OVERVIEW

INTACH plays a vital role in the listing, documentation and conservation of historic structures and precincts of architectural, historical and cultural value. Our team of conservation architects is working on projects nationwide for the conservation of heritage properties and mobilization of resources in this direction.

The division undertakes a wide range of activities

• Listing or Inventorying of heritage properties
• Documentation and Conservation Plans for historic sites and buildings, heritage gardens.
• Restoration of historic buildings and their Adaptive Reuse
• Urban Conservation, including new development within historical, cultural and/or vernacular context that encourages revival of traditional building arts and crafts
• Development of Urban Haats
• Disaster Management Initiatives

About Natural Heritage

The need to conserve India’s rich natural heritage was of major concern to INTACH which led to the setting up of Natural Heritage Division in 1984. It advocates sustainable use of natural resources, works on eco-restoration, conservation and creation of environmental assets. The solutions range from the simple to the sophisticated, with technical emphasis to elements of social engineering, from pioneer projects to policy formulations. The initial focus has been on water issues, a vast complex subject inextricably linked to issues of human survival, biodiversity and wildlife habitat. This has inevitably led the Division to engage in larger environmental issues not confined to water management alone. The Division aims at influencing state policy and environmental impact of large private entities through carrying out pioneer projects and addressing policy lacunae by hosting expert forums.

About CCH

INTACH established the Craft, Community and Heritage division to conserve and promote the cultural heritage of communities living in heritage precincts by undertaking projects that help develop & upgrade their craft skills and inculcate in them a pride in their heritage and confidence in their skills. As a part of this endeavor INTACH works with several crafts clusters across the country for the development and welfare of the artisan communities. We assist the artisans with design and technological interventions to ensure marketable product, while marketing interventions assist the artisan group to find lucrative outlets for their products.

The projects establish a critical link between INTACH, an organization for the preservation of cultural heritage, and the community in which it undertakes its work. They also serve to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the region. Thus, INTACH has complemented it efforts to restore national and local heritage with projects that promote the development of the local inhabitants, ensure the health of the community and encourage the economic development of the communities residing in and around Heritage precincts.

About HECS

INTACH recognizing the importance of heritage education in spreading awareness among the people set up the Heritage Education and communication Service (HECS) in 1998. Since its inception HECS is working to create awareness among different target groups such as the public, professionals, city and local authorities, INTACH Chapters, school and college teachers, and students. It designs different types of training programmes with the aim to make citizens aware of their role in the conservation and preservation of their natural, cultural and living heritage.

About Heritage Tourism Division

Every community and nation try to protect, conserve and develop heritage as an asset, particularly to make them important tourist sites by developing better infrastructure and facilities, which offer a rich cultural experience to tourists and ensure cultural and natural heritage of the destination to be preserved and conserved.

To extend INTACH’s mandate beyond conservation, the Heritage Tourism Division was set up in December 2005. A cogent system of sustenance of heritage sites was evolved in the activities of the Division. This would allow people to have access to and understand heritage sites in complete detail. The Heritage Tourism Division’s primary work is to synergize heritage with tourism.

The Division works for development of sustainable tourism connected with heritage as an asset. A development of tourist facilities is in harmony with the local eco-system and heritage architecture, and regulates sensitivity of design in architectural style of construction of any new tourist facilities. The aim of developing tourism is to conserve and utilize buildings to sustain their maintenance. Heritage Tourism development aspects are:

• Community Development of tourist receiving destination
• Socio-economic Growth of the receiving community
• Preservation and Conservation of cultural and natural heritage sites
• Income Generation

Overview

The Indian Council of Conservation Institutes (ICCI) was established with the objective to preserve heritage for future generations. The center has undertaken continuous study and research to develop the best methodologies in the field of conservation science in India. As a result it provides unmatched services in conservation for art collectors. The center has also worked towards spreading concern for our heritage by conducting seminars and workshops to spread concern for heritage conservation.

About Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Intangible Cultural Heritage is the youngest division in INTACH and was started in June 2008. Underscoring its significance, ICH has been described as ‘the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.’

ICH Division has since, worked on various aspects of the subject, including documentation, holding an important international seminar on endangered languages in India, dying crafts, documentation of traditional knowledge, holding of workshops and participation in zonal meetings with convenors etc.

UNESCO has described ICH as follows:
“The intangible cultural heritage means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups, and in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage… “

Sikkim in different moods !

Rangpo post office could be soon declared as a heritage postal building

Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok, July 4: The second oldest post office in Sikkim, the Rangpo post office could be soon declared as a heritage postal building by the Union government following a field visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information & Technology.

A 12-member Parliamentary committee led by its chairman MP Achuthan today inspected the wooden post office at Rangpo bazaar, 41 kms away from Gangtok. The team was briefed about the heritage value of the Rangpo post office by Sikkim Lok Sabha member PD Rai.

Rai is also a member of the standing committee on Information & Technology.

“The Rangpo post office has been extending good services to the people. Generally people are satisfied with its services. It is a heritage building in Sikkim and once it is declared as a heritage building, its architecture will be maintained in its original form”, said Achuthan to reporters after inspecting the Rangpo post office and the telephone exchange which is also in the same around 1 acre complex.

Achuthan told media that the Parliamentary committee will be in Sikkim till July 7 for take an overview of the postal and telecommunication services in the border State. The team will also be visiting the Nathu La border to take stock of the telecommunication services being enjoyed by the defense personnel and local population. The committee will be interacting with the State government to get their feedback on the status of postal and telecommunication services in Sikkim during their tour.

The team is accompanied by senior officials from BSNL and Postal Services.

“One of the objectives of the committee’s visit is to inspect the heritage value of Rangpo post office. It will be made as a heritage building by the Ministry concerned and things are under process for the status declaration. It will be in line with the tourism thrust of the Sikkim government. There are already several post office buildings which have been given heritage status”, said Rai.

Rangpo is the main entry point to Sikkim and since its establishment in 1927, the office has witnessed the history of Sikkim especially the border trade with Tibet. Sikkim, at that time, was under a monarchy and the postal services under the British ruled India had set up the post office at Rangpo.

Though the first post office in Sikkim was established at Rhenock in East Sikkim near Kalimpong town in North Bengal, Rai was of the view that Rangpo post office should be first given the heritage status due to Rangpo being the main entry point to Sikkim.

“When it was established in 1927, lot of trade was taking place. The whole history of Sikkim can be interpreted through this post office. Once it is declared as heritage post office, tourists coming to Sikkim through Rangpo will love to visit it and take photographs. There will also lot of development in the post office at Rangpo. We will then make a pitch for Rhenock post office once Rangpo get the heritage status”, said the Sikkim Lok Sabha member.

According to the present staff members, the Rangpo post office when it was established had only 2-3 employees giving postal services in Rangpo town and adjoining areas. There are presently five staff and the scope of Rangpo postal services have expanded to international money transfer, speed post and making payments of MG NREGA and old age pension. It caters to the local population in Rangpo side of Sikkim and also the Rangpo side of West Bengal.

Churches and Convents of Goa

The Southern Indian State, Goa has some world famous churches and convents, particularly the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb of St. Francis-Xavier and Se' Cathedral. These monuments were influential in spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in all the countries of Asia where missions were established.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus, located 10 km east Panaji (Capital of Goa) was built in 16^th Century. 'Bom Jesus' means 'Infant Jesus' or 'Good Jesus'. Renowned throughout the Catholic world, this cathedral is India's first Minor Basilica, and is considered as one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. The layout follows simple Renaissance norms while the detailing and decoration is unabashed Baroque. It's an opulent structure, which incorporates white marble and has beautifully gilded altars decorated with frescoes and inlay work.
The Basilica houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa who died in 1552. Cosimo de Medici III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, gifted the mortal remains of the saint to the church. Today, the embalmed body lies in an airtight glass coffin positioned in a silver casket crafted by a 17^th century Florentine sculptor, Giovanni Batista Foggini. In accordance with his wishes, his remains were transferred to Goa the following year after his death. It is said that, while transferring, the saint's body was found to be as fresh as the day it was buried.
The mausoleum of St. Xavier is a marvel of Italian art (the marble base) and Hindu craftsmanship (the silver casket). The elaborately gilded altars are fine examples of sculptures and carvings in wood, stone, gold and granite. Columns are covered with marble and inlaid with precious stones. The church also houses paintings depicting the life of St. Francis Xavier.
Se' Cathedral, another celebrated religious buildings of Goa was constructed in 16^th century the Roman Catholics under the Portuguese rule. The Cathedral, the largest church in Asia, is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria on whose feast day in 1510, Alfonso Albuquerque defeated the Muslim army and took possession of the city of Goa. Hence, it is also known as St. Catherine's' Cathedral.
The construction of this imposing edifice began in 1562 during the reign of King Dom Sebastião (1557-78) and substantially completed by 1619. It was consecrated in 1640.
The church is 250 ft in length and 181 ft in breath. The frontispiece stands 115 ft high. The building is Portuguese-Gothic in style with a Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior. The exterior of the cathedral is notable for its plainness of style whereas, its vaulted interior overwhelms the visitors by sheer grandeur.
The main altar of the Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, and old paintings on either side of it, depict scenes from her life and martyrdom. On the right of the nave, is the screened Chapel of the Cross of Miracles.
Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of Lady of Rosary; Church of St. Augustine are among some other famous Churches and Convents of Goa.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team

Hawa Mahal

Jaipur's signature building, the Hawa Mahal, a multi layered palace, was built by Sawai Pratap Singh (grand son of Sawai Jai Singh and son of Sawai Madhoo Singh) in 1799 A.D. and Mr. Lal Chand Usta was the architect. Famous for it's beehive like structure, the Hawa Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs. This five storey building, which looks out over the main street of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry, with its pink semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household, to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team

Sun Temple, Konark

Konark Sun Temple, located in the eastern State of Odisha near the sacred city of Puri, is dedicated to the sun God or Surya. It is a monumental representation of the sun God Surya's chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses. It is a masterpiece of Odisha's medieval architecture and one of India's most famous Brahman sanctuaries.
The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life all its wondrous variety.
The temple declared a world heritage by UNESCO was built in A.D. 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I (A.D. 1238-64). There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months. The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week. Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konarak, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Sanchi, also known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a religious place with historical and archaeological significance. Sanchi is famous in the world for stupas, monolithic Asokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptural wealth dating from 3rd century B.C. to 12^th century A.D.
The Sanchi stupas are noteworthy for their gateways as they contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of Buddha and his previous incarnations, "Bodhisattvas", as described in the Jataka tales. Here, Gautam Buddha is depicted by symbols, such as the wheel, which represents his teaching.
Sanchi was virtually forgotten after the 13^th Century until 1818, when General Taylor, a British Officer rediscovered it, half buried and well preserved. Later in 1912, Sir John Marshal, Director General of Archaeology, ordered the restoration work at the site.
During Sunga times, several edifices were raised at Sanchi and its surrounding hills. The Asokan stupa was enlarged and faced with stones and decorated with balustrades, staircase and a harmika on the top. The reconstruction of Temple 40 and erection of Stupas 2 and 3 also date back to the same time. In the first century B.C., the Andhra-Satavahanas, who had extended their sway over the eastern Malwa, caused the elaborately carved gateways to Stupa 1. From the second to 4^th century A.D., Sanchi and Vidisha came under the Kushanas and Kshatrapas and subsequently passed on to the hands of the Guptas. During the Gupta period, some temples were built and sculptures were added.
The largest stupa, known as the Great Stupa, is surrounded by a railing with four carved gateways facing all the four directions of the compass. The gateways were probably carved around 100 A.D. Stupas are large hemispherical domes, containing a central chamber, in which the relics of the Buddha were placed. The stupas at Sanchi trace the development of the Buddhist architecture and sculpture at the same location beginning from 3rd century B.C. to 12^th century A.D. One of the most interesting features of all the sculptures here, is the lack of images of the Buddha in human form. The carvings have a wonderful vitality and show a world where people and animals live together in happiness, harmony and plenty. stylised depiction of nature is exquisite. Lord Buddha has been shown symbolically in inanimate figures. Presently under a UNESCO project, Sanchi and another Buddhist site, Satdhara, is being further excavated, conserved and environmentally developed.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team

State Central Library in Bangalore

FAQ

Questions

• What exactly is heritage? Is any old building heritage?
• And why should I care about heritage? Why should we protect heritage?
• I am the owner of an old house. Will INTACH provide funds to help me preserve it?
• So who can join INTACH? Do I have to be an architect/historian/archaeologist to join INTACH?
• And what can I expect from my membership? What are the benefits of joining INTACH?
• How much time does one need to commit as a member?
• Okay, how do I sign up for membership?
• In what activities will I be involved?
• I don't think I'll join just yet. Is there any other way of contributing to INTACH?

1. What exactly is heritage? Is any old building heritage?

Any legacy, whether built or natural, or associated with persons, traditions and ways of life can be broadly called heritage. An example of architectural heritage that is also closely linked to the founder of Bengaluru are the Kempegowda Towers in our city.
Bengaluru's natural heritage survives in Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, for example, or our many tanks and lakes.
Our food and festivals are a strong reminder of the city's diverse cultural heritage as the city embraces a variety of ethnic groups and communities and their traditions.

2. And why should I care about heritage? Why should we protect heritage?

We could wax eloquent about this, but briefly: Our heritage, whether cultural or natural, is an immense and irreplaceable source of life, inspiration, identity and livelihood; we all carry a bit of the past within us. Heritage helps us understand our culture and its diversity, and recognise the links between different peoples. And finally, protecting our heritage actually makes good economic sense. If intelligently done and well-managed, heritage attracts tourists and creates jobs.

3. I am the owner of an old house. Will INTACH provide funds to help me preserve it?

As a voluntary, non-profit organisation, INTACH cannot provide you funds to restore you house. However, we can advice you on restoration/conservation and can also do the job for you.

 

4. So who can join INTACH? Do I have to be an architect/historian/archaeologist to join INTACH?

Are you interested in heritage protection and conservation? Then you can join INTACH. At the Bangalore chapter, we do have a sprinkling of architects, but we also have financial analysts, engineers, writers and techies.

5. And what can I expect from my membership? What are the benefits of joining INTACH?

The biggest benefit of joining INTACH is that you become a part of a nationwide family of volunteers, all with a common cause. Apart from this, all members get

• -  a copy of the annual newsletter detailing all the work done by Chapters across the country
• -  a quarterly magazine, Virasat, which focuses on various conservation projects undertaken by the members
• -  invitations to INTACH events and lectures in their city
• -  a helping hand in any heritage project adopted by a member, that is within the purview of INTACH objectives.
• -  and, thanks to our being a national trust, INTACHers can also avail a discount on entry fees in some UK heritage properties.

6. How much time does one need to commit as a member?

As a volunteer member, you work at your pace and convenience. Specific projects, like an inter-school competition of traditional games or a heritage walk might require your involvement over short bursts of time like a weekend. Our active core member team meets about once a month, but stays in constant touch over email.

7. Okay, how do I sign up for membership?

Please go to http://www.intach.org/ and select the Join INTACH - Become a Member link.

8. In what activities will I be involved?

One of the Chapter's projects where we could do with extra hands is the listing of Bangalore's heritage. For more details, please go to our other projects section. As we take stock, literally, of our city's natural, material and built heritage, that is rapidly depleting, we find the need for volunteers who can contribute in various ways. Legal, marketing, fund raising, writing, sketching, research, design, photography skills are some of the areas of speciality we're looking for!
Another project that is close to our hearts is the revival of traditional board games. Again, more details are available in our products section. For this project, we need volunteers who can interact with schools - private, municipal, government etc - to introduce the games to students, train teachers to conduct inter-class competitions and finally, put together an event where these various schools will come together to display their new-found skills. Or if you like dabbling in design or have an eye for colours, help us design kid-friendly games. As the project gathers steam, one idea is to add more board games and bring in more interested kids into the ambit. If you speak Kannada fluently and like interacting with students and teachers, you're right up there on our wish list.

9. I don't think I'll join just yet. Is there any other way of contributing to INTACH?

Well, you could always volunteer your time with us, whenever you can. And support our cause. All contributions to INTACH (except membership subscriptions and purchase of INTACH products and publications) get a 50% deduction under Section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act.

courtesy: Intach Bangalore Chapter

INTACH signs MoU with Delhi Government to develop a World Heritage City

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), a nationwide non-profit organization founded to protect the common national heritage, concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Delhi Government's tourism department .


The memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Secretary (Tourism), Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH.


"The MoU is a very significant step in the beginning of a partnership with the Delhi Government in the field of heritage. The first step is that we will be working towards the long term plan for getting Delhi declared as the World Heritage City," said Chairman of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

He elaborated that the process involves a lot of exercise in various areas like Research. And, when it finally reaches the UNESCO to decide, it is to be shown what is being done.

"On the ground, we have this project for getting the areas from Humanyun's Tomb to Red Fort and area from Nizamuddin to Safdarjung and Qutub Minar all around to develop it as Heritage Tourism Circuit where it is properly designed in an integrated manner i.e the signages, furniture, billboard, small restaurants and also heritage buses. Presently, Delhi is not seen as a heritage city but as a taking off point for other cities," said.

INTACH has been privileged to be offered to sign a MoU with Prince Charles by mid-July in London to work on certain projects to be carried out in India.

‘Climate change full frontal attack on world heritage’

By C Sinha

The single biggest challenge facing the conservation of world heritage is climate change, as it threatens the culture and way of life for many countries, International National Trusts Organization (INTO) chairman Simon Molesworth said.

Molesworth was invited by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to speak at the 2nd Pupul Jayakar Memorial Lecture, held at the India International Center Annexe on Sunday on the occasion of the World Heritage Day.

World Heritage Day — begun on April 18, 1982 by The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and later approved at the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983 — is celebrated to create awareness on the vulnerability of the world’s monuments and sites.

Molesworth, an Australian, led a delegation at the Copenhagen Summit in December last year to press for including world heritage and its conservation as part of the discussions on climate change.

Terming climate change as a full frontal attack on world heritage, he said the small islands that are threatened by climate change are also in the danger of losing their cultural identity.

The series was initiated in 2009 to celebrate 25 years of INTACH’s existence. INTACH was a concept founded and promoted by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and activist Pupul Jayakar in 1984, which turned into an NGO and is now creating global awareness on world heritage.

The theme for this year lecture is ‘Heritage of Agriculture’.

Molesworth who has been at the helm of INTO and has been at the forefront of the battle to conserve sites across the world, also stressed on the need to build international cooperation to address new challenges.

He said the efforts of the movement are now visible as 185 nations - countries that have adopted the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention - are competing to list their monuments and sites as World Heritage Sites. The fact that tourism has increased in these places also is an indicator of the success. “It shows they want to showcase what the world can cherish,” he said.

Molesworth said he was impressed with INTACH’s work. “We live in a world of human endeavour and natural genius. In India, I saw the ingenuity of human skill and imagination. That’s the reason why we have 27 Indian monuments and sites in the list.”

WANTED an Army of Conscience Keep

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) invites you as an Indian, to join the fight for conserving India’s heritage.

You don’t have to be an archaeologist or a historian to join INTACH. You just have to care enough for India’s heritage. Today, more than ever, there is an urgent need for action A need for all of us to come together…to pool our resources, to voice our concern and, if necessary, to fight to preserve India’s heritage. It is to fulfill this need that a group of citizens came together to form INTACH.



A Heritage Once Lost is Lost Forever
In the past one hundred years more historic monuments have been destroyed, more artifacts stolen, more oral traditions lost forever - than in all the years our civilization has been in existence.

We seem to have lost the reverence that our ancestors had for all that nature and man had created. We seem no longer to care and our ‘indifference’ has already begun to take its toll. Every day, somewhere in the country, a historic building is pulled down in the name of progress. Others are damaged by flagrant vandalism or allowed to decay and fall.

Invaluable works of art and manuscripts are dumped in go downs without documentation and records. No one ever knows how many are lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. Priceless manuscripts are sold; unknowingly to kabadi wallas…ancient wooden carvings are broken down and burnt as firewood. Commercialization and mass production have begun to erode our oral traditions and craft skills.

At this rate our children may never be able to experience the richness and wonder of our heritage.

You as a citizen of India have the right to put an end to this senseless destruction. You have the right to voice your concern and a responsibility to protect your environment - and your heritage - whether it is preserving the character, beauty and greenery of your locality or conserving the glory of the Taj Mahal.

There is a reason

For every pain that we must bear,

For every burden, every care

There is a reason.

For every grief that crushes our heart

For every scalding tear we shed,

There is a reason.

For every hurt, for every plight,

For every lonely, painful night,

There is a reason.

Yet, if we trust God, as we all must,

It all can turn to be for our good, 

He knows the reason.