About India’s First Immersive Language Museum:
- Museum of Word, also known as Shabdalok, at the National Library campus in Kolkata, is India’s first immersive language museum.
- It was developed by the National Library under the Union Culture Ministry.
- It showcases the country’s linguistic heritage and traces the evolution of oral and written traditions through interactive, technology-driven exhibits.
- The first phase of the museum chronicles the diversity of Indian languages, scripts, and literature.
- Instead of being a conventional repository, it has been designed as an immersive cultural experience with digital displays, holograms, and motion-sensor technology to engage visitors.
- The museum has nine galleries that explore different facets of the history of languages and their influence on India’s civilization and culture.
- Shabdalok celebrates India’s 22 official languages and traces their journey from oral traditions and ancient manuscripts to printed works and modern electronic texts.
- One of its key attractions allows visitors to trace the evolution of words over centuries, illustrating how their pronunciation, meaning, and usage have changed over time.
