Princess Adilah bint Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz, president, Consultative Committee of the National Museum, Riyadh, has said that the exhibition “Libaas — Indian Costumes through the Centuries” scheduled in Riyadh from Oct. 5-25 is expected to open new vistas “in introducing the Saudi society to centuries-old rich Indian civilization and culture.”

In a special interview with Arab News on the occasion of the exhibition being held under her patronage, Princess Adilah said “This exhibition will be a source of inspiration for the artists and an opportunity to those interested in exchanging expertise and expanding their intellectual capacities.”

The exhibition will open at 8 p.m. today at the National Museum inside King Abdul Aziz Historical Center near the Riyadh Water Tower. India’s Minister of State for Small Scale Industries Vasundhara Raje will inaugurate the show, admission to which is exclusively for women by invitation only. It will be open to the public from Oct. 6-25. The exhibition timings are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The National Museum remains closed on Saturday. Admission on Tuesday is for families. Schoolchildren from Saudi and international schools have been encouraged to visit the show.

A graduate from the Faculty of Arts, King Saud University, the princess is associated with several philanthropic organizations working in the field of health care in Jeddah, Taif and Riyadh. “I also devote my time to the National Museum. The coordination with the Embassy of India to organize this cultural event is part of my voluntary work for the museum.”

She said culture, art and creativity are part of a universal language which cannot be restricted to “ geographical and racial boundaries. I believe that it is the best medium through which one can promote cultural understanding.”

In reply to a question, the princess said that a permanent exhibition of Saudi costumes would be held at the National Museum “very soon.” The National Museum, she pointed out, has scheduled several exhibitions, seminars and workshops that could provide a window of opportunity for cultural understanding and act as a focal point for experts on antiquities, ancient civilizations and the arts.

Asked about the role of the Consultative Committee, the princess said its principal role was to motivate women and children in promoting cultural activities, so that the museum could serve as a facilitator for understanding different cultures. Besides holding seminars and exhibitions, the committee also follows up on the activities of the museum and helps to identify other areas of cultural interest.

She commended the initiative of Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad and his wife Sunita Mainee Ahmad in organizing the exhibition. “Mrs. Sunita Mainee Ahmad, wife of the Indian ambassador, had suggested this exhibition of Indian costumes. It was an excellent idea to select what makes India distinct in its richness and diversity of costumes, its skills, mastery and precision.” Princess Adilah hoped that embassies of other countries would follow suit.

Such initiatives, she pointed out, would provide an opportunity to Saudis for taking a closer look at other cultures “without going through the constraints of traveling to those countries.” However, she said this depended on the extent of interest taken by different embassies in providing images of their country to the Kingdom.

Speaking on India’s cultural influence on the Arabian Peninsula, Dr. Laila Al-Bassam, an expert on costumes and textiles and also a member of the museum’s Consultative Committee, described at a press conference in the same context how Arabian costumes and pottery had absorbed India’s cultural imprints. The impact was also felt on jewelry, while the use of spices, perfumes and medicine (homeopathy and Ayurvedic) from across the Indian subcontinent was popularized in the Gulf states.

According to Dr. Al-Bassam, gold and silver threads were specially made for the Arabian Peninsula for use in embroidery. India also produced textiles tailored to the needs of the Gulf states over a period of three centuries or more. Gulf traders used to take their clothing to India for getting them embroidered. Clothes were also made in India specially for Arab wear according to their taste.

She said many other items, including ear-rings and jewelry, were being imported from India. These trade links helped to foster interaction between India and the Arabs in different fields. “Libaas” is a reflection of those links binding the peoples of the two regions through the cultural fabric.

Indian embroidery, experts point out, has had a hoary past. Excavations have unearthed bronze embroidery needles dating back o 2300-1500 BC, as also figurines wearing embroidered drapery. Similar embroidered textiles can be seen in ancient Indian sculptures.

These and many other aspects of Indian costumes have been highlighted in a lavishly produced catalog in English and Arabic due to be released at the exhibition. Priced at SR50 each, the publication contains indepth articles on the history of Indian costumes as they evolved over three centuries. An index of glossary at the end of the catalog explains the terminology of each dress, which is illustrated on glossy paper. The catalog is a valuable source of reference on the evolution of Indian costumes.