WKC master plan to safeguard heritage

It will list out elements of intangible cultural heritage of Konkani community

Modernisation, development, pride quotient, prejudices pose a constant threat to the rich heritages of Indian communities. With an aim to safeguard the rich Konkani living heritage from extinction, World Konkani Centre (WKC) has sketched out a master-plan under its programme 'Kontach' - under Vision TVM.

Under this programme, WKC will list out the elements of the Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of the Konkani community.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, WKC's World Institute of Konkani Language Assistant Director Gurudath Bantwalkar explained that Intangible cultural heritage is transmitted from generation to generation and is constantly recreated by communities.

Folklore, dresses, cultural practices, celebration of festivals, knowledge, skills, expressions could be examples of such heritage.

Konkani communities have rich heritage, with people practicing it even today. However, one can observe a slow deterioration of these practices. WKC aims to note down these cultural practices, document them and also encourage the community people to keep it alive and pass it on to the next-gen, he said.

Pilot-project

WKC has taken up on a pilot project and is studying the 'Shigmo festival' of the Kudubi community. "This festival is a perfect example of an intangible cultural heritage. The celebration styles of this festival is passed down to the community from generations.

Unique dance forms, songs and practices can be observed in the Shigmo festival," says Bantwalkar. Under the pilot project, the community people, especially the ICH practitioners have been sensitized with discussions and workshops. A socio-economic survey of the community is also undertaken. The project has seen fullest participation of ICH practitioners who have resolved to pass down their rich heritage to the next generation.

Proposal to UNESCO

UNESCO under the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003), is safeguarding Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) around the world. WKC plans to submit the pilot proposal of the Kudubi community in March 2014. If UNESCO accepts the proposal, it shall direct the state and national government to undertake programmes and projects to safeguard the ICH element of the Kudubi community. Shigmo festival will also be listed in the World ICH list, he said.