Heritage Restoration: Our Promise to the Future
VIEW EVENT DETAILSIndia’s rich cultural heritage is expressed through its incredible array of art and architecture, each reflecting the influences of the myriad communities that shaped it. Humayun’s Tomb is a masterpiece of the Mughal era, while the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is a city institution that captures an important moment in Mumbai's mercantile narrative. The recent revival of these landmarks - representing differing periods - are internationally recognized success stories in the field of restoration architecture. How might we think about preserving the chronicles of Indian history and heritage through its monuments and art so that diverse strands are represented holistically? How have these efforts worked in other composite cultures internationally? Join us for a conversation with four eminent speakers as they examine the nuances of fostering comprehensive conservation through active private participation, patronage, and community work.
Tasneem Mehta is the Managing Trustee and Honorary Director of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai and Vice Chairman of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). She is an art historian, writer, curator, designer and cultural activist. Mehta has successfully pioneered the revival and restoration of several of Mumbai’s important cultural sites, including the BDL Museum, and has been one of the leaders of the heritage preservation movement in India.
Ratish Nanda is the Project Director of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. He led the restoration of Humayun's Tomb in Nizamuddin, Delhi; the Baghe Babur, a 16th century enclosed garden in Kabul, Afghanistan; and several projects for INTACH. He received the Sanskriti Award for Social and Cultural Achievement, Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship and the Charles Wallace Conservation Fellowship.
William Robinson is the Head of Islamic Art for Christie's. He is a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, and has overseen the discovery and sale of millions of pounds of formerly lost Islamic art. An internationally recognized expert on carpets and Turkish pottery, he has written numerous articles for Apollo and Hali.
Girish Shahane is the Artistic Director of the India Art Fair. Shahane was Director of the Skoda Prize for Indian Contemporary Art 2011-2013 and Artistic Director of Art Chennai 2014. He is on the faculty of art history courses run by the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum and Jnanapravaha. He writes a weekly column for Scroll.in and was previously editor of Art India magazine.