The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and its Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Division, in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), hosted a symposium titled ‘Learning and Dissemination of Knowledge in Arts: A Critical Focus on Guru Shishya Parampara Through the Ages’ on 25–26 October 2024 at KNMA Saket, New Delhi.

The event, stemming from INTACH’s research on Guru Shishya Parampara in Folk Arts, gathered a diverse array of practitioners, scholars, and experts from various art forms to delve into the intricate dynamics of the Guru Shishya Parampara. The partnership with KNMA expanded the scope of discussion to encompass a broader spectrum of the arts, including Classical and Folk Performing Arts as well as Modern Visual Arts. 

The BAITHAK on 25^th October 2024, moderated by Nerupama Y. Modwel, Principal Director, ICH Division, INTACH, and facilitated by Gunjan Joshi, independent researcher and UNESCO ICH Facilitator, consisted of a structured open discussion of renowned Gurus in the field of performing arts as well as cultural institution representatives sharing a meaningful and interactive dialogue on the topic: 

• Padma Shri Dr. Shovana Narayan, Kathak Guru
• Padma Shri Shashadhar Acharya, Chhau Guru
• Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal, Odissi Guru 
• Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan, Bharatanatyam Guru
• Gurukkal Shinto Mathew, Kalaripayattu Guru
• Pandit Arnab Chakrabarty, Sarod Guru
• Dr. Jyolsana Menon, HOD Dance dept., Kalakshetra Foundation 
• Prof. (Dr.) B. Ananthakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Kalamandalam
• Shri Dhruv Sangari, Artiste and Co-Founder, Naadvistar Foundation
• Shri Rahul Kumar- Deputy Director (Training), Centre for Cultural Resources & Training
• Shri Radha Mohan Tiwari, National Chairman, SPIC MACAY

The baithak featured three sessions:

1. Perspectives
   Panelists provided brief insights into the guru-shishya parampara, their experiences, and organizational efforts, such as schemes and events, supporting this tradition.
2. Transitions, Transformations and Challenges in Tradition
   An open dialogue on the transitions, transformations, and challenges faced by gurus, shishyas, and organizations in preserving the tradition.
3. Way Forward 
   Panelists brainstormed solutions to ensure the tradition’s continuity while maintaining its essence for future generations.

Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/Xz5VAj4mW28?si=AgcLScH5H8HlaKJR

This year (2024), the ICH Division embarked on a significant project, producing a one-hour documentary film titled ‘Ganga: A Love Beyond Reason’, which delves into the rich cultural heritage of key, yet lesser-known intangible cultural heritage aspects of districts spanning Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
 
The film captures and documents these unique domains of ICH, showcasing the special cultural treasures and traditions along the Ganga River. These include indigenous knowledge systems, folklore, performing arts, oral history, fairs, festivals, crafts, and more. The documentary features:
 
●      Archaeological Sites and Historicity: Exploration of ancient sites and their historical context; Historians/Archaeologists perspectives
●      Stakeholders/Cultural practitioners’ perspectives
●      Pothi System: Traditional genealogy registers of Haridwar and Garhmukteshwar
●      Block Printing: Techniques of the Sadh community
●      Tabla Gharana of Farrukhabad: A distinguished school of tabla music
●      Kajri of Mirzapur: Traditional folk music
●      Carpet and Brassware industry of Mirzapur
●      Varanasi Aarti: The lesser-known aspects of the iconic worship ritual at the Ghats of Varanasi
●      Zari and Zardozi of Chandauli: Detailed embroidery styles
●      Manjusha Art: A traditional art form
●      Bhagalpuri weaving and sarees
●      Foodways: Culinary traditions along the Ganga River, in places like Kannauj, Varanasi, and Farukkhabad, among others,  as well as the sweets of Kolkata
●      Boatmaking: Traditional boat craftsmanship
 
‘Ganga: A Love Beyond Reason’ not only highlights these cultural practices but also emphasizes their significance and the urgent need for their documentation and preservation.  On the occasion of Ganga Dusshera, the film was screened in the multipurpose hall of INTACH, Delhi, and received much appreciation from the viewers present. The film has been uploaded on the following INTACH YouTube channel for a broader reach.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/LL9G4qBPqyU?si=jQVZffiDpDkXQ0Ry

Documenting The Ethno-Cultural Practices Of Four Tribes Of Andhra Pradesh