Hyderabad: 'Deccan discourse must be about people, culture'

HYDERABAD: The Deccan discourse should not just focus on kings and queens, but should be about its people, language and culture. This was the leitmotif of the Dr VK Bawa Memorial Lecture on Saturday at Qutub Shahi necropolis, just a week ahead of World Heritage Day.
While CEO of Aga Khan Trust for Culture Ratish Nanda drew attention to the restoration of Qutub Shahi Tombs, which wallowed in apathy for decades, dignitaries fondly recalled contributions to heritage by Dr VK Bawa, who was the founding vice-chairperson of Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The lecture was organised by the state government's department of heritage and architecture and design foundation in memory of Bawa, who ensured inclusion of several state monuments in the protected list. He passed away on January 9.

Nanda, who delivered the keynote lecture, said apart from conserving monuments in the Qutub Shahi necropolis, the Aga Khan Trust were also able to conserve ecology, create employment and promote tourism.
Historian and heritage activist Sajjad Shahid said Bawa understood the discourse on the Deccan region. "He directed his attention to the common people," he said.
Bawa's spouse, Avadesh Rani Bawa, who is also a scholar, said the city, its monuments and language have to be kept safe even in the face of rapid modernisation.
Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, industries and commerce and information technology, who was also present, said Bawa was pragmatic and allowed an interface between monuments, life and livelihood. "Bawa mentioned concept of adaptive reuse and cited Taramati Baradari. He said not only this monument was intact, but its public space raised footfall, ensuring stakeholders take responsibility for its care," he added.