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Villages are our most precious heritage Indian villages – abode of our opulent heritage
Courtesy: Centre for social initiatives and management We are proud of our rich cultural heritage, but are we good at preserving it? Industralisation and urbanisation has led Indians to focus more on modern infrastructure and forget many old structures and monuments. We believe that the Government or Archaeology department should conserve and preserve monuments. Here is an interesting story, which tells us that we have a role to play. Dr. T Satyamurthy, who retired as director of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), is trying to change this mindset with his Rural Education and Conservation of Heritage (REACH) Foundation. He founded REACH along with a group of heritage-conscious individuals.
The foundation works to preserve and conserve structural heritage. They identify ‘heritage wardens’ and train them on various strategies to restore heritage sites and temples and also on the dos and don’ts of preservation of monuments. The Heritage wardens are also taught to read the inscriptions which narrates the story of the monument. “There are more than 60,000 dilapidated monuments in South India. How can the Government or ASI restore them? Our villages are the most precious heritage that was handed down to us by our ancestors. I strongly believe that the community around a monument should take ownership to preserve it. I call them ‘The Heritage warden’. They would be responsible for maintaining a heritage site in their neighbourhood or village. By grooming them across our nation, we can restore and preserve most of our monuments,” says Satyamurthy. He adds: “I am extremely happy with our work done at the Uttramerur Kailasanathar Shiva temple. The temple dates back to Pallava period (8th century AD). The temple was in ruins when I visited it a few years ago. But today, with the support of the locals from the village, a few philanthropists, IIT Madras and numerous heritage wardens, we have restored its old charm and beauty. The restoration work was done as per the norms laid down by the ASI.” A unique course, “Introduction to Inscriptions”, has been launched by the Academy of Archeology and Sciences of Ancient India, AASAI, the educational wing of REACH foundation. This has helped many Chennaites read the inscriptions in temples and understand the evolution of scripts. “If the restoration work for a monument requires a lot of technological intervention, we work in collaboration with the ASI or IIT” says Chandra, an active member of REACH. Do you want to restore any monument in your hometown or neighbourhood? Contact Mr. T. Satyamurthy at 94442 54285. Please visit www.conservehertitage.org to know more about the work done by REACH Foundation. “We never came near the temple until last year, as there were a lot of snakes and shrubs inside the temple and around it. It is quite surprising to know that such a beautiful temple was built in our village a thousand years ago. We will now ensure that the temple will retain its original glory,” says 18-year-old Solaimalai, a resident of Uthiramerur. Major achievements of Dr T Satyamurthy in ASI § Extensive excavation in Aadhichanallur, near Tirunelveli. Scientific research conducted on these findings reveal that Adhichanallur existed 4000 years ago and has provided proof to revise the date of Tamil Brahmi scripts. His discoveries were turning points in the research of history of Tamil language and culture. § Rediscovered and excavated the Sangam period Muruga Temple near Tiger Caves Mamallapuram which was submerged in the sea. § Thanjavur Big Temple Chozha paintings were digitally documented and displayed in the Big Temple premises. It ensured that the common man could relish and feel proud of Tamil heritage. - Latha Suresh |
