Heritage tourism conclave held in Vadodara, experts discuss strategies to boost cultural heritage
Gujarat has a large number of heritage properties but many of them have not been leveraged for tourism, said Rajendra Kumar, Secretary (Gujarat Tourism).
Kumar urged the participants to join the Gujarat government in 'creating experiences' for tourists. 'At the time of Independence, Gujarat had the largest number of princely states…so, the state has a large number of forts, palaces and heritage properties. However, not all of them are being leveraged for tourism, for preservation and conservation. We are creating experiences around these heritage properties…' Kumar said.
The Gujarat government is collaborating with the cottage industry to provide a platform to artisans, he said. 'The heritage property owners should identify such artisans… the Gujarat government has a robust policy. We are also discussing with heritage property owners to make it (the places) contemporary and accessible to people,' Kumar added.
Addressing the gathering, Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of the Baroda royal family said that the Gaekwad family 'patronised art' with Maharaja Sayajirao III also 'navigating' through a rivalry with the British 'to preserve our culture'.
Gaekwad said, 'As a family, we have been in Vadodara (for quite long) and my ancestors have patronised art… It was Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III who invited Raja Ravi Varma to come here and paint… Raja Ravi Varma stayed here for 11 years. When these paintings were commissioned, there was never a motive or eye on how valuable they would be 100 years later. But patronage was extended to art'.
'Maharaja Sayajirao University has a huge presence in the city… This university also has departments of art, music, drama…We have the department of Oriental Sciences, which has a fabulous collection of manuscripts… There was a clear intent and wish that culture and heritage should grow; to be able to learn all of it, because those were the times when the British were around and they wanted all their stuff to be taught (in education). There was a pressure and rivalry in a sense that happened but Sayajirao was able to navigate all of it very well…' Gaekwad added.
The conclave, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held at the Lukshmi Vilas Palace banquet in Vadodara.
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