From Bollywood to the Taj Mahal, and from riding a tuk tuk to enjoying the unique scents of popular Indian spices, visitors at The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples will soon have the opportunity to experience the wonders of India, a country rich in colorful traditions with a focus on the future. The Museum's newest cultural exhibit, Namaste India, opens to the public on January 21, 2023.
While encouraging global awareness and cultural appreciation, Namaste India features the vibrant art, food and traditions of the timeless Indian culture. With the goal to inspire visitors to compare the similarities and differences between their lives and those of children in the country of India, the exhibit features a variety of immersive environments including a dhaba (restaurant), marketplace, tuk tuk (or motorized rickshaw), home and school as well as iconic spaces like the Taj Mahal and Bollywood.
To provide authenticity and cultural accuracy, Namaste India was created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum in partnership with the St. Louis Indian community. The Magic House formed the Namaste India advisory committee, made up of 32 professionals from around the St. Louis area, all of Indian heritage. Formed with input from the St. Louis Mosaic Project, the committee played a critical role in the exhibit creation process.