Jan-17Cul Flashcards
Jan-17Cul -Index
- Buddhavanam Project
- Hakka Pikki
- Karai Kolakkanatham
- Kempe Gowda ERA Mantapa
- Savitribai Phule
- Tangalia Weaving
- Disrespecting Heritage
8.1. BUDDHAVANAM PROJECT
Why in News?
Recently Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan visited the Buddhavanam Project in Nagarjunasagar dam region of Nalgonda district (Telangana).
About Buddhavanam Project
It is a Buddhist heritage theme park of the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) which was conceptualized in 2005.
As per the history, it was a place where Acharya Nagarjuna established a university and was the main centre for the propagation of Buddhism in other countries.
It is first of its kind project in the country having many thematic segments depicting the major events from the life of Buddha.
About Acharya Nagarjuna (Also known as Second Buddha/ Medicine buddha)
He was a philosopher and founder of Madhyamaka (Middle Path) school of Mahayana Buddhism.
He was the most influential Buddhist thinker after Buddha himself.
He is considered to be one the ancient scholars and teachers of Ayurveda.
8.2. HAKKA PIKKI
Why in news?
Karnataka govt. decided to permanently rehabilitate the members of Hakki-Pikki community.
Around 150 persons of the community, majority of them women and children were earlier forcefully evicted from govt. land at Mogerahalli in Srirangapatna following opposition from members of another community.
About Hakki-Pikki community
This tribe is mainly found in the southern part of India and is semi nomadic in nature.
It is said that the tribal community has relations with the king Rana Pratap and are from the Kshatriya clan.
These tribes follow rules of Matriarchy and Endogamy is strictly prohibited.
Their main occupation is Hunting but they are showing more interest in agriculture and floral decoration.
They are well conversant in their local dialect Vahgri, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi and some also speak Malayalam and Telugu.
They celebrate various festivals like Diwali, shivaratri, Ugadi, Ganesh chaturthi and practice animal sacrifice.
8.3. KARAI KOLAKKANATHAM
Why in News?
Geological Survey of India has advised the state government
to protect fossil deposits of Karai – Kolakkanatham,
Perambalur district, Karnataka.
This is the only site in the world where entire geological
succession is preserved indicating that site remained
submerged for prolonged period.
Fossils found here are about 110 million years old.
These fossils are found in pyramid like structures and entire
shape of animals and other marine species have been preserved in full shape.
In November 2016, State Tourism Department, on recommendations of GSI, had declared the entire area as “Geological Heritage Site”.
Geological Heritage Site (GHS)
GSI declares Geological Heritage Sites/National Geological Monuments for conservation, protection and maintenance.
GSI or the respective State governments take necessary measures to protect these sites.
Box–Geological Survey of India
It is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.
It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
Its main function is creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
Its headquarter is in Kolkata.
8.4. KEMPE GOWDA ERA MANTAPA
Why in News?
Recently a historic relic, believed to be from Kempe Gowda era, called Mantapa was unearthed during de-
silting work in Hosakerehalli Lake in Bengaluru.
It is made up of greyish-black granite.
Mantapa
It is a four-pillared structure holding together the roof and floor, which are essentially stone slabs. It is adorned by floral carvings while the rooftop with a depression appears like a cradle.
It is locally known as Gangammana Thottilu (the cradle of Ganga).
Who was Kempe Gowda?
He was a chieftain under vijaynagar empire who ruled most part of Karnataka during 16th century.
He is considered as the founder of Bengaluru city. As per a legend, he built Hosakerehalli lake in 16th century.
—Fig—
8.5. SAVITRIBAI PHULE
Why in News?
Recently Google paid tribute to social reformer Savitribai Phule on the occasion of her 186th birth anniversary in the form of doodle.
About Savitribai Phule
She was born in Naigaon, Maharashtra on January 3, 1831 in wealthy and influential farmer family.
Though she was married to Jyotirao Phule at the age of just 9, she was determined to study and was one of the very few indigenous literate women in her era.
Couple founded India’s first school for girls in Pune in 1848 when female education was considered as taboo in the then society.
Couple also opened a care center called “Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha” for pregnant rape victims.
She fought against prevalent social evils like child marriages, child widows, Sati practice, discrimination, unfair treatment and humiliation faced by Untouchables etc.
She opened a clinic in Pune in 1897 for the victims of bubonic plague however she succumbed to the disease in same year.
Two books of her poems were published posthumously - Kavya Phule and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar
8.6. TANGALIA WEAVING
Why in News?
Govt. of India will help Tangalia weavers purchasing looms by providing them financial assistance amounting to 90% of the price of looms.
What is Tangalia weaving
It is a 700-year-old indigenous craft which uses a unique weaving technique comprising themes made up of ‘danas’ or beads ranging from a few dots to a more elaborate arrangement by using cotton or wool yarn.
It is only practiced by the Dangasia community in Surendranagar district of Gujarat.
Tangalia textiles are usually worn as a shawl and wraparound skirt by the women of the Bharwad shepherd community.
Tangalia shawl was given Geographical Indications recognition by the Central government in 2009.
Dangasia community
The word Dangasia has been derived from the word Dang, meaning stick in the vernacular language, signifying the stick used by shepherds to herd their sheep.
The Dangasias follow Hinduism. They are believers in Chamunda Devi, a form of the goddess Parvati and celebrate Navratri.
They celebrate all major Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Uttarayan and Janmashtami besides actively participating in other local festivals and fairs.
They share a symbiotic relation with the Bharwads, where the latter provides wool and the former wove garments for them.
8.7. DISRESPECTING HERITAGE
Context
A recent note by Ministry of Culture suggests amendments to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments and Validation) Act, 2010.
It will give legal powers to Central govt. with respect to new construction in protected sites.
Importance of heritage
Built heritage is a significant public good and is recognized as such in the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule.
It nurtures our collective memories of places and is a significant constituent in the identity of cities.
It has invaluable potential to contribute to our knowledge of not just history and the arts, but also science and technology.
Several buildings and sites throughout the country, even
entire areas or parts of historic cities, are examples of
sustainable development.
Knowledge gained from such resources can provide
constructive ways to address development challenges.
It also fundamental duty as per the Article 51A(f) of Indian
constitution i.e. to value and preserve the rich heritage of
our composite culture.
Issues
If the 2016 bill is cleared by Parliament, such construction
could happen in the immediate vicinity of protected
properties of national importance.
Historic structures and archaeological remains are most susceptible to heavy vibrations, chemical effects or mechanical stresses in this zone.
Giving legal powers to the Central government with respect to new construction in protected sites will suppress existing bodies like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and National Monuments’ Authority (NMA).
Proposals in the note: Two of the three projects justified in the proposal have contradictions.
Construction of elevated road nearby Akbar’s tomb
this would visually obliterate the historic structure
Traffic movement and automobile fumes would scar an elaborately painted gateway
Cranes and piles operating in the vicinity will cause excessive vibrations
Rani-Ki-Vav in Patan, Gujarat is slated to be the site for a railway track.
Box–1-Union List
Ancient and historical monuments and records, and archaeological sites and remains, declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance
State List
Libraries, museums and other similar institutions controlled or financed by the State; ancient and historical monuments and records other than those declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance.
Box–2-Heritage vs. development
This old law originating from colonial period does need review. However, protection without survey and documentation is undesirable.
Physical planning and urban development can keep heritage value aside.
Heritage sites end up as the tourism industry’s cash cows.
Conservation of heritage should be seen as a priority to human need and development.
