To Be or Not to be...Conservation in India
We have inherited rich and vast material culture from past. It includes buildings, structures, paintings, and even wooden doors. The time line also varies in length and breadth. As Art Historian, we feel fortunate to have such a treasure to study our past. Same became a great challenge when it comes to conserve our heritage, as there are various materials from various ages in decaying position stand in front of us. Very first question is " shall we conserve our heritage?"yes we should as it is our responsibility and moral duty to hand over this heritage to the next generation.
looking at the current state of wall paintings at Bagh and Ajanta, or at the Mughal architecture in Delhi, or Miniatures, they all need to be conserved. now the next question is how shall we do it?
Because there are fears that once we start conserving, we may end up changing there inherent characters and spirit. As the conservators belong to this era so do there materials and techniques. So does it mean we shall not conserve them??
If we do not conserve them, then we will sure loose them in due course of time. Now here comes the big question TO BE or NOT TO BE...
There were few options discussed on 14 th Feb 2009, during Shri M.N. Deshpande Memorial Lecture. the lecture was graced by experts of the field, namely Prof.B.B. Lal, Prof. Dhawalikar, Dr. O.P. Agrwal, Dr. S.S.Biswas, Shri O.P. tandon and Shri K.N. Dixit. the lecture was attended by practising art historians, archelogists and conservators. This question opened a debate on the national policy of Heritage Management which as old as our constitution and needs a an updation and detailed guideline for conservation parameters.
There was a consensus that we should conserve or heritage. But how much interference, and what techniques was the next question.As discussed, here are the options:
looking at the current state of wall paintings at Bagh and Ajanta, or at the Mughal architecture in Delhi, or Miniatures, they all need to be conserved. now the next question is how shall we do it?
Because there are fears that once we start conserving, we may end up changing there inherent characters and spirit. As the conservators belong to this era so do there materials and techniques. So does it mean we shall not conserve them??
If we do not conserve them, then we will sure loose them in due course of time. Now here comes the big question TO BE or NOT TO BE...
There were few options discussed on 14 th Feb 2009, during Shri M.N. Deshpande Memorial Lecture. the lecture was graced by experts of the field, namely Prof.B.B. Lal, Prof. Dhawalikar, Dr. O.P. Agrwal, Dr. S.S.Biswas, Shri O.P. tandon and Shri K.N. Dixit. the lecture was attended by practising art historians, archelogists and conservators. This question opened a debate on the national policy of Heritage Management which as old as our constitution and needs a an updation and detailed guideline for conservation parameters.
There was a consensus that we should conserve or heritage. But how much interference, and what techniques was the next question.As discussed, here are the options:
- Shall we use excavated site to recreate our past for the coming generation? ( This options is valid for multiple sites belonging to a specific material culture like Harrapan Culture)
- Shall we create these material cultures through new age technology and create virtual tours for the same? (This option can be valid for all kinds of monuments)
- Shall we conserve portions which are at most important for the survival of the monument/ artifact?(This option can be valid for all kinds of monuments)
- Shall we demarcate areas conserved and document any such conservation done on monument/ artifacts?(This option can be valid for all kinds of monuments)
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