By Prof Michael Wesley, deputy vice-chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement, University of Melbourne
In his just-released book, The Golden Road, historian William Dalrymple writes of the creation of an ‘Indosphere’ between 250BC and 1200 AD, when Indian culture, religion, architecture, philosophy and mathematics held sway across Eurasia, from Europe to Japan. Today, Bollywood appears to be laying the foundations of a 21st century Indosphere, as Indian film, dance and music become ever more popular across Asia and beyond.
When we look at the rising power that is India, we tend to overlook its cultural and intellectual vibrancy. India’s creative sector, currently valued at $30 billion and accounting for nearly 8% of the country’s workforce, is testament to a vibrant, diversifying economy where cultural expression is both a livelihood and a lifestyle. India’s creative industries have experienced substantial growth, with a 20% increase in exports generating over $11 billion last year according to reports.
Australia’s own cultural and creative sector has also been growing strongly over the past decade, and currently contributes almost 7% to Australia’s GDP. Culture and creative activities are a society’s expression of itself, and the dynamism that the Indian and Australian cultural sectors provide their societies is shown by the growing impact creativity has on their societies and economies.
Creative convergence
There is much both societies can gain by increasing the creative collaborations between their creative and cultural sectors. By observing and engaging with India’s vast creative ecosystem, Australia’s cultural sector stands to gain valuable insights and opportunities. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform content creation and distribution, a collaborative effort could lead to innovative, ethical and creative applications of these technologies, ultimately broadening the horizons of both nations’ creative economies. The growing, young and vibrant Indian diaspora in Australia will form the sinews of a new era of creative partnerships.
At the University of Melbourne, we aim to foster a creative network where Indian and Australian talents can converge, share, and co-create. The recent India and Australia Creative Connections Forum hosted at the University of Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi is a prime example, where leading minds, including author Vikas Swarup, shared their insights on India’s rich storytelling tradition—a tradition that offers Australian creatives a wealth of inspiration.
The Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi at Connaught Place is the University’s home in India and will amplify such cultural and intellectual exchanges by providing a structured environment for collaborations. Planned activities at the Centre, such as workshops, forums, lecture series, and cultural performances, will facilitate a continuous dialogue between Australian and Indian creatives, researchers and students. These interactions will undoubtedly spur innovations and enhance the global footprint of both nations’ creative outputs.
Robust partnerships
This centre is not just a physical space but a symbol of our enduring commitment to India—a commitment that has been nurtured through robust partnerships with educational and research institutes over the last 16 years, supported by our network of 1,400 alumni residing in India today.
One of the highlights of the University of Melbourne’s ongoing engagement in promoting cultural collaboration is the partnership between the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and Whistling Woods International (WWI), India’s largest film school. This collaboration has paved the way for successful projects that blend Australian narrative techniques with Indian cinematic prowess. Similarly, the Outback Theatre for Young People’s creative programme with Think Arts, set to feature at the Serendipity Festival in Goa, showcases the potential of cross-cultural creative endeavours.
Furthermore, the Science Gallery Network, involving Science Gallery Melbourne and Science Gallery Bengaluru, symbolises the interdisciplinary collaboration we aspire to deepen. This initiative engages young adults at the intersection of science and art, representing a spirit of curiosity and innovation that India and Australia cherish.
In line with the 2023 Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy ‘Revive’, which emphasises creativity, sustainability, and investment in cultural infrastructure, our collaborations with India will support the arts and creative industries central to both countries’ futures.
We aim to make a meaningful contribution to this field, fostering a collaboration that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Melbourne aspires to become a globally recognised cultural hub, and who better to learn from than a nation that has excelled in the art of cultural entrepreneurship for thousands of years.