Towards conscious recognition of 'Living Heritage'
Prepared Under The Guidance of Dr. Vinayshil Gautam PhD FRAS (London)
(Founder Director IIM-Kozhikode, First Head - Management Dept., IIT-Delhi, Chairman - DKIF)
Emeritus Fellow & A Al-Sager Emeritus Chair Professor, Management Department, IIT Delhi by
The Office of MMCF Development
Preamble:
Heritage is universal, endemic and is a fact of life for all living things. It lives through the DNA, frameworks of reference and in case of Homo Sapiens, also, in the form of rituals, cultural constructs, beliefs and more. It continues to live, change and evolve so does it mutate, transform and thrive. Almost each passing day throws up a situation when awareness of this heritage helps reach better responses to issues that arise.
No knowledgeable person would ever debate or doubt the facts of heritage. It is another matter that, it being common place, it lends itself to being ignored in factoring the elements which go into decision making. The broad truths of life being what they are, one has to be conscious of one's heritage. This is true for individual, groups, corporates, societies and indeed nations and human existence itself.
The concept of 'living heritage' has design constructs to help face the facts of life with a sense of realism and in true traditions of longitudinal thinking.
Perceptions of Living Heritage:
To have idea of the broad range of perceptions existing with people on living heritage, a brief brainstorming session was conducted and the collations made of their thoughts. In this the participants included, Deepika Ahlawat; Raju Mansukhani, Sabina Bailey; Perry Garfinkel; Hazel Jain; Meredith Etherington-Smith; Jyoti Jasol; Mayank Gupta; Poonam Malhotra; Deepthi Sasidharan; Richard Hanlon; Shikha Jain and others.
Their ideas are reproduced below is a random order:
- "Living Heritage is an accretion of shared identities and experiences, of regional memories and local stories, of stone and brick buildings peopled with the smells and sounds of the past and the present."
- "Living heritage has the inherent distinctive dynamism to trigger development of modern facilities in ancient environments."
- "Living Heritage is precisely about preserving everything of value that teaches us to treasure our past in the present and to safeguard it for the future."
- "Living Heritage can be defined as a collection of practices, traditions, expressions, skills, and knowledge that are passed from one generation to the next. This understanding forms a complex system of knowledge that is unique to a particular population within a specific geographical area."
- "Living Heritage can neither be bought nor owned; it can only be inherited. It is universal; it has to be shared and is greatly cherished."
- "It is a compendium of constantly evolving knowledge handed down from generation to generation by stakeholders who in return from time to time share with everyone their experience with pride and respect."
- "Living Heritage is a commitment to community."
- "Living heritage: time past is time present and time present is time future. Living Heritage is the process of remembering understanding and re-purposing the best elements of the past to enrich the present and adding on to them with the eyes of the present and the future. Living Heritage should be inextricably woven into the traces of our ancestors' aspirations and achievements. Living Heritage should be a continuous process of adding to our existing heritage the very best elements which our contemporary eyes can visualize."
27th September 2012
- "Living Heritage should reflect the aspirations which come from our souls, with which we reach out to build the future inheritance for our descendants."
Inevitably, reference to House of Mewar and Udaipur came in and the perceptions were as follows:
- “Living Heritage is not about monuments, palaces and museums. It is much more than that. It is about a way of life - the
Indian way of life, the experience of our way of life - that needs to be understood and preserved. Living Heritage practiced in Udaipur, Mewar is also about balance - a little understood concept. The Legacy of Mewar is about oneness of mind and body, mind and soul, body and environment and society at large. And finally, life is about evolving - like the soul discards a body and accepts a new form, so we also should evolve as Mewar evolved over 14 centuries."
- "Living heritage is the reincarnation' translating into 'regeneration' which is the essence of Indian way of conserving-the sutradhar."
- "Living Heritage is the Vision for the House of Mewar. While we work towards Living Heritage, we are already the guardians of all other types of Heritage as well. It is therefore important to define the integral point of amalgamating these diverse points together. For me, the important focal point would be 'Community'. 'Community' falls within the ambit of 'Living Heritage' yet it is dynamic, vibrant and evolving. To create something singular in Udaipur we have to create something that is 'community oriented' and 'community driven'. I feel this is the way forward to achieve a sustainable model for Living Heritage. All other areas of our work like heritage conservation, establishment of art object galleries, promotion of education, outreach activities, media focus, tourism will then contribute to 'Living Heritage' and the high principles of custodianship practiced by the House of Mewar."
- "Living Heritage needs a force to keep it alive someone who cares enough to put in the hours to make it happen. It does not stay living without the effort and the tools, ie the lands, buildings or outside interests to support the heritage where it cannot be self supporting."
Insight into The House of Mewar:
The Mewars embody the best of what it should mean. As you often say, one foot in the past, one in the present and with one eye on the future to make sure those things of value from the past endure into the future, not as bronzed memorials to the past, placed on shelves and dusted from time to time, but as living presences in our lives.
Mewar having been brought up as a concept more than as a geographical identity has recognized it over its last 1400 years of existence. This has helped it to become the living legend that it has become, as a complete entity. The model of Mewar is significant because it has given to the living legend of Mewar a sense of proprietorship to all who are of Mewar and believe in Mewar.
'Eternal Mewar' a brand of Living Heritage:
The challenge, therefore, for Shriji was to bring the different identities of inheritance under one umbrella.
Eternal Mewar was conceptualized to provide the vision for the 21st century, it expresses, embodies and encompasses the core values, principles and the legacy of the House of Mewar.
Eternal Mewar covers all the activities of the House of Mewar.
Eternal Mewar has also emerged as a unique heritage brand exemplifying hospitality, cultural preservation, philanthropy, education, sports & spirituality for global audiences.
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar:
The present Custodian of Mewar, affectionately referred to as 'Shriji', is the 76 in the unbroken succession of Ranas going back to the 8 century A.D. He has captured this continuous reality and given it a context and meaning in contemporary terms.
The challenge for the current custodian was to find sustainable models to preserve this way of life, this culture that needs to be preserved, without being regressive, by being dynamic and looking into the future and integrating it into the future. Some fifteen years ago, Shriji began a process - part introspective, part cautious, that would eventually lead to defining a strategy for the growth and development of the House of Mewar; its significance and representation today and where can it go from here.
For Shriji, it became imperative to seriously address these important issues and this comprehensive strategizing gave birth, in 1995, to the document 'Inheritance 76'. This treatise emerged as the first structured blue print of The Futuristic Master Plan for the House of Mewar.
From this emerged the concept of a City within a City, a fairly comprehensive solution to the issues of progress and expansion that had earlier irked ASM. The resolution so arrived upon, ultimately became this vision. Within The City Palace Complex in Udaipur this concept is witnessing the development of educational institutions, sports, academies, medical, technical and engineering colleges and centres for excellence in fine arts and performing arts. At the centre of the concept, lies the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation that will facilitate and perpetuate this model. It is important to say that all the above models - from Inheritance 76 to Eternal Mewar were/are intended as strategies to sustain the Living Heritage of Mewar with changing times and, learnings from these models will feed into the 'Living
Heritage Policy' now being evolved by MMCF. Shriji is today focusing on the challenges that Udaipur will have to face in the future. "I am now concentrating my thoughts on developing a model of a Living Heritage that will also be a practical model of sustainable development." This concept takes away from singular cultural identification. In Udaipur, the endeavour is not to identify the city with any one particular monument, or any single concept and idea, however unique it may be. Udaipur is not merely a tourist destination. It is envisioned as the embodiment of a living heritage that is sustaining the essence of the past, yet continually updating itself with modern elements.
Shriji says "Today we are a living palace complex. Tomorrow I can see this idea grow to become a model of self-sufficient and selfreliant multifaceted enterprise that is able to generate revenues and meet the expectations of not just the people of Udaipur but also the international and national visitors who are coming to this historic city and contributing to its growth." He sees a tremendous synergy in the philanthropic and corporate activities of the House of Mewar. "In a word, we are here to serve," he says emphatically.
With his ability to convert practice into precepts and reconverting precepts into a practice by upgrading it, he has made Mewar the ultimate symbol of a living heritage. It is both forward looking and capable of handling contemporary challenges. By a continuous adaptation and modification of the living heritage to applicational principle, Shriji has made Mewar and its living heritage something to look at very seriously, if one wants to survive, with identity, in the knowledge era. If a man is known by his vision, then Arvind Singh Mewar's vision of a Living Heritage is set to earn him a rightful place as a befitting successor in the lineage of Bappa Rawal the founding father of the House of Mewar. It is a daunting task. "I realise that I will not be able to foresee its entire completion in my lifetime. I can, however, set an example that others may wish to follow in the future, a future that is so inextricably linked with the legacy of the past." Says
Arvind Singh Mewar.
A Possible Initiative of Promoting Concept of Living Heritage:
Prepared by Dr. Shikha Jain for MMCF - July 2012
LIVING HERITAGE OF MEWAR - An approach
1. Definitions
a) by UN Agencies
UNESCO (Convention 2003) has recognized living heritage in the context of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)' which 'means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills - as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated there with - that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.'
ICCROM, the Advisory Body to World Heritage Committee, UNESCO has recognized Living Heritage in promoting a people-centred approach to conservation. There is a growing demand for people-centered approaches to deal with many facets of heritage conservation including
- the recognition of the custodianship of people for the long-term care of heritage;
- the link of heritage to the sustainable development of society; and relationships with a wide variety of non-professionals.
b) The Living Heritage of Mewar
In words of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar: "The difference between heritage and living
heritage is that while one is history the other is living, dynamic and changing and you need to embrace the change." Since 566
AD, the Mewar family has followed the timeless concept of Custodianship. This legacy commits the family to the principles of 'custodianship form of governance that has evolved through changing times' and 'continuity of the timeless traditions, rituals and festivals of Mewar' thus ensuring the sustenance of the Living Heritage of Mewar.
2. Recognition and Promotion of 'Living Heritage of Mewar' and/or recognition of the 'Notion of Living Heritage'
The Living Heritage can be recognized at the UN Level in two possible ways:
a) UN Recognition of Living Heritage of Mewar:
Propose 'Eternal Mewar Festivals' or any other identified aspect of the Living Heritage (Music, Cuisine) of Mewar to be included in the Intangible Heritage List of UNESCO.
Minimum Time Period: 2 years
b) UN recognition of the 'Notion of Living Heritage': Target UN Recognition to celebrate a committed day in the year as a 'Living Heritage Day'.
Time Period: 2-5 years
Feasible Steps to achieve this:
Step 1: Organize National/ International Level Seminar in Udaipur in collaboration with the UNESCO New Delhi office,
International Experts from Advisory Bodies of ICOMOS, IUCN and ICCROM to explore the definition and dimension of Living Heritage across India. (Scheduled 27th - 28th November 2012).
Step 2: Work out a calendar of events/ seminars/ forums in Udaipur and link it with parallel presentations on Living Heritage by MMCF in International UNESCO workshops on the subject.
Step 3: The official proposal for Living Heritage Day can be forward to the Director General UNESCO, Paris after creating sufficient momentum with Step 1 and Step 2.
This proposal can be taken forward in 2 ways:
i) The Proposal is forwarded collectively through NGO's and Advisory Bodies and presented to the Governing Council of UNESCO.
or,
ii) The Proposal is forwarded with support of the Government of India through the Ministry of Culture and the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.
Acknowledgements:
We gratefully thank for providing the direction in Defining Living Heritage. Without his encouragement and support it would not be possible to articulate this document with such clarity. Thank you to Deepika Alhawat, Hazel Jain, Deepthi Sasidharan, Sabina Bailey, Jyoti Jasol, Perry Garfinkel, Richard Hanlon, Raju Mansukhani, Anuradha Sarup, Shikha Jain, Meredith Etherington-Smith, Poonam Malhotra, Devaki Singh, Vrinda Raje Singh, Bhupendra Singh Auwa, Nidhi Sharma and countless more who have over a period of time contributed with their thoughts and valuable inputs. Dr. Vinayshil Gautam PhD FRAS (London), (Founder Director IIM-Kozhikode, First Head - Management
Dept., IIT-Delhi, Chairman - DKIF) Emeritus Fellow & A Al-Sager Emeritus Chair Professor, Management Department, IIT Delhi
Developed by:
Dr. Mayank Gupta
Deputy Secretary MMCF - Development
Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation
Eternal Mewar
The City Palace Complex, Udaipur 313 001, Rajasthan - India
Telephone: +91 294 241 9021 - 29 Fax: +91 294 241 9020
Email: mayank.gupta@eternalmewar.in Website: www.eternalmewar.in
'Lucius Beebe Trophy'
won by The Royal Mewar Rolls-Royce 20 HP Tourer GLK 21
nd th at 62 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, USA on 19 August 2012
Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur in collaboration with UNESCO New Delhi and ICOMOS India is organizing an International Conference on 'Living Heritage'. The Conference is being organized on the occasion of the Festive Celebration of Kartik Poornima Ceremony in Udaipur, an Eternal Mewar Festival being celebrated by the MMCF. This conference marks the first in the series of programme and events that MMCF plans to organize under the theme of 'Living Heritage' in association with UNESCO New Delhi and ICOMOS India.
Tuesday, 27th November 2012
International Conference on 'Living Heritage' [Participation by Invitation]
The conference intends to present examples of Living Heritage in India and outside with the purpose to outline a clear framework to promote the concept of Living Heritage
Wednesday, 28th November 2012
06.30 pm : Kartik Poornima Ceremony [Passes Available*]
at Jagmandir Island Palace, a palace on an island in Lake Pichola, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur
As an initiative to promote the culture and heritage of Mewar and India, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur organizes the festival of Kartik Poornima each year at The City Palace Complex, Udaipur, under the umbrella of Eternal Mewar Festivals. The festival vehicles the values and history attached to Mewar and is a proof of the commitment towards preserving the heritage of the region by the House of Mewar.
*For passes of Kartik Poornima Ceremony on 28th November 2012, during World Living Heritage Festival, please contact:
Central Reservation: The City Palace Complex, Udaipur 313001, Rajasthan, India
T: +91 294 2528016-9 F: 2528006 Toll Free No: 1800 180 2933 and 1800 180 2944
crs@hrhhotels.com www.eternalmewar.in
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur has always taken its responsibility of preserving the remarkable tangible and intangible cultural heritage of erstwhile Mewar very seriously. This enormous responsibility is fulfilled through a comprehensive and informed set of initiatives. These include the maintenance and continued development of the City Palace Complex, Udaipur with its museum, local culture and celebration of festivals, documenting and researching cultural practices and creating forums for knowledge transfer. The City Palace Museum has been the seat for heritage, knowledge, rituals and celebrations for centuries and continues with this tradition in contemporary times through the initiatives of MMCF.
Today, MMCF is keen to share its best-practice and conservation experience with all interested parties and like minded institutions. MMCF has therefore launched an ambitious knowledge transfer initiative in addition to its implementable conservation programme.
MMCF now looks forward to a more objective oriented institutionalization in the field of Living Heritage. The Foundation aims at contributing to a large-scale systematic change with a focus on establishing a center of excellence of Living Heritage at Udaipur. This collaboration will surely strengthen the framework of Udaipur, its administration, civil society and people along with promoting the notion of Living Heritage at a global level.
Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF ), Udaipur in collaboration with UNESCO New Delhi and ICOMOS India is organizing an International Conference on 'Living Heritage'. The Conference is being organised on the occasion of the Festive Celebration of Kartik Poornima Ceremony in Udaipur, an Eternal Mewar Festival being celebrated by the MMCF. This conference marks the first in the series of programme and events that MMCF plans to organize under the theme of 'Living Heritage' in association with UNESCO New Delhi and ICOMOS India.
Identity of World Living Heritage Festival
The sound waves of the conch shell are the primordial sounds of creation and auspicious beginnings which are preserved in the multi-coloured Lotus leaves representing multiple cultures encompassing and preserving our Living Heritage.
One of the most ancient plants in existence, the Lotus is extremely resilient and considered the embryonic cradle of the universe from which unfold new worlds and new life.
The Conch and the Lotus symbolize brilliance, purity and usher in new hope which survives everything.
Theme and Content
The conference intends to present examples of Living Heritage in India and outside with the purpose to outline a clear framework to promote the concept of Living Heritage:
- Living Heritage of Udaipur
- Living Heritage Case Studies: India and International
- Outlining a Framework to promote Living Heritage
Target Participants and Speakers
- Representatives from Government of India, Government of Rajasthan
- Representatives from UNESCO, ICOMOS, IHCN-F, Institutions, Organisations and NGO's
Day 1
Tuesday, 27th November 2012
International Conference on 'Living Heritage'
Venue : Sabhagaar Conference Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur 313001 Rajasthan, India
Tentative Programme
09.15 am : Assembly and Registration followed by Tea / Coffee
09.50 am : Lighting of Lamp
Inaugural Session
10.00 am : Welcome address by Ms. Vrinda Raje Singh
CEO - Joint Custodianship Initiative, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur
10.10 am : Introductory address by
10.30 am : Keynote address by Ms. Marilyn Claire Truscott
President, International Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH)
International Council on Monuments and Sites, (ICOMOS), Australia
10.50 am : Special Address by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
Chairman and Managing Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur
11.10 am : Question and Answer Session
11.30 am : Valedictory address by Dr. Shikha Jain
Principal Coordinator, MMCF Projects, Udaipur and Director - Dronah, Gurgaon
11.40 am : Tea Break
Technical Session 1 - Topic : Living Heritage of Udaipur
Chair: Ms. Moe Chiba
11.55 am : The Case of Udaipur and Mewar by Dr. Shikha Jain
12.10 pm : Udaipur City as a Living Heritage and city to city partnership with The City of Strasbourg, France by Mr. K. S. Raykar, Director, Indian Heritage Cities Network - Foundation (IHCN - F), Mysore
12.25 pm : Discussion
Technical Session 2 - Topic : Living Heritage: India and International
Chair: Dr. Vinayshil Gautam PhD FRAS (London), (Founder Director IIM-Kozhikode,
First Head - Management Dept., IIT -Delhi, Chairman - DKIF);
Emeritus Fellow & A Al-Sager Emeritus Chair Professor, Management Department, IIT Delhi
12.40 pm : The case of Ladakh by Ms. Tara Sharma, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), India
12.55 pm : Living Heritage of Australia by Ms. Marilyn Claire Truscott
01.10 pm : Discussion
01.25 pm : Lunch at Satkaar Banquet Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur
02.30 pm : Visit to The City Palace Museum, Udaipur by Mr. Bhupendra Singh
Deputy Secretary MMCF - Administration, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur
Day 2
Wednesday, 28th November 2012
06.30 pm : Kartik Poornima Celebrations*
at Jagmandir Island Palace, a palace on an island in Lake Pichola, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur
As an initiative to promote the culture and heritage of Mewar and India, Maharana of Mewar Charitable
Foundation, Udaipur organizes the festival of Kartik Poornima each year at The City Palace Complex, Udaipur, under the umbrella of Eternal Mewar Festivals. The festival vehicles the values and history attached to Mewar and is a proof of the commitment towards preserving the heritage of the region by the House of Mewar.
Each year famous musicians are invited to perform at this festival in order to promote culture through music and also as an offering to Lord Brahma to whom the festival is dedicated. This year Eternal Mewar festival Kartik Poornima 2012 Experience the mystique of life! is proud to present 'Radha Raas' – sufi kathak and qawwali conceptulised, directed and performed by Sufi Kathak Danseuse Ms. Manjari Chaturvedi along with Qawwals from Awadh and classical musicians from Delhi. An initiative of the Sufi Kathak Foundation, the concept of 'Radha Raas' defines how a secular cultural spirit emerges when Hindu and Muslim identities merge into one another and transcend into love beyond the confines of religion, which is very relevant in today's time and is an idea that we think would find resonance with the vision and belief.
*Passes are available, please contact:
Central Reservation The City Palace Complex, Udaipur 313001, Rajasthan, India
T: +91 294 2528016-9 F: 2528006 Toll Free No: 1800 180 2933 and 1800 180 2944
crs@hrhhotels.com www.eternalmewar.in
