FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Preserving Cultural Heritage
For Urban Regeneration

By Khilendra Basnyat

CULTURAL heritage links us with our history and helps in facing the future. Hence, the acts for the preservation of cultural heritage has been gaining ground in many countries in recent times.

Preservation and promotion of traditional or folk performing arts have been a major concern in Nepal since time immemorial. The Nepalese people have had their own variety of tradition, religious and folk cultural heritages.

The religious harmony and tolerance between relions have not only been a vital force behind the continuity of cultural traditions in the country but also helped to evolve a unique cultural mosaic. The Lichhavi rulers and the Malla rulers continued this age-old tradition of patronising the art and culture of the country.

After the unification of the country by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, much efforts were undertaken for preserving cultural heritage. Other Shah Kings also continued to preserve traditional cultural heritage.

However, during the Rana regime from 1846 to 1951, the Rana prime ministers neither encouraged nor discouraged traditional cultural heritage. They were indifferent to the protection and development of art and culture. Consequently, some of our pristine cultural tradition vanished or deteriorated.

After the advent of democracy in Nepal in 1951, some new institution were set up to look various aspects of traditional Nepalese culture, including the Royal Nepal Academy, Tribhuvan University, Department of Archeology, Nepal Association of Fine Arts, Nepal Art Council, National Archives, Sanskritik Sansthan (Cultural Undertakings. They are playing their own significant roles in preserving and promoting traditional and folk performing arts.

After the restoration of democracy in our country in 1990, a new scenario has emerged. In 1991, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSAC) was established. The aim was to formulate and implement policies, plans and programmes regarding culture. It is also responsible for the preservation and promotion of folk or traditional cultural heritages.

On cultural matters, MOYSAC and the Ministry of Comunication (MOC) are the two main policy and decision-making bodies in the government. Nepal Television, Radio Nepal and other media are working under MOC.

After 1990, under the new free and liberal environment, some non-governmental organisations aiming at restoration, revival, research and promotion of cultural heritage have come into existence. A few such organisations are indirectly helping the preservation and promotion of traditional performing arts. They also introduce
foreign elements in their performance to make them more attractive as well as profitable.

Home to various tribes, communities and social groups adhering to different religions, observing varied social customs and nurtured in diverse cultural traditions, Nepal is a treasure trove to traditional folk perfoming arts such as music, song and dance.

Although the traditional or folk performing art in urban areas is moving towards commercialisation, it is still continuing in rural areas as a major recreational activity of the people.

In reality, Nepalese art and culture have survived throughout under the love, care and devotion of both the rulers and the people.

Despite the fact that the caste system in the Nepalese society has some shortcomings, it has played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional arts in the country.

Being an agriculture-based society, most of the traditional or folk performing arts of Nepal are influenced by the farming class of people. They are the backbone and forerunners of the traditional culture of the country. Actually, they are the chief architecs and actors. They have been maintaining their traditional occupation, preserving folk art and culture. However, during festivals, everybody participates in singing and dancing. It has been a community affair since time immemorial.

MOYSAC organises folk performing art competition every year in different districts of our country. It helps cultural organisations, groups and individuals for the preservation and promotion of traditional or folk performing arts.

Temples, which are a precious heritage of Nepal, are also national property. They have the potential of attracting Hindu pilgrims and tourists as well. Therefore, Nepal’s temples are important culturally, religiously, and artistically.

The temple sites in Kathmandu valley are specially famous for the landscape they offer. One can see the sprawling valley on one glance. Apart from this, the mountain peaks, hill ranges and forests also can be viewed from these sites.

The government has sought the assistance of some donor agencies in order to secure the tourist potential of cultural sites located in the tourist centres.

UNESCO has assisted Nepal in preserving and promoting some of our unique cultural heritage, which are part of the world heritage.

The Nepal-German Bhaktapur Project has played a vital role in the historical preservation of Bhaktapur’s temple centres resulting in its status as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

During the 1980s, the Pacific Area Travel Association supported some additional historical preservation projects in order to counter the threats of neglect, air pollution, theft and new construction.

Likewise, the government of Austria has assisted in the preservation of art and culture in Lalitpur.

No doubt, Nepal’s heritage runs as a powerful force through every aspects of daily life. However, the values and social structures, which have developed this heritage, are being influenced by destructive processes, both from within and outside the society.

Our cultural heritage will only be effectively conserved if the people comprehend its value. The motivation for conservation comes from the community itself.

Although cultural heritage preservation has been used by many cities around the world as an effective means of urban renewal and revitalisation, it has never been used as effective planning for urban regeneration. In fact, for urban regeneration renovated historical monuments can increase the attractiveness of a place and help project image as tourist site.

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