An ancient idol of the Avalokitasvara Padmapani, a god of the Buddhist pantheon has been found in the Pipli block of the Puri district, according to INTACH. The nearly 10-inch high idol, with inscription on its rear, was found in the 'garbagriha' or the sanctum sanctorum of the Rameswar Shiva temple at Bageswarpur village. The temple priest had kept it for years on the 'singhashan' (throne) of the deities and the idol was worshipped as 'Dhyani Mahadeva' (Mahadev or Shiva sitting in meditation), said a sources at INTACH in an interview with PTI. Similar inscribed stone images of Avalokitasvara has also been found in the Ratnagiri and Udayagiri sites as well. Many of the discovered artifacts are terracotta tablets, but according to the source, a stone carved image like the one found in Puri is a rare find. What makes it even more significant is the fact that the inscriptions on it are clear and has not eroded.

In Buddhism, Avalokitasvara is a bodhisattva who contains the com all Buddhas. He has 108 avatars, the most notable of which is Padm lotus bearer). The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) world's largest organisations involved with the conservation and sp awareness regarding heritage and ancient artifacts. The organisatio written to the Odisha State Museum and has asked them to take a estampage of the inscription. A replica of which will also be kept at Lalitgiri museum. An estampage of the statue for deciphering the script was also take INTACH. Estampage is stamping on clay or other material to obtain the exac an inscription that cannot be transported. A four-member INTACH team, comprising Biswajit Mohanty and Bishnu Mohan Adhikari besides Dhir and Nayak have been surveying the monuments in the Daya and Ratnachira river valleys for the past one year. The idol was found during it.

Dhir said, the early river valley civilisations which were spread across Odisha have rich archaeological heritage. These civilisations came into being when early man began to move from a hunting and gathering existence to an agrarian one. They gave up their nomadic existence and settled around the river valleys, as it was easy to grow crops for themselves and their animals. These ancient river civilisations set the foundation for later civilisations, which were replaced by modern ones. Odisha abounds in such river valley civilisations and proper archaeological and heritage studies should be undertaken, he added. INTACH has completed a comprehensive survey of the heritage of the Prachi and Mahanadi Valleys too. (With inputs from PTI)

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/ancient-avalokitasvara-idol-with-inscription-discovered-in-odisha-by-intach-team/articleshow/100444434.cms, April 1, 2023

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has requested the government to preserve historically significant structures, including the Vilakkumadom at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Wayanad district during the temple's renovation, reports The Hindu. The renovation, which is being done by the Tourism Department at a cost of ₹3.8 crore, has caused concern about the loss of historically valuable precincts. INTACH has urged the authorities to discuss the matter with experts, including historians, conservation architects, and researchers, and to maintain the status quo of the Vilakkumadom. Dr. Jayarajan told The Hindu, "With its history tracing back to the 15th century AD involving certain stories related to the architecture and style of the temple, we observe that its key elements have not been valued or taken into account seriously during the ‘renovation’ process.” “It is said that the work was launched by the king of Coorg without the permission of the temple’s custodian, the Kottayam Raja. Later, the Kottayam Raja ordered to stop the construction work, and the structure remained untouched afterwards,” he said. About Thirunelli Temple Thirunelli Temple, also called the Amalaka or Sidha Temple, is a Vishnu temple located in the picturesque Wayanad district of Kerala. The temple derives its name from the idol of Lord Vishnu which rests on an amla tree in a valley and was discovered by Lord Brahma during his journey around the globe. The architecture of Thirunelli Temple adheres to the traditional Kerala style, featuring an inner sanctum encircled by a tile roof structure, and an open courtyard surrounding it. The eastern entrance of the temple is adorned with an exquisite granite lamp post, and the outer wall of the temple is enclosed by granite pillars cut in a cubicle style that is not commonly found in Kerala. The temple is nestled amidst the serene natural beauty of mountains, forests, and water bodies, which further enhance the spiritual aura of the temple. The temple complex is also home to a sacred pond called Papanasini. What is the cause of concern? The ongoing renovation of the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Thirunelly, Wayanad district, has raised concerns about the preservation of the heritage of the 600-year-old Vilakkumadom structure. The structure, made of exquisite granite, has a rich history dating back to the 15th century AD. However, its key elements have not been reportedly considered during the renovation process, potentially resulting in a loss of heritage and a gap in value and importance. The completion of the Vilakkumadom structure and the destruction of the Chuttambalam, a rectangular structure covering the temple, may lead to the heritage being forgotten or misinterpreted in the future. The incomplete structure had stood as a testimony to a rich cultural heritage but has been remodelled in an insensitive way. The work was said to be launched by the king of Coorg without the permission of the temple’s custodian, Kottayam Raja. Still, later, the Kottayam Raja ordered the construction work, and the structure remained untouched.

https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/why-intach-has-requested-government-to-preserve-thirunelli-temple-600735.html, April 5, 2023

INTACH organises talk on ‘Keezhadi: Sangam Age Site Excavations’; T.S. Subramanian says a history teacher of the government was the first to recognise the historical site From among the excavations of the Keezhadi archaeological site, situated 13 km from Madurai, ivory chess pieces, ivory dice and terracotta hopscotch stones were found, T.S. Subramanian, former Associate Editor, Frontline, said on Thursday. Speaking on “Keezhadi: Sangam Age Site Excavations” at an event organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Chennai Chapter, at Ashvita, he said the excavations had shown brick structures, ring wells, drainage systems and furnaces belonging to the Sangam age.

The people of those times thrived producing textiles, making jewellery using terracotta and semi-precious stones, made terracotta pottery, drilled ivory, made iron implements and used bricks made in kilns for many centuries. Mr. Subramanian said the credit for finding Keezhadi and getting a site museum must go to V. Balasubramaniam, a history teacher at the Government High School at Keezhadi in the 1970s. He was the one who found some 14th Century terracotta artefacts in 1978 at Pallichandai Thidal and informed V. Vedachalam, who was an epigraphist with the State Archaeology Department in Madurai. Though he visited the area and found terracotta figurines, there was no progress at that point of time.

Then, when Amarnath Ramakrishna undertook a study of the Vaigai Basin in 2014, he took Mr. Vedachalam as a domain expert, who suggested that the Thidal was the place to excavate. The excavation began in January 2015, hundreds of artefacts belonging to the Tamil Sangam period were found. From among the excavations of the Keezhadi archaeological site, situated 13 km from Madurai, ivory chess pieces, ivory dice and terracotta hopscotch stones were found, T.S. Subramanian, former Associate Editor, Frontline, said on Thursday.

Speaking on “Keezhadi: Sangam Age Site Excavations” at an event organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Chennai Chapter, at Ashvita, he said the excavations had shown brick structures, ring wells, drainage systems and furnaces belonging to the Sangam age. The people of those times thrived producing textiles, making jewellery using terracotta and semi-precious stones, made terracotta pottery, drilled ivory, made iron implements and used bricks made in kilns for many centuries. Sujatha Shankar of INTACH and Nirmala Lakshman, Publisher, The Hindu, were present. Prizes were distributed to schoolchildren who won in drawing and essay competitions.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/keezhadi-excavations-show-people-thrived-producing-textiles-and-making-jewellery/article66894209.ece, April 7, 2023

The KJP Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Mawkhar went up in flames thereby obliterating every bit of its 131 years old rich legacy. In 2001 the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building was similarly gutted because of a short circuit. The reasons for the KJP School fire are not yet known but considering that it’s largely a wooden structure even a small spark can start a fire. The timing at which the conflagration happened was also when the world was asleep and those in charge of fire tenders too would have taken time to respond. But having responded they were obstructed by the narrow passage into the school building premises and this has been the story with fire tenders. In November 2019 a 117 year old church at Qualapatty areas was also reduced to ashes evidently because of a short circuit, which is nearly always the culprit. One by one Shillong’s legacy is going up in flames.

We can never know what’s the next building that will turn into an inferno. However, there are some things that can be done but are not done in a systematic manner. Some years ago the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) with its headquarters in Delhi had, under the Presidentship of (L) AH Scott Lyngdoh in collaboration with the State Government identified certain heritage buildings in Shillong to be maintained and restored so that they are adequately protected from fires through sustained maintenance. This effort somehow fell by the wayside.

Today INTACH has become a Shillong-based elite club that has lost focus. Heritage buildings don’t seem to feature on its agenda and yet heritage buildings of which the Raj Bhavan is a significant one are the characteristic features of Shillong. There are heritage buildings in Sohra and other places in the State which are lying in a state of disrepair. The question is – what is INTACH doing if not what is their mandate? It is time for the State Government to come up with an action plan to conserve these heritage buildings or what’s left of them. Equally important is for the State Fire Service to reinvent itself to meet the needs of this heavily congested city. Knowing fully well that the fire tenders cannot access large parts of the localities, the Government ought to have got smaller vehicles that can maneuver their way into these narrow lanes and by-lanes to save lives and properties and above all history. That all the documents and books of the School have also turned to ashes is a painful thought for those that set up the institution and gave their sweat and tears in building up its physical infrastructure and intellectual wealth. Time for the Government to review the State Fire Service and come up with a better response system.

https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/05/23/heritage-turns-to-ashes/, April 12, 2023

About 37 students participated in a painting session organized by INTACH on World Book Day. The session was held at Govt. Middle School, Dignabad. The children were shown a compendium of geoheritage sites of the islands by Samhita Veda Acharya, Convenor, INTACH A & N Chapter. The children also had an interactive session with Ebi Mathew and Sibi Mathew, Volunteers of INTACH. The children were fascinated with marine life depicted in the books that were donated by INTACH. The Andaman and Nicobar Chapter of INTACH have expressed gratitude to Mr. Rizwan, Music Teacher and Baby Nazarana, Principal Govt. Middle School, Dignabad for their support in conducting the camp.

http://www.andamansheekha.com/114581/, April 15, 2023

The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, organised a two-day workshop and exhibition of Madhubani art by Shravan Kumar Paswan on April 25 and 26, 2023, at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, G. G. Road, Ballalbagh, Mangalore. Shravan Kumar Paswan is an accomplished exponent of Madhubani art. He was assisted by his relative, Santosh Kumar Paswan, and his daughter, Ujala Paswan. The exhibition will continue to be open for public viewing till April 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The inauguration took place on Tuesday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m. in the presence of Bharathi Shevgoor, a writer and human resource trainer. Addressing the gathering Bharathi Shevgoor spoke about her point of view as a writer and how she came to appreciate different art forms. She praised the efforts of the artists, who had come from Bihar, to showcase and further extend their knowledge of this traditional art to the younger generations, making a mark on this southwestern part of Karnataka. Shravan Kumar spoke about how he began his journey in painting. “Having learned this art from my mother, I came to appreciate Madhubani from a very young age. Most of my family members are professionals practising this art. We prepare our natural colours and then use them in the paintings,” he said. “We teach this art form to our family first, primarily to save the art form. We are happy to teach any interested students the essence of this art.” Urmila Shetty, a retired professor and head of the Department of English at St. Agnes College, observed that art has become the stepdaughter of commercialism. Shishir Jagathap, Sindhushree P. V., Athmi Rai, Raksha, Akshitha, Nayana R. Acharya, Vivek A. R., Sharvani Bhat, Srividya R., Advaith R. and Kripa G. Shet participated in the workshop. Artist Janardhan Havanje introduced Shravan Paswan and the basics of Madhubani and Ghodana art forms. Subhas Chandra Basu, the convener of the INTACH Mangaluru Chapter, introduced the workshop. Reshma S. Shetty and Santhosh Andrade assisted in organising the workshop. Another workshop will be held in Udupi from April 27 to 30, 2023, under the auspices of the Bhavana Foundation.

https://www.mangalorean.com/intach-art-kanara-trust-organises-a-2-day-workshop-exhibition-on-madhubani-art/, April 20, 2023

Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor and Dr. Sanjeev Chopra IAS retired and author released HECS’ children’s books on Nagaland “The Hornbill Warrior” in Lotha and Ao dialects at Kamladevi Auditorium, India International Centre, New Delhi on May 16.

According to a press release issued by state convener, INTACH Nagaland Chapter, Sentila T Yanger, informed that the book was a story-cum-colouring book that brings out heritage and culture of Nagaland as discovered through the eyes of a young girl from Nagaland. It also stated that INTACH’s Heritage Education and Communication (HECS) Division with support of INTACH Nagaland Chapter was undertaking the translation of this book into five Naga languages to increase its reach as well as to promote the preservation of endangered languages.

https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/tharoor-chopra-release-the-hornbill-warrior-book/, April 20, 2023

Once the symbol of Britain’s imperial grandeur, the Coronation Park in Delhi is now an abandoned site for the locals to take strolls, go cycling and scribble the old walls with their names. The 52-acre land was built as a memorial to remember the legacy of the mighty British Empire, but today the site stands as a lost relic of the Raj. The park is located 17 km away from the hustle and bustle of Connaught Place and 19 km from India Gate, in New Delhi’s Burari area. The landscaped site that is maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is dotted with monuments, paved pathways, plants and trees. A large tricolour flag stands tall at the entrance of this British-era memorial which welcomes visitors with free entry. The Coronation Park was named so, as it witnessed three coronations of British monarchs. First in 1877, when Queen Victoria was proclaimed the Empress of India, then, in 1903, when the accession of King Edward VII was celebrated. The last coronation at the site was of King George V as Emperor of India in 1911. The last celebration was attended by all princely states.

Relic of lost history
Delhi was chosen as the site of the park because the city boasted a great historical legacy for such royal activities. It held many durbars, an Indian imperial-style mass assembly, which was a perpetuation of a tradition by the ousted Hind and Mughal rulers. The first Durbar was initiated by Lord Lytton, the then Viceroy of India. It was held in 1877 to mark the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India and to instil “order and discipline” in Delhi. The Durbar was an extravaganza of pomp and ceremony including an elephant parade in the presence of 70,000 people. Apart from coronations and durbars, the Queen-Empress, Mary of Teck, used to bestow the Kaisar-i-Hind medal upon all the Governors of the provinces at the site. The Queen also laid the foundation stone for the Viceroy’s residence, which was later changed to being a flood-prone area.

Graveyard of statues and missing plaques
The park has the largest and tallest statue of King George V, which was moved here in the mid-1960s from a site opposite India Gate in the centre of New Delhi. The statue stands opposite the obelisk called the Coronation Memorial, which commemorates the 1911 Durbar when George V laid the foundation stone for the new capital city of New Delhi. The obelisk is made of sandstone and stands erect over a high-rise square plinth with steps on all four sides. Giving this structure company, there are statues of four Viceroys in stone- Lord Hardinge, Lord Willingdon, Lord Irwin, and Lord Chelmsford. Some of these statues have missing plaques or washed-away letters on them. Visitors have used the plinths to scribble their names all over. The desolate park stands in stark contrast to the heavy traffic of northern Delhi's urban sprawl as people are generally unaware of its place in the history of the country.

Conservation measures
In 2005, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Government of Deli resolved to restore Coronation Park, which was in a state of neglect. DDA prepared a Draft Zonal Development Plan for the area to develop it as a tourist spot since it is very close to the National Highway 1 (NH1) bypass. In 2017, however, after missing several project deadlines, the park largely remained in a state of neglect.

https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronation-park-in-delhi-a-site-of-lost-british-colonial-relics-588903, April 25, 2023

The beautification and renovation of Co has finally begun with whitewashing of walls, a senior NDMC would be completed by July before the G20 summit. NDMC Vice Chairman Satish Upadhayay said with India presiding over the G20 bloc for a year, the beautification project will enable the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to showcase the unique heritage of the city. The beautification of the historical market was stalled for months due to fund crunch. The Bank of India, however, agreed to provide financial support under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme for the project. The beautification includes painting the outer and inner circle and the radials. "The renovation work has started.

Whitewashing has begun and the entire work shall be completed by July," Upadhayay said. "The conservation and restoration, including repair work and exterior painting work, of all buildings in the outer and inner circles and radial roads of Connaught Place has begun, he noted. The historic market was last renovated before the Commonwealth Games in 2010. It now requires whitewash as the paint is rived from several places.

The pillars in the area are also stained with beetle-juice and gutkha. Moreover the façade lighting that was installed in 2010requires immediate attention. Elaborating further on the beautification project, the NDMC Vice Chairman said, “The total budget for this project is Rs. 3.19 crore, which has been approved by the bank under its CSR programme and the same will be released on a written request after achieving the terms of milestones as set out in the agreement between INTACH and NDMC."

The NDMC signed a pact with the State Bank of India and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH ) on 31st March to restore buildings in Connaught Place. The Union Ministry of Urban Development and the Heritage Conservation committee have also given their no-objection to carry out the work. The civic body had earlier asked traders to fund the renovation, but they refused, saying the NDMC should use the money collected as tax. India assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1. Over 200 meeting at 55 locations across the country will be held during this period. It will culminate with a summit in the capital in September. PTI VA SRY SRY

https://www.newsdrum.in/national/g20-summit-beautification-of-connaught-place-begins-with-whitewashing-of-walls, April 30, 2023