Nagpur: Art collectors fretting over the deteriorating state of their collectibles now have a saviour. Government department wishing to preserve landmark and precious documents too have found a friend. Freelance conservator
Leena Zilpe has set up the first-of-a-kind start-up to help departments and individual collectors in maintaining the antiquity of their possessions.
Launched by the Heritage Conservation Society, of which Zilpe is a secretary, Heritage Conservation Services is the first such initiative in Central India. “Currently, the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Heritage (NRLC) is the only entity which functions under ministry of culture and undertakes the task of preserving objects and other collectibles. It is over-burdened with helping other museums. And other departments or collectors find no chance,” she said.
She says that India is known since ages “for its rich and diversified tangible and intangible heritage”. “Our cultural property such as museums, archives, libraries, galleries and monuments are under constant threat of climate change, natural disasters, urban developments and human vandalism. Conserving is not replacing the old with the new. Rather, conservation seeks to maintain and increase the value of objects by keeping their original built form and architectural elements, favouring their restoration. When restoration is impossible, conservation aims at recreating scale, period and character,” said Zilpe.
Zilpe has, in the past, restored the collections of Magan Sangrahalaya in Wardha and a number of natural history specimens belonging to defence organizations. Since 2012, she has been working in NRLC Field Projects in Nagpur. Currently, she is working to conserve the objects associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
“For governmental work, I will work on a no-profit-no-loss basis,” said Zilpe who added that she was seeking assistance from the government in setting up a laboratory. Here, digitization of books, manuscripts and other related materials, survey of collections and impact of environment, measuring museum environment, undertaking conservation of historic buildings, forts, temples and temple art will be pursued.
“This will not only increase the property value but also draw tourists. Restoration reduces construction and demolition waste. It is also an investment in our own community,” said Zilpe.
Before undertaking a project, the need will first be identified, and the issue will be further assessed for good understanding and diagnosis. “The best option will be worked on, after which a detailed plan will be formulated. After this, implementation and operation will form the final stages,” she said.
(Zilpe can be contacted at leenazeel@gmail.com)
Leena Zilpe