On April 18, local time, students from business studies, information technology and other majors attended a special cultural experience class at Osmania University. The “main characters” of this class were two short videos telling the stories of two national treasures of China: “Tree-shaped gold shimmering headdress” and “Lacquer Shuanglu chess from the Liao Dynasty”. The use of digital techniques brought the cultural relics to life and showcased their glamour and grace. Both teachers and students were fully immersed in the experience.
The tree-shaped gold shimmering headdress is characterized by “one tree in bloom, a thousand beams of light shining”. The headdress features pendants of gold leaves on every branch, which sway gracefully even with the slightest movement. The lacquer Shuanglu chess from the Liao Dynasty is characterized by “wuthering world on a small chessboard, enduring popularity throughout centuries”. The chessboard, chess pieces, and dice are well-preserved. Through the lacquer Shuanglu chess, one can envisage an ongoing intense chess game between Khitan aristocrats. These two short videos are selected from the large-scale and omnimedia project National Treasures in Liaoning launched by Liaoning Media Group. The extensive use of 3D scanning techniques and animation special effects adds an aura of fantasy, variety and unique beauty to the cultural relics in the videos. It not only won the wonder and admiration of the teachers and students present but also received wide acclaim from the audience.
“The tree-shaped gold shimmering headdress is beautiful to a breathtaking extent”, said Harshitha, a junior student majoring in information technology. “This is the first time that I have seen a tree-shaped headdress for women. One can imagine how fantastic it will sound with every step of a Chinese lady in ancient times”.
While female students expressed their great admiration for the tree-shaped gold shimmering headdress, several male students expressed rich interest in the lacquer Shuanglu chess from the Liao Dynasty. “The video of the Shuanglu chess represents the real life scenes of the aristocracy in the Liao Dynasty. It provides us with a fresh perspective to learn about Chinese history and culture,” said Yakhith, a junior student majoring in information technology. “Through these cultural relics, I have learnt that Liaoning is a place of rich culture and long history. I hope to have the opportunity to visit historical sites, appreciate cultural relics and enjoy the scenery in Liaoning.”
“This is a memorable learning experience,” said Naga Sinduja, a freshman majoring in business studies. “China and India are both countries with ancient civilizations and long histories. Through the Internet, National Treasures in Liaoning project is presented at Indian universities. It is a cultural exchange and mutual learning between two civilizations, enabling young people to appreciate the charm of diverse cultures. I yearn more for China now.”
Founded in 1918, Osmania University is one of the most prestigious state universities in India. The students here have outstanding academic performance and broad horizons. While committed to delving deep into their specialized knowledge, they also learn widely about the cultures and histories of other countries. Cultural experience classes enjoy great popularity here.
