On the occasion of International Day for Monuments and Sites 2020, themed ‘Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility,’ the NSC Shared Built Heritage conducted a webinar by inviting conservation architects Benny Kuriakose and Neeta Dasto deliver short lectures. These talks marked the launch of a proposed year-long series titled “Exploring Notions of Shared Heritage in India” where NSC members and invited practitioners will deliver short, topical lectures to expound, interpret and tackle the meanings, challenges and opportunities embedded within shared heritage in India for a wider audience.
Benny Kuriakose spoke about the synagogues of Kerala with special focus on the conservation of the Paravur Synagogue in Kochi. Built in the early 17th century and patronised by the Malabari Jews, the edifice among other Jewish synagogues today faces challenges of a dwindled congregation while seeking relevance and authenticity to the history, traditions and practices of the community in contemporary Kochi.
Neeta Das currently heads the conservation of Kolkata Scottish Cemetery that aims at holistic and inclusive urban regeneration of the site and its precinct by engaging the urban poor from the site’s immediate surrounds. She spoke about reinterpreting the cemetery’s significance and its colonial provenance while devising sustainable methods and tools of engagement for the city and its residents today.
The zoom webinar was moderated by Kamalika Bose, Coordinator of NSC-SBH and was attended by 37 participants that included several NSC-SBH members, office-bearers of ICOMOS India and ICOMOS International, as well as the President of ISC-SBH all of whom shared their thoughts and comments in the ensuing Q&A session. The 1.5hour long program was on Facebook has received a viewership of 2300+ views thus far.
The video link of the webinar - https://www.facebook.com/1661416100537760/videos/220553135900637/
The recorded session is now available to watch on our YouTube channel via:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHTY5cATYvk&list=PLppgBFc3QTOhXLuu36bbiQqHpMDLoUaqP&index=3
