The Ladakh ICH project by National Museum Institute

The Ladakh ICH project, which is on since September 2012, turned a new leaf recently when NMI organised an in-service workshop last month. The six-day event, which concluded on October 28, discussed the relevance and significance of community participation in collaborative efforts, in the field of heritage conservation.

Besides Prof Seth and Mr Spalbar, the event was addressed by Central Institute of Buddhist Studies Director Wangchuk DorjeeNegi, Gompa Association president Geshe Konchok Namgyal, besides NMI Registrar Prof M. V. Nair.

There were also presentations made by Abeer Gupta, who leads the research team on Ladakh ICH, besides fellow members Stanzin Naljor, Lobzang Stantiz and Tashi Dorjay. They covered the basic socio-cultural survey of Gya, and came up with an in-depth report on the documentation of Gya's Losar celebrations, stone-carving, Amchi medicine and weaving practices.

Prof Seth noted that people in Ladakh want a museum in Leh which collects, documents and represents all aspects of a their heritage, life and culture in tangible and intangible manifestations.

"It seeks to become a platform not merely for preserving physical collections but for connecting the younger generation with their own identity, for stimulating dialogue on the present issues concerning culture, and for providing a mechanism for understanding and channelising the future course of cultural change," she added.

The project must lead to two types of museums in Ladakh. One is a bigger and central one, based in Leh, which will be representative of entire Ladakh, its heritage and culture. The other will be smaller museum in the villages of Ladakh, set up by villagers for themselves and for tourists their heritage and the way of life.

Source: MD Niche.