‘Kodallu’ (daughters-in-law) of the ancient Amaravati heritage town took the centre stage for celebrate World Heritage Week from November 19 to 25.
Since the occasion calls for active engagement of students from schools and colleges, who can be the young change agents, the local ‘kodallu’ fanned out in the village mobilising students and their parents for a series of programmes hosted by the Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum.
Unique programme
The museum launched a unique ‘Maa Uroo Maa Kodallu’ programme a year ago, taking in its fold young and old daughters-in-law of the land and making them active part of the programmes initiated by it.
The museum remained a hub of activity all through the week that saw women assembling to partake in activities that aim at seamless fusion of the community in the preservation and conservation drive launched by the museum authorities.
“The goal is to raise awareness and encourage people in the preservation and safeguarding of all forms of our cultural heritage.
“Andhra Pradesh is making a concerted effort to protect and promote the arts, culture, and heritage of the local land through the new Board of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, chaired by the Chief Minister himself,” said Amareswar Galla, chief curator of the museum.
Presentation of dance performances and an award-winning play at the museum marked the week-long fair, followed by brief lectures on the local understanding of the term ‘heritage’ and ‘culture’, engaging people of all age groups and walks of life, comprised some of the activities.
The ancient panchayat body is utilising the occasion to celebrate the achievements it has seen in the past one year in the form of infrastructure development that has changed some of the localscapes.
Beautification projects
Under the Centrally-sponsored HRIDAY (Heritage City Development Scheme (HRIDAY) and PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive), several development and beautification projects have been implemented.
They include development of the Krishna ghats, conservation and restoration of the Amaralingeswara Swamy temple, development of the archaeological heritage park that encompasses the ASI Museum, the travellers’ bungalow, the Buddhist Mahastupa and pedestrianisation of the park and sound-and-light shows at Krishnaveni ghats and the Dhyana Buddha.
“This place has layers of heritage from the past 2,900 years wrapped in it. We are trying to unfold it layer by layer, making the local community an active part of this enchanting exercise,” said Prof. Galla.
Tourism Secretary M.K. Meena, who has been monitoring the works at regular intervals, insists on promoting neighbourhood approaches to promote culture as sustainable development.
