Bengaluru, July 29, 2024 – In commemoration of its 5th year of foundation, Indian Music Experience Museum (IME), India’s first and only interactive music museum envisioned as a space to celebrate India’s rich musical tapestry, will be holding 12 special events over the next 12 months. As part of its anniversary celebrations, IME plans to hold a mega music festival in the month of September this year. This will be an annual flagship event going forward. Instituted by the Brigade Group as a cultural cornerstone of its philanthropic initiatives, IME serves as a testament to India’s harmonious diversity and compelling musical repository. After completing an eventful journey of five years, IME continues to innovate with its state-of-the-art multimedia Exhibit Galleries, Sound Garden, Learning Centre, and versatile performance spaces, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all visitors. This museum is a testament to Brigade Group’s deep commitment to supporting the arts and creating vibrant public spaces. IME’s conception is underpinned by a vision to introduce today’s youth to Indian music’s astounding diversity and simultaneously preserving this abundant legacy for generations to come.
“In Seattle, I saw the Jimmy Hendrix Museum which made me think that if a whole museum can be dedicated to a single musician, India, which has hundreds of years of musical and great musicians, needed a museum to showcase its heritage to young Indians. The Indian Music Experience Museum (IME) was thereby conceptualised and created as India’s first interactive museum of music. IME is doing a creditable job of nurturing various genres of music and it is a dream fulfilled and mission accomplished.”, said Mr. M.R Jaishankar, Executive Director, Brigade Group.
“Indian Music Experience Museum came into being as a community development initiative to educate especially the younger generation, about the diverse and rich musical heritage of our country. We wanted an accessible and interactive approach so everyone could craft their own unique experience when engaging with the exhibits. We were able to bring some of the leading experts from within and outside India to set up a cultural institution that would be one of a kind. The IME is a fantastic place for all generations to visit together.”, said Ms. Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Group
Reflecting on the milestone of completing 5 years, Ms. Preema John, Museum Director remarked, “IME has now been part of the cultural landscape of Bangalore for a remarkable five years! IME opened its doors to the public in 2019. It is with a renewed sense of purpose to build a lasting cultural legacy for future generations that we embark into the future, full of love and admiration for Indian music and its ability to bring us together as one community with a multitude of artistic expressions. On this milestone, I gratefully acknowledge the invaluable contributions of academicians, scholars, musicians, partners, donors, and the people of Bengaluru who have collectively shaped IME into the museum it stands as today. Here’s to harmonizing into the future!”
Since opening its doors in 2019, the IME has welcomed over 250,000 in-person visitors, with many thousands more engaging online. In just five years, the museum has hosted 194 public events and performances, enriching the cultural landscape, curated 2 physical and 5 online exhibitions in collaboration with platforms like Google Arts & Culture, conducted workshops engaging 15,679 students at the Learning Centre, and positively impacted the lives of 4,595 individuals through various community outreach initiatives.