Intangible Heritage in Ahmedabad Old City

Design project 4 : Strategies for visual communication

Review 1

The pols of Ahmedabad Old City Project by

Guided by

Anchored by

Dharini Padh

Tanishka Kachru

Jagadish Kumar Shilpi Munda

This DP explores -

X Cultural Preservation X Intangible Heritage X Museology X Archiving X Tourism X Urbanization in context of

The Ahmedabad Old City ‘Pols’

Contents What's Next

Design Brief 2

Exploring Further

Ecomuseum

Theory research and Inquiries : Between memory and Museum

Ahmedabad Old City

Transformation and restoration

Ahmedabad and Me

Design brief 1

Existing initiatives

Mapping systems

Pol area

Case Study : Opening doors

Ahmedabad X Me Excerpt from an essay on Old city written as a 15 year old “As I leave the uncomfortable muddy streets crowded with people and enter into the modern road of the city, my happiness begins to vanish.

The vibrant, loud but beautiful and colourful old market dotted with history appeals to me although it has no comfort or 'modernity' to boast of.

We may visit many picturesque places across the world, but I think it is of utmost importance that we connect to the roots, culture and history of our place of belonging first. And that is when we realise, that in spite of its flaws it makes us more proud, joyful and connected than any other place in the world could.”

Research - more than 6 heritage walk experiences, sketching in the old city, visiting exhibitions in havelis, shopping and food.

tourist - resident - designer - researcher - archivist

The Walled City X History X Heritage X Legacy X The old city is characterized by •

Old Indo-Islamic Architectural monuments (Jama Masjid, Tombs, Step wells, temples, derasar, mosques, Bhadra fort, 12 gates and other ASI - Archaeological Society of India, protected monuments) Distributed across the city

•

Pols - this word is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Pratoli’, meaning entrance to enclosed gates. The old city of Ahmedabad is characterized by conglomeration of houses of communities inhabited by people or families that are connected by caste, religion, profession. Known for their architecture, carvings, urban planning and living heritage. A historical settlement limited to the old city

City Walls of Ahmedabad 1866

Narrowing down to Pols

Pols X Transformation Since the UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage City in 2017, the city has experienced a flood of opportunities and is also dealing with numerous challenges which include • • • • • •

dilapidation of structures changing aspirations modernization urbanization migration and many more which in turn results in

• • • • • •

old historic structures replaced by modern ones. high cost of maintainence original communities moving out lack of pride and awareness for existing heritage. slow exoticization and extinction of the living heritage mechanical understanding of historical importance.

How might we respond to the transformations that are deteriorating the heritage in the pols?

Pols X Restoration and tourism Protection and management requirements stipulated by UNESCO

Heritage Walk Akshar Travels (AMC)

Ahmadabad includes 28 monuments listed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and 2,696 important buildings protected by the Heritage Department at the (AMC).

Conducting a walk through the old city taking tourists through the pols explaining the cultural, historical, architectural significance along the way. A holistic way to explore the old city space.

Heritage Management Plan : • • •

Special focus on conservation of wooden historic houses.

A comprehensive and accurate documentation of the historic buildings A detailed assessment of the extent and impact of the new constructions and development projects on the western section of the city

Dhal Ni Pol no Varso Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) Attempt at revival of the living heritage by the ladies of Dhal ni Pol. To create awareness about the need for conservation of the pols, MHT has involved residents to undertake activities such as heritage walk for children, cleanliness drives and cultural programmes.

The current conservation mechanism focuses primarily on building conservation, leaving aside important socio-cultural and economic aspects linked to communities residing within the walled city.

How might we attempt to restore not just the tangible, but also intangible heritage in the pols?

Case study X A Pol Group Project Study Tour | 3 days | 4 members Members : Arushi, Ashish, Foram and Me. Opening Doors : Place, People, Craft, Culture Unraveling the relationship between craft, culture and living heritage by documenting the craft of Wooden Carved doors in the Ahmedabad old City Pols.

A collection of 4 zines on 4 themes, showcasing our journey of discovery : 1. Place : Old City heritage walk 2. People : Old city residents 3. Craft : Woodwork carving workers 4. Culture : Woodwork craft today

A map of our 1 day journey of discovery

Case study X A Pol Group Project Resident perspective If the mother, father and child living in a pol do not connect to the heritage they reside in, how far can the authorities go on to preserve that heritage ?

Tourist perspective If there remains only spectators of a heritage and not engaged participants, doesn't a place and its objects become a museum consisting of the past - exoticised through an outsiders perspective ? Observed as the 'other'?

The zine I created

Zine series by Arushi, Ashish, Me and Foram

How might we represent and experience culture and heritage ethically?

Where do we draw the line between the present and the past?

Between preserving and exoticizing?

The Objective

To preserve, document or exhibit the holisitc heritage (intangible and tangible) of the Old City Pol areas The Execution

A strategy toward archiving and sustaining heritage, educating and benefitting the communities living in the pols.

Research

site specific- pols,

people, stakeholders, organizations, etc

theory related - living

heritage, conservation,

Existing initiatives X AMC heritage site

Screenshots from the website

Tourist centric with major focus on historical monuments

Existing initiatives X Heritage Walk

A separation between the tourists and the residents.

Spectatorship vs Participation

Mapping the systems at play Stakeholders Organisations Economy Society Aspirations Identity Tourism models Preservation models

revenue

existing museums

Ahmedabad city

activities

tourism private

aspirations

residents

heritage organizations

restoration

Ahmedabad pols

government

policies community

economy

architecture urbanisation

occupation

Between Memory and Museum X A Reading Session In this interactive session, participants will engage with excerpts and paintings from the book which will allow them to deepen and redefine their idea of a museum.

Accompanied by writing and drawing activities based on collective introspection and personal memory, participants eventually learn to perceive their surroundings as ‘Museums Without Walls’ - spaces for thinking about cultural preservation, communication, and memory. The session will shed light on relooking at ways of documentation and representation of knowledge.

Session marketing @arthashila

How might we perceive our surroundings as 'museums without walls' ?

How does that help in understanding the ethics of representation ?

Between Memory and Museum X A Reading Session

Glimpses @arthashila

How might we aim to sustain communities and cultures as an integral part of heritage?

How might a space give us scope for remembrance over preservation?

Between Memory and Museum X Activity time!

The brief : Draw and write about an object/space or anything tangible that you connect with

Between Memory and Museum X Activity time!

How would we as a community and as an individual want to be represented ?

Do we take our possesions for granted ? How long before our possessions become treasured and exoticized with time?

Between Memory and Museum Manav Sangrahalay Museum A model for participatory practice in conservation and museumization and creating an exhibit of craft and culturre in collaboration with the artists.

Other examples : Conflictorium in Ahmedabad Museum of Art and Photography, Bangalore

What would be a strategy to address participatory heritage and tourism in context of a defined space? In context of living heritage.

Ecomuseum An ecomuseum recognizes the importance of culture in the developement of self-identity and its role in helping a community adjust to rapid changes while preserving their own culture/tradition.

The ecomuseum thus becomes a tool for the economic, social, cultural and political growth and development of the society within a given social setting.

Ecomuseums might also be interpreted as territorial heritage museums. They can be dispersed over a large area, translate into any medium and offer services to the public according to their needs and requirements.

What might be the application and examples of ecomuseums ?

Ecomuseum X Existing models Ecomusuem Municipal do Seixal Portugal, Lisbon Area : Multinucleus museum with seven principle sites Community : Locl people of Seixal Municipality Aim : To protect and conserve the cultural and natural heritage The museum work with participation and involvement from local poeple form every walk of life for e.g. factory workers explained the operational machinery in the museum, local sailors helped visitors to learn sailing and son. The museum has many features of a conventional local museum. i.e. documentation and collections.

What makes it an eco-musuem is the in-situ preservation policy, the fragmented nature and community participation.

How might we implement the model of an ecomuseum for an urban context with modern practices and historical significance like that of the pol area?

Direction 1

A model for an ecomuseum in the Ahmedabad Old city aimed at archiving the living heritage, uplifting the residents and involving the tourists.

Exploring further X The People Bhanu Ba

Jitendrabhai

Pankajbhai

Caretaker of a temple In Jagganaik ni Pol - taken care of by her neighbours, her son stays in the west of Ahmedabad doing a menial job

Owner of an orphanage in the Jaganaik ni Pol

Owner of Pinky pizza in the old city relief road. Has been clicking 1 picture a day of the old city since years.

How might we identify unique practices and social fabric of the old city?

Exploring further X The Homes Sheetalben's home Lifestyle facilities Sanitation religion Community Social life

How might we give context to the architectural structures through research?

Exploring further X Understanding Systems Thinking and Research

Playing perspectivity and cause and effect games.

How might we derive legitimate contextual solutions keeping larger systems in context?

Feedback : Review 1 Feasibility of execution.

How can the idea of an eco-museum be narrowed down considering the given time-frame.

Executing a specific part of the larger system to ensure a visual output toward the end apart from strategy.

Begin by asking the question - Why is heritage important in the first place? Gives a clearer picture of larger aim.

Mapping possible solutions and narrowing down on a feasible direction.

Exploring Further

Case Study X Choosing a Pol Field Visit 3 Narrowing down to Dhal ni Pol • Dhal ni Pol has been the

subject of numerous government and organizational initiatives for heritage upliftment.

• Multiple CSR’s dedicated

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Ahmedabad_map_1903_Murray.jpg

toward this space

• Consists of

precious carvings, embellishments and heritage houses.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ahmedabad_1855.jpg

Targeted field research in Dhal ni Pol

Research X Dhal ni Pol

Umaben interacting with her neighbours in Dhal ni Pol

Taraben combing her hair in Dhal ni Pol Works as a tailor doing embroidery in a nearby pol.

The younger generations moving out, women not wanting to marry into a family living in the pols, people restoring houses to showcase good matrimonial prospects.

Research X Dhal ni Pol

Pankuben - originally from Rajasthan Grandkids - Dakshit and Harshit

Ladoo bhai comes to Gujarat to this pol once in 2 months.

Nilaben Going to shift out of Oldcity soon with son and daughter-in-law against her wishes.

As the wealthy Gujaratis move out of the Old City, the Marwari and Bengali workers have replaced the original population. A majority of Gujaratis do not seem to be satisfied with this change and complain about differences.

Research X Dhal ni Pol

Chiteshbhai 78 year old citizen of Old city of Ahmedabad.

Mehulbhai and Heman Trivedi

Hasmukh bhai

Restoration of houses, lending of houses as a guesthouse, all of these are processes that are difficult to execute without help. A lot of residents are forced to live off the same house with dilapadating structures for decades. The heritage tag becomes an insecurity rather than pride.

Research X Heritage Haveli

Jagdip Mehta : Owner of Mehta ni Haveli

Jagdip Mehta’s grandson.

Jagdip Mehta’s house is the first guesthouse in Ahmedabad, renovated through loan from the French government since it was working toward revitalization of heritage in the Old city. He currently runs a heritage guest house here with guests staying from all over the world.

“The people here are connected to each other just like the houses in the pols, and our minds and hearts are open just like the doors of a pol home.”

Research X Mehta Heritage House

The Walls of the room are sound poof, coolness inducing, and there are thick bars that act as shock absorbers for earthquake related situations.

“ There is a lack of awareness of heritage in the old city right now. A lot of residents do not realize its value. For example, the rainwater harvesting system is a boon for us, but a lot of people get theirs removed “

“ My Grandson realising the value of this house, the value of community, this place and its customs; is the true heritage “

mapping X cause / effect

Inferences from mapping X cause / effect Simply aiding tourists and adding heritage tags does not lead to a long term solution for preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of the old city as observed in the current case of Ahmedabad.

There is gap in awareness of the importance of heritage amongst the residents of the old city. The realization of heritage is limited to the havelis and carvings in most cases, but the pol itself being the heritage needs to be instilled amongst the people of the pol.

The TDR policy and other policies available for the residents to help with restruccturing are not easily accessible. Some residents are not even aware of these policies.

Residents who are not highly educated find it challenging to even go through this whole process. In some cases, the heritage tags in homes instead of being somwthing to be proud of, is seen as doubtful by a lot of residents. Heritage knowledge could impart a better point of view.

A major reason for the dilapidation and restructuring is the lack of knowledge and awareness amongst the citizens regarding the carvings of their own homes. If the necesssary heritage education and pride was instilled, they would be open to relooking at their priorities and preserving the spaces.

Instil a sense of pride and awareness toward heritage amongst the residents of the pol areas

Scenario building X Speculation

Because of riots, the last resident moves out. The place is abandoned. It’s a dilapidating museum without a living heritage. Some buildings and carvings remain intact, and no one resides there.

The place is completely transformed and restructured. Most of the pol houses have been converted into modern homes with some dispersed havelis saving the memory of what used to be in the pols.

All residential areas have been commercialised. Either converted into godowns, or shops or guest houses.

The place is still just as it used to be.

There has been active participation and contribution by the AMC, the popel and heritage department through policy making and revitalization plans to make this possible.

None of the original residents or Gujaratis stay in the Pol anymore. SInce the poeple are selling their houses for cheap, people short of money find abode here.

A natural disaster wipes away the place from the face of the Earth.

Ideas X Deliverables A Website / Online platform

Spatial intervention

Print format

Aid in executing awareness programmes in the A public open archive of the Pols as well as intercative educational content available freely Pol areas. MHT (Mahila Hosing Trust) is an organization responsible for executing the sponsored by the heritage trust. revitalization for Dhal-ni-Pol.

Implement heritage awareness activities through the students of the school. The school in itself is also a heritage structure.

Exhibition

Participatory Activities

Video format

Speculating upon the future of pols and researching upon the condition in the space to eventually create an exhibit to provoke the policy makers and the residents.

Aid in executing awareness programmes in the Pol areas. MHT (Mahila Hosing Trust) is an organization responsible for executing the revitalization for Dhal-ni-Pol.

Implement heritage awareness activities through the students of the school. The school in itself is also a heritage structure.

Possible outputs

Open heritage / Archiving Heritage

Awareness of Heritage for Residents

Critical approach toward heritage

Digital interactive experience For children/ students

For adults

Publication

Activity pamphlet

Theatre and street play

Informational booklet

Activities Treasure Hunt in Dhal ni Pol Housie but make it pol knowledge.

Exhibition

Colour palette

Vibrant, historic, grounded, close-knit

Typography

Ahmedabad Latienne World heritage City

Latienne Italic

Pols - this word is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Pratoli’, meaning entrance to enclosed gates. The old city of Ahmedabad is characterized by conglomeration of houses of communities inhabited by people or families that are connected by caste, religion, profession. Known for their architecture, carvings, urban planning and living heritage. A historical settlement limited to the old city

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beautiful, intricate, grounded, embellished, old but with a contemporary character

Illustration style

Illustration over photographs : To create universal icons for comon elements and features of the pol and make it appealing to children, bright, colourful, graphic.

Contents X Designing curriculum for heritage awareness General Pol knowledge Illustrations and text

Activity section Questions, drawings, writings

Architectural plan Home plans Carvings Chabutras

Know your pol Ask your elders look for stories

History Culture Communities Festivals Customs Stories

Live activities Resident heritage walk Treasure hunts Play pol games event

Education of living heritage

Contents X Funding X Potential collaboration with organizations AMC Heritage Trust, Mr. Ashish Trambadia Information and support for creating the collaterals for awareness and implementing interactive heritage awareness programmes.

SEWA Association

Vanita Vishram School

Aid in executing awareness programmes in the Implement heritage awareness activities Pol areas. MHT (Mahila Hosing Trust) is an through the students of the school. The organization responsible for executing the school in itself is also a heritage structure. revitalization for Dhal-ni-Pol.

In contact with Shantiben from vanita school and Mr. Ashish Trambadia from Heritage Dept.

Output format A2 Accordion fold 16.5 x 23.4inch Final Format 8.5 x 26 inches

A medium that is cheap, covers less surface area, yet can fit in enough content and illustrations while keeing the format playful and engaging for kids.

Is this enough to grab the attention and interest of kids?

Final Deliverable and Execution plan Video on Pols for children

Educational pamphlet

Activities and Heritage Walks

Information and support for creating the collaterals for awareness and implementing interactive heritage awareness programmes.

Aid in executing awareness programmes in the Implement heritage awareness activities Pol areas. MHT (Mahila Hosing Trust) is an through the students of the school. The organization responsible for executing the school in itself is also a heritage structure. revitalization for Dhal-ni-Pol.

Internal Spreads

Spreads talking about and asking questions on the pol residential areas.

Supporting Video The audio of the video is inspired by Bhavai theatre's style.

Until the 14th century, Gujarat had a rich tradition of writing and performing Sanskrit plays. This was when Asait Thakker, a folk singer of religious narrative stories, launched folk participatory theatre called Bhavai, using mythological and historical themes and characters, creating awareness in the audiences on the social issues. It is believed that Asait has written around 360 performances out of which around 60 survive today.

Writing a script in collaboration with Bhavai Artist from Ahmedabad Janak Dave. The visual style will be similar to these illustrations.

Video as a knowledge provider and zine as revision of that knowledge.

Future Scope Digital interactive experience Open heritage and archive for tourists, residents, researchers, everyone online AR-VR map showcasing the pols and documenting them. A 3d collage while one wanders the streets - a layer of information about it. Future repository of digital heritage, even if structures are edging towards dilapidation. An attempt toward archiving as well as interactive holistic model of information sharing about the pols. 600 of them.

One cannot stop things from changing, but one can always preserve and document what exists right now.

For my love, Ahmedabad

Bibliography X Books

Bibliography X Articles / research papers https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1551/ http://heritage.ahmedabadcity.gov.in/ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ahmedabaddeclared-indias-first-heritage-city-by-unesco/article62057366.ece https://www.theheritagelab.in/ahmedabad-world-heritage-city/ https://heritagewalkahmedabad.com/ https://indianexpress.com/article/research/four-reasons-whyahmedabad-had-become-indias-only-world-heritage-city-4742870/ https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT_195264.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282519730_ Documentation_and_Cultural_Heritage_Inventories_-_Case_of_the_ Historic_City_of_Ahmadabad https://isprs-annals.copernicus.org/articles/II-5-W3/271/2015/ isprsannals-II-5-W3-271-2015.pdf