Timeless Tales

 Yesterday was celebrated the World Heritage Day. It was initiated by the UNESCO in 1983. As per the edicts of the ICOMOS, the international council which initiated this concept, world heritage initially consisted of monuments and sites. What a wealth we have of these in India, and internationally!

Just think of either Hampi or Ajanta-Ellora. Who could be these nameless master craftsmen creating poetry in stones? The only emotion possible at the very thought of these wonders is reverence. Honestly, many many more must be included in this list. The Kedarnath Temple, for instance. How was it built? Such stone slabs are not available anywhere near that site. These huge slabs are, moreover, just interlocked! Defying the extreme vagaries of nature, it stands tall, like the "gopurams" of the South temples, truly timeless!

In my opinion, texts, too, truly are extremely creative cultural heritage. Beginning from palm leaves, parchments, vellum, to clay slabs to silk scrolls, the history of writing is itself a tremendous tale. As for the "words, words, words" written on these surfaces, they have enriched worlds. Hence it made me feel very happy when I read the status by Dr. Rajeshree Gokhale, my colleague whose Department looks after the cultural con-'texts'. She mentions in that status that now the "Geeta" and the "Natyashastra" by Bharat Muni are heritage texts. Feel proud that I have tried to learn (and partially teach) both. Could I add ad infinitum to this list! The very thought is exhilarating!!

Oh, yes, how possibly could we forget the natural heritage sites? Look at the Western Ghats, for example. Though it makes one worry about the tectonic shift underneath, are not the Himalayas standing taller a few inches every year a matter of pride? 

These timeless tales, whether regional (the beautiful 'bawdies'), national (countless) and international (literally beyond measure), prove irrefutably that human(e) greatness is eternal!

Pratima@ Heritage monuments, sites, texts indeed are footprints that nothing, neither disasters, nor wars, nor neglect, can erase. The Taliban triumphs not over the Bamiyan Buddhas!