Namaste India
From the vibrant streets of Bollywood to the majestic Taj Mahal, and from the exhilarating ride in a tuk tuk to the aromatic spices of an Indian marketplace, CDM invites you to immerse yourself in the rich traditions and future-forward culture of India. Namaste India, the Museum’s newest cultural exhibit, opens on January 18.
Discover India’s Vibrant Culture
Designed to foster global awareness and appreciation, Namaste India brings to life the art, food, and traditions of this timeless culture. Through a variety of immersive environments, you and your family can explore similarities and differences between daily life in India and your own. Highlights include:
- Dhaba (Restaurant): Prepare roti and other traditional dishes in a clay tandoor oven.
- Marketplace: Engage your senses by smelling popular Indian spices, arranging a mithai box, and practicing block printing.
- Tuk Tuk Ride: Experience a simulated ride in India’s famous three-wheeled rickshaw and pay just like locals using QR code technology.
- Bollywood: Walk the red carpet, dress in colorful sarees, and enjoy clips from India’s iconic film industry.
- Cricket: Try your hand at cricket, the second most popular sport in the world, complete with jerseys and wickets.
- Family Home: Step into a traditional Indian home, practice yoga, and pack a tiffin box for school.
Developed in partnership with the St. Louis Indian community, Namaste India reflects the expertise and insights of the Namaste India Advisory Committee, comprising 32 professionals of Indian heritage. This collaboration ensures every detail authentically represents India’s diverse and vibrant culture. In addition, CDM has hired a Community Engagement Coordinator to support the Museum's programming and events for this exhibit.
Featured Experiences:
- Bollywood: Pose for photos, watch film clips, and celebrate the world’s biggest film industry.
- Tuk Tuk: Simulate a ride in India’s famous motorized rickshaw.
- Cricket: Learn and play India’s favorite sport.
- School: Experience a day in the life of Indian students, learning Hindi and crafting flags.
- Marketplace: Smell spices, create mithai boxes, and shop at a fabric market.
- Dhaba: Cook and serve traditional dishes in a roadside eatery setting.
Plan Your Visit
Namaste India is included with Museum admission and will run from January 18 through May 11. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to explore India’s rich history and modern innovations.
Generously Supported By:
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.
Namaste India is made possible thanks to generous donors, including lead gifts from the
Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Bal Vihar of St. Louis, Bayer Fund, CEdge, Daugherty
Business Solutions, Mastercard, Tim and Elizabeth Swank and Linda and Jesse Hunter as
well as additional generous individual donors.
