Karnataka   

Prakash asks experts to develop Hampi with focus on its glorious past

TORANAGAL (BELLARY DISTRICT): Former Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash on Saturday appealed to research scholars, historians and archaeologists to give suggestions for the development of the world heritage site of Hampi by preserving its glorious past.

Participating in the inaugural function of a two-day conference on “Taking Vijayanagar’s past into the future” organised by the JSW Hampi Foundation here, Mr. Prakash said that Hampi, the erstwhile seat of Vijayanagar Empire, was a living heritage and an international tourist destination, and a religious and a cultural centre. “Based on the studies by historians and archaeologists, we all know Hampi had a glorious past. I request the archaeologists, historians and scholars to have a discussion during the conference on the methods to be adopted for conservation of the world heritage site,” he said.

Mr. Prakash expressed opposition to the relocation of people living in Hampi and its surrounding areas and said they had been living there for years, even before the establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire.

“Besides being a heritage site, Hampi is also a cultural and religious centre. A large number of people visit the place. We can take steps to maintain the originality of the monuments by removing the additions made to the mantaps instead of sending the people out of that place. I appeal to the scholars here to advise UNESCO officials on this matter too,” he said.

Mr. Prakash said the State Government emphasised on retaining the world heritage status of Hampi by taking steps to preserve the heritage value of the site and efforts were on in this regard. He commended Sangeeta Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Hampi Foundation, for not only coming out with programmes for restoration of some of the ancient temples, but also organising conferences on Hampi.

Ms. Jindal said that archaeological sites were being neglected for want of involvement and funds and apathy.

Expressing concern over bureaucratic delay in clearing proposals by private agencies which were keen on restoring ancient monuments, Ms. Jindal said that it had also come in the way of the foundation getting funds from the Global Heritage Fund.

She said the foundation had commenced restoration work on the Chandramouleshwara Temple at Anegundi and proposed to take up restoration work on the Krishna and Soumya Someshwara temples. “We have a plan to spend Rs. 20 crore, which included 50 per cent matching grant from the Global Heritage Fund for the restoration of these three temples. But two proposals and memoranda of understanding are awaiting Government’s approval,” she said.

Michel Tomlin, preservation expert from New York, spoke.

George Mitchell, John Fritz, Anila Verghese and Anna Dallapiccola, archaeologists and historians, presented papers on various aspects of Hampi and Vijayanagar.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

M.P. Prakash group set to join Congress
Road repair work in Chitradurga under way
Raids in Chitradurga
‘NSS helps students develop their personality’
‘Sustained measures needed to popularise and preserve heritage sites’
‘School shapes a child’s destiny’
Deteriorating
Showing the way
Strict guidelines to monitor carnival in Panaji
Prakash asks experts to develop Hampi with focus on its glorious past
Scholarships
No power supply
Camp
Founder’s Day celebrated
Training programme

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu