Chinese Actress Zhang Ziyi opened the exhibition. BimalJulka, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting accompanied the Chinese delegation on the occasion. 

The Chinese delegation included Tong Gang, Vice Minister State Administration of Press Publication Radio Film and Television of Peoples Republic of China, actor Tony Leung Chinwai, actress Zhang Ziyi and director XueXiaolu. 

A total of 120 posters from old films beginning from the first Indian talkie ‘AlamAra’ are at display. Of these, 90 posters based on the theme of Rhythm, Raga and Melody highlight the gigantic contribution of film music into the Indian consciousness. Each exhibit is accompanied with pertinent captions focusing on the musical contribution of the composers, singers, lyricists. It is a visual treat and refreshes memories of film music lovers through the informative captions and the audios of memorable and evergreen songs. 

A small section of 30 posters is devoted to the North-East Cinema. 

Film music is influenced by the structured system of Hindustani and Carnatic classical ragas. In the early talkies, most of the songs were based on pure Ragas but to crate melodies for the masses and to suit the requirements of the film, more than one Ragas have been used in the composition of songs. The most popular raga found in films music is ‘Pahadi’ followed by ‘Khamaji’, ‘Bihag’, ‘Maalkauns’ and so forth. 

The 90 posters chronologically showcase the celebrated classical music in Indian films. Beginning with score ‘De De Khuda Ka Naam Pyaare’ based on Raag Bhairavi and sung by WM Khan in the first film ‘Alam Ara’, the posters end up at ‘Jai Ho…’ based on Raag Bhairavi and Pahadi of Slum Dog Millionaire fame composed by AR Rahman. In between, the posters boast of various ragas used in Indian films such as ‘Khamaj’, ‘MaanjhKhamaj’, ‘Bilawal’, ‘Yaman Bilawal’, ‘Bhairavi’, ‘Nat Bharavi’, ‘Bhoopali’, ‘Bhoopali Todi, ‘Kafii’, ‘Peelu’, ‘Pahadi’, ‘Shivranjani’, ‘Deshkar’, ‘Chaarukeshi’, ‘Jhinjhoti’, ‘YamanKalyan’, ‘Gaara’, ‘Sohni’, Films have also played a very significant role in integrating folk music into film idiom. 

Folk music of various regions have travelled into the mainstream. The bhangra of Punjab, garba and dandiya from Gujarat, the lavanis and powadas from Maharashtra, the koli (fisher folk) music from the coastal areas, as well as the fakir songs of the wandering minstrels have also found their way into Cinema.