IGNCA calls for preservation of India’s ancient sculptural heritage
Speakers at first lecture series conducted on ‘Temple Architecture’ by the Tirupati regional centre of Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts (IGNCA), which operates under the
Speakers at first lecture series conducted on ‘Temple Architecture’ by the Tirupati regional centre of Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts (IGNCA), which operates under the Union Ministry of Culture, called for concerted efforts to safeguard and preserve the ancient sculptural heritage of the country. The event was held here on Tuesday in association with Sri Venkateswara Institute of Traditional Sculpture and Architecture (SVITSA), run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), to promote knowledge of temple architecture and create a resource pool of sculptors.
IGNCA Regional Director K.T.V. Raghavan stressed the importance of academic collaborations to promote traditional knowledge and recalled the centre’s commitment to documenting, promoting and disseminating the rich knowledge traditions of temple related craftsmanship. While appreciating IGNCA’s initiative, SVITSA Principal K. Venkata Reddy emphasised the need to encourage students to actively engage in preserving the living heritage of India’s artistic traditions, besides promoting the career options in temple sculpture.
P. Viswarupachari, an associate lecturer at SVITSA, explained to the students and the members of the audience the special features of Dravidian temples, the symbolism of various temple components, and the artistic
and spiritual significance of temple sculpture. Through detailed illustrations and practical examples, he highlighted the traditional techniques followed by ‘Sthapathis’ and sculptors in the construction of temples and creation of sacred icons.
The BriefWire