Conservation

Designed by the Trusts and implemented in partnership with five zonal partners across India, the 4-year programme helped lay a framework for art conservation infrastructure and training in the country. Implemented from 2019-2023, the initiative led to the establishment of three new conservation centres and the enhancement of two existing ones; designed and conducted nine 3-month-long training courses in conservation of specific materials like paper, textiles, wall paintings, stone, wood etc. training 45 practising conservators; and helped in the assessment of more than 90 art collections across the country.

This initiative has laid the foundation for the Trusts’ strategy to support art conservation across new geographies including Ladakh (in partnership with Shesrig Foundation), Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (in partnership with Himalayan Society for Heritage and Art Conservation) and Tamil Nadu (in partnership with Roja Muthiah Research Library.

To learn more about the conservation of Sikkim’s material heritage through capacity-building initiatives, Click here. for the workshop on Sikkim’s material heritage and Click here. for the training course on wood and metal conservation.

To know more about the training course in conservation and restoration held in Uttarakhand, Click here.

Built Heritage Conservation efforts have been supported for public sites of Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (2008-12) and Quli Qutb Shah Heritage Park, Hyderabad (2012-2020), in partnership with Aga Khan Trust for Culture, demonstrating the impact of model public-private partnerships.

These projects, implemented over a period of time, are testimony to how heritage conservation can boost tourism, traditional crafts livelihoods, community ownership and environmental sustainability. The Trusts have further supported the showcasing of these conservation practices through the Conservation Gallery at the Humanyun’s Tomb Museum. They have also supported the research and development of the Specifications Manual for Built Heritage Conservation, addressing the gap in cohesive process and rates for conservation works in the country. The manual is available through open access.

To explore and access the Specifications Manual for Built Heritage Conservation and related resources, Click here.

To know more about the conservation efforts at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, Hyderabad, Click here.

Despite being the largest producer of cinema in the world, more than 70% of India’s cinematic heritage has been lost forever. With only one not-for-profit organisation in the country advancing film preservation efforts, the Trusts are supporting Film Heritage Foundation to establish training opportunities and strengthen infrastructure for film preservation. The partnership also encourages decentralised preservation efforts to acknowledge the rich regional diversity of Indian Cinema.

As a nascent field, film preservation depends on developing and leveraging a global network of experts across film (print and digital) and archival sciences. To date, the Trusts have supported the establishment of a film preservation laboratory of international standards in Bombay. In addition, they have also supported 100+ scholarships for participants from across India (particularly the North East Region) providing training in basics of film preservation and allied topics. The Trusts look forward to sustained engagement to help establish regional archives in the future.

To read how the Trusts' partnership with the Film Heritage Foundation is advancing film preservation in India, Click here.