OVERVIEW OF THR RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
Currency has always predominated most of history in the form of money. It is a commodity everyone desires, very few have and practically no one understands better than The Reserve Bank of India, which is the apex banking institution in India and has played an important part in our economic evolution ever since 1935.
In the world of banking and finance, central banks are a relatively recent innovation and most central banks as we know them today were established around the early 20th century.
In India, the period up to 1935 was characterized by the quest for an institution that
would allow the provision of an ‘elastic currency’. The Reserve Bank of India was,
thus, established on January 1,1935 with Sir Osbourne Smith as the Governor.
would allow the provision of an ‘elastic currency’. The Reserve Bank of India was,
thus, established on January 1,1935 with Sir Osbourne Smith as the Governor.
The Reserve Bank, as a central bank of the country, has been a unique institution, not only in view of its distinctive role and responsibilities, but also for the awe it commands as the controller of currency and the repository of gold and other treasures. Its buildings have always been architecturally and functionally iconic.
COMMEMORATING 75 YEARS
For 75 years, the Reserve Bank of India has safeguarded the country’s money and also witnessed various political and economic changes in the global environment. The magnitude of this task was to create a platform to showcase this vast reserve in context
of the intricate stories that represent a nations growth.
of the intricate stories that represent a nations growth.
As part of its Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, the RBI decided to put into limelight a currency note exhibition representing the evolution of the Indian currency from the
1935 till date.
1935 till date.
The national-level exhibition was inaugurated by the Honorable President of India, Ms.Pratibha Patil and the then Finance Minister of India, Mr.Pranab Mukherjee in the
capital city of New Delhi.
capital city of New Delhi.
DESIGNING THE RBI CURRENCY EXHIBITION (1935-2010)
To create and administer a single currency across a country with an amalgamation of varied cultures and traditions posed a big challenge for the apex institution – a challenge which was overcome with foresight, creativity and design intervention.
The Currency Exhibition of the RBI, chronologically narrated the journey of the bank notes illustrating national growth, cultures, security, design, technology and dreams of over a billion people.
The Indian currency has always been designed with very intricate detailing and tactile representations of the era it was printed in. To bring out the same elaborate details, the panels were designed with illustrative graphic languages with bilingual representations to cater to a large audience regionally. The use of cultural & indigenous motifs and guilloches in panels made of wood to celebrate the rich heritage of the monetary system.
The use of well-lit displays ensured that the tiniest details did not go unnoticed. The currency exhibition was expected to attract a wide array of visitors and was built to educate the public with authentic currency notes from historic times.
The exhibition was modular so that it could travel across 11 cities, with an aim to make a clean structure that revolved around the metaphors of authority, heritage, intricacy, refinement and multi-layering for synchronization with the commemorative value of the currency.
The exhibition was a showcase of India’s Monetary might and also an opportunity to spread Financial Literacy, through a carefully designed experience representing stories & incidents down the ages from 1935 to today. Accompanied by interactive kiosks and information design systems including handouts (postcards & flyers) to engage viewers to carry back a piece of this history.
All the panels are designed keeping in mind the bilingual nature of content and visibility of notes from both sides.
Backdrop
Sagas
Postcards
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Currency Exhibition Panels Design
The design derives from the rich & delicate design of our banknotes. Use of elements like the seal, gillouche bring in the richness, authority & value to the design. A metallic band used as a header to the panel inspires from the metallic security thread. All panels are structurally similar but differ in colors & patterns based on the note series.
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