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Heritage callings…
If I had not become an architect, I would have perhaps been an archaeologist. I have a huge fascination for history and am constantly eager to know more. Because of which, in the past year or two, I have been enrolling in various workshops and courses on history, archaeology, architecture and heritage.
One such course that I am currently doing is a four-day workshop at the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV) . Conducted and organised by Manjiri Bhalerao and Saili Palande-Datar for TMV and Samvidya Institute of Cultural studies, this short exercise is being carried over two weekends, for the entire day. Called ‘Olakh Pune ani Parisarachi’ , this intense course is on Pune and its Environs, and tries to reveal different facets of Pune and its Environs, such as Geograpy, Biodiversity, Archaeology, Ancient and Medieval History, Traditions of Art; Architecture and Sanskrit Studies, Traditions of Literature; Music; Theatre; Dance and Films, Pune in 19th Century, Independence Movement, Post Independence Pune, etc. Many eminent experts from various fields have been brought together to lecture at this course.
Rangoli pic courtesy Manjiri & Saili
I have completed the first weekend and although have read and known about many of the aspects talked here, I have got a new insight and discovered many other facts unknown to me before. And it is a beautiful process this, to be able to keep learning and relearning. In the next post, I will share with you some of the interesting points I learnt.
I look at the history of thousands of years and I see the need of preservation and conservation of the tangible (built) and the untangible (natural, cultural to others) aspects of heritage, and at the same time I know that in 50 years into the future, what will be termed as heritage will also be the legacy we leave behind- based on our actions now. Are we prepared for that? Or will we wait for time to tell?
Where is our heritage going?
I often wonder, when I think this question, “Where is our heritage going?” It’s disappearing so fast, so it should be going somewhere I think… I wonder what train or plane it is catching, and to reach where? Why is it vanishing without a trace? Does it have a dubious past or a criminal record? Then why is it being chased off?
I conduct heritage walks [Pune Walks] around the city. And this is something that is very close to my heart because I always feel my heritage and culture make me what I am today. And I am proud of it. It’s wonderful to go and touch the old stone and wood, and breathe in thousands of years of history that was the foundation of the today we live in.
Whilst walking along the streets of Pune, all I see are the old wadas being demolished and new monstrosities emerging in the name of ‘modern architecture’, and I wonder, “Where is our history going?”
Old doors are displaying forgotten history and culture. Windows open out to new vistas and a new life. Sometimes one only sees these now lifeless ‘openings’, a mute testimony to all that had been. And I wonder, “What did those homes turn into?”
Sometimes, and often, I’ve wished I lived in a place that had this kind of rich history, culture and architecture; and since I cannot, I make do by spending time at them. And its a wonderful feeling to share these treasures with others.
But when I see the kind of neglect from the people and government, and also the cold callousness of the Building and Construction industry; not to mention the absolute sense of irresponsibility and lack of imagination from architects, I wonder, “Where are we really going?”
I mean, would you point out to a non-characteristic, typical, glazed facade and tell your children, “Look, this is our wonderful heritage!” … ?
