Panel set up to revive state’s cultural heritage

Thiruvananthapuram: The recent floods, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes, have left a devastating impact on the state’s rich cultural heritage as well.
The makers of Aranmula Kannadi (mirror), for instance, have lost their source of livelihood, having lost their homes and workshops after the Pamba River spilled over its banks.

The Aranmula Heritage Trust, which works towards protecting and preserving the state’s heritage, has constituted a committee to assess tangible and intangible losses and mitigate the impact of flood on the state’s cultural heritage.

The committee named ‘Revive Kerala Heritage Initiative’, comprising experts in different areas of heritage management, including M Velayudhan Nair, chairman of the Aranmula Heritage Trust and members MG Sasibhooshan, C I Isaac and K K Muhammed visited Aranmula and other parts of the state to take stock on the extent of damages.

They are being supported by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), a Unesco-sponsored organization and the International Council of Monuments and Sites.

“The government-level rescue works were limited to saving people. It is important to protect our cultural heritage as well. A preliminary survey of the losses due to the disaster has revealed that many of the treasures of Kerala such as murals, wood carvings and manuscripts in ancient temples and churches have been submerged and are likely to be ruined. So, it is very important to devise short-term and long-term measures to repair and revive them,” said Nair.

For instance, the floods have caused huge damages to ‘Aranmula Palliyodams’, he added.

“Palliyodam-making requires great craftmanship. There are only a few artisans who can build them. There is an immediate need to rehabilitate these artisans. Similarly, the makers of Aranmula Kannadi too need to be rehabilitated. It is our duty to learn lessons from such a disaster and be equipped to deal with them in future. The Aranmula Heritage Trust proposes to set up a heritage institute to develop expertise and for capacity building in area of heritage management and conservation,” he added.

To seek international support, Velayudhan Nair will present the proposal at the international conference of the International Institute of Conservation (IIC) to be held at Italy from September 8 to 14.