Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India

Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

ICHR sponsored national seminar: The department of Ancient history and archaeology and Indian council of Historical research organized a two-day national seminar on “Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India” at the N. D. S. Hall[1] (G33), Centenary building of University of Madras on October 28^th and 29^th, 2013. A photo exhibition on “Indian tourism monuments and South Indian epigraphy” was also arranged in the same hall launched by ASI, Southern Circle, Temple Survey Project and Epigraphy Branch, Fort St George, Chennai.  As many as 300 photographs of Indian historical monuments, sent in by 26 circle offices of the Archaeological Survey of India, were on vivid display on the occasion[2].

Visitors to the photo exhibition – photo courtesy – The Hindu

The seminar brought together archaeological experts and eminent personalities working in the area of tourism for preparation of a tourism atlas as a guiding tool for tourists in the country[3]. The Central government institution, Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) supported the varsity by providing the funding around Rs 1 lakh, which was utilized for providing food and lodging to the participants who came from all over India to present papers on the topic.

Invitation – photo courtesy – Vijayakumar

As many as 80 academicians presented papers on the occasion. The entries were selected from a pool of 160. The bottom-line of the event was that tourism was not just meant for enjoyment, but an educative process[4].

Entrance to the Department of Ancient History and archaeology, Madras University

Inauguration of the Seminar: On October 28^th, the first day of the seminar, the delegates and others were invited by Dr J Soundararajan, coordinator of the seminar. The Seminar Abstract was released by Prof Dr R. Thandavan[5], Vice Chancellor of the University.

Release of Abstract – photo courtesy Dinamalar

The VC had been so humane in his address remembering and recalling his association with the persons and places that is also a part of tourism. Dr T. S. Sridar IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to Govt. of India inaugurated the photo exhibition and gave the presidential address. Pointing out the thousands of years old archaeological sites and other monuments, he stressed that by visiting those places, the factors related to culture, architecture, tradition could be understood and appreciated. The awareness about the protection of ancient monuments had been increasing throughout the world. None could estimate the value of the monuments, temples and other sculptures on India in terms of money. Therefore, awareness could be created by conducting this type of seminars. Government had also enacted many acts to preserve and protect the monuments. There should be coordination among different organizations dealing with the issues for the betterment of tourism. When such cooperation was achieved then, there would be more facilities created to the tourists and the number of tourists would also be increased[6].

Prof / Dr Rajukalidos, Dr R. Thandavan, Dr T. S. Sridar, Dr P. D. Balaji, Dr M. Seran

Keynote address by Dr Rajukalidos: The keynote address was given by Dr Rajukalidos, former Dean of Arts & Dept of Sculpture and Art History, Tamil University, Tanjore. Unlike others in Conferences and seminar, he told that as his full paper had been printed in the Abstract booklet, he would like to delve upon other facts, instead of repeating what he had already written in it[7]. He argued that sensitivity about the heritage of monuments should be inculcated among all, so that the artistic tradition could be preserved and developed. The difference between pilgrimage and tourism type of picnic was also pointed out by him.

lighting of Kutthuvilakku of course with a candle

Facilitations and technical session (28-10-2013): The facilitations of Prof / Dr / Thiru P. Venkatesan, Deputy Director (Retd), ASI, South Zone, Bangalore; P. D. Balaji Head I/C of the department of Ancient history and archaeology, Madras University; and others followed and concluded with vote of thanks by M . Seran, Technical officer of the department. After this, the technical sessions started with the presentation of papers by various researchers of different disciplines. Except few papers that were in Tamil, all others were presented in English touching upon various aspects of usage of History and Archaeology for the furtherance of Tourism.

Abstract of National seminar: The “Abstrat” volume contains 80 papers listed of 90 pages. The introduction by Dr J Soundararajan has been informative providing the list of the preceding HODs and archaeological sites excavated by the department. It also contains a brief about ICHR, the theme of the seminar and the sub-themes, and full papers of Dr J Soundararajan and Dr Rajukalidas (keynote address).

K . Karuppaiah presents paper – R K K Rajarajan on the dais

Technical session (29-10-2013): The paper presentation session continued on October 29^th also. A group of students from Sindhi College of Arts and Science, Chennai – 79, attended with the presentation of papers also. Afternoon, the valedictory function was held in which Dr Koteswara Prasad, Registrar I/C, Dr R. Kannan IAS, Principal secretary to TN govt and other officers of ASI and University attended. Dr R. Kannan through PPT showed how the Museum has been renovated and remodeled according to the international standards.

a section of the audience

Brief about paper presentation and discussion: The papers delved upon the famous tourist places (temples, forts, palaces), archaeological sites (Poondi, Chittor, Mahabalipuram), protected monuments (Tanjore, Mahabalipuram), and economic aspects of tourisms. Few papers contrasted tourism and pilgrimage. One paper presenter pointed out that more than 80 types of tourisms had been identified in the LPG regime. Incidentally several papers were about Vellore and Vellore Fort in particular and Thanjavur. Some papers were in general deviating from the theme of the conference.  Some papers were also presented in Tamil. The interaction among the paper presenters, discussants, researchers and others had been lively bring out new ideas, data and information proving the multi-disciplinary scope of the subject matter. In fact, different professionals from engineering, medicine, anthropology, and other fields attended the seminar. One electronic engineer explained s to how the scientific tools and models could be used for the promotion of tourism. Dr J. Soundararajan as a Coordinator of the seminar was contacting personally with every paper presenter and making it successful and useful to the participants. Excellent arrangements were made for the outstation delegates to stay and food for all who attended the seminar on both days. The college and school students came to listen to the papers and as well as see the photo exhibition. Definitely, now general public have developed more interest in tourism.

a section of the audience

1838 – a section of the audience

engineer presenting paper

1857 – engineer presenting paper

a section of the audience

1858 – a section of the audience

a section of the audience

1859 – a section of the audience

a section of the audience

1871 – a section of the audience

1872 – a section of the audience

1873 – Rajarajan, Damodaran, Gowthaman

1874 – Viramani, Rajarajan, Damodaran, Gowthaman

1875 –

1876 – a section of the audience

1877 – a section of the audience

Second day of the Seminar

1878 – S Rajavelu presents paper

1882 – a section of the audience

1884 – Dr S. Vasanthi, Commissioner State Archaeology dept., presenting paper

1886 – Valedictory session

1888 – Dr R. Kannan IAS, Principal secretary to Govt, TN.,  presentation on the museum renovation

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[1] N. D. S – N. D. Sundaravadivelu, one of the former VCs of Madras University.

[2] ‘Tourism is more educative than fun’ By Express News Service – CHENNAI; Published: 29th October 2013 08:28 AM; Last Updated: 29th October 2013 08:29 AM

[3] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/encouraging-tourism-the-archaeology-way/article5282656.ece

[4] http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Tourism-is-more-educative-than-fun/2013/10/29/article1860836.ece

[5] Earlier HOD of Political Science and Anna Studies, University of Madras.

[6] http://www.dinamalar.com/news_detail.asp?id=837804

[7] Rajukalidos, History, Archaeology and Tourism, Abstract of National seminar, pp.18-28.