Heritage our window to future: Experts at DHW second anniversary

Dhenkanal: History and the heritage are never dead. Rather they are just showing us the future avenues to grow, prosper and progress in a positive way.

Experts speaking at the second anniversary celebration of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) also observed that by remembering our past and “ashmita” we always tend to get a peg of extra energy.

Well-known expert on temple architecture and especially on the Kalingan style of architecture, Professor Sanjay Acharya in a lucid and engaging presentation spoke about the genesis of the temple architecture in Odisha and how it has evolved through the patronage of the various dynasties and clans, who ruled the region.

However, in an interesting observation he also added that the “evolution process and the refinement of the Kalingan style was carried forward by the various dynasties from where their predecessors left. This, in a way has given rise to a very rich and mature manifestation of the temple art and architecture and it, thus forms a major form, which through the maritime link also got replicated in the faraway lands of South-East Asia.”

Prof Acharya, a worthy grandchild of eminent archaeologist from Odisha, Paramananda Acharya, a Padma Shri winner, way back in the Sixties, while giving his deliberation, rightly observed referring to historians that “the architects of Kalingan temples built the magnificent structures like titans, but finished them like jewellers” referring to the intricate carvings at the temple walls, gates, windows and the other ancillary portions.

He also added that how a single temple structure with linear structure evolving from the “Nagara” style got evolved as “Rekha”, “Pidha” and “Khakhara” types, making a distinct signature of the temples of the Kalingan region.

Prof Acharya, known for his authority on the temple architecture made the audience glued to their seats inside the Old Zilla Parishad Auditorium at Kunjakanta in Dhenkanal tried to inculcate the love and interest of the students of history of the various colleges in Dhenkanal, who were present in large numbers.

The second anniversary celebration of DHW was presided by convener of Cuttack Heritage Walks Dipak Samantarai and the scion of Gadamadhupur Palace Aparna Dhir Narendra Singh Bharadwaj and convener of Puri Heritage Walks Sanjay Baral were present on a dais.

In her speech Maharani of Gadamadhupur Palace Aparna Dhir Narendra Singh Bharadwaj rued the lack of awareness and love for heritage, history and culture and how in the name of development the society is “murdering history”. Citing some examples she also narrated that the “redevelopment” and upkeep of some heritage sites are getting distorted with the mindless use of modern means without any scanty regards to the valuable structure, its importance and the period to which it belongs to.

Convener of Cuttack Heritage Walks Dipak Samantarai, a writer and poet and former administrator of All India Radio Cuttack observed that the love for history, culture and heritage will always make our future generation in taking pride and thus we should take up heritage awareness on a top priority at all levels from the school to university education.

Convener of Puri Heritage Walks Sanjay Baral, who has done research on the Sun Temple at Konark and written a book on his findings on the World Heritage monument, said “the unknown and little-known facts on the Sun Temple should be discussed more in various forums so that people will come to know that Odisha had once created such a great monument in the past.”

Baral also quoted a sentence of renowned art historian Dr Charles Loues Fabri “had Konark been discovered first and the Taj Mahal at Agra later by the Europeans then there is no doubt that Taj would have taken a second place in the mind of the world.”

While the event was coordinated by convener of DHW Suresh Mishra, on the occasion of the second anniversary many associates, well-wishers and patrons were felicitated by DHW with a token of appreciation.

They include: Sadasiv Mohapatra, Ratan Nayar, Sishir Satapathy, Jeetendra Kumar Pattanaik, Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Bibhuti Bhusan Barik and Dr Suresh Mishra. Biswaranjan Dehury of Odisha Heritage Walks and convener of Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks Srikant Singh along with 50 students of History from Dhenkanal Autonomous College, were also present.