now until the Expo’s conclusion on October 13th.

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