promoting cultural heritage tourism – dhakshina chitra,

8/4/2019 Promoting Cultural Heritage Tourism Dhakshina Chitra,

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PROMOTING CULTURAL HERITAGETOURISM DHAKSHINA CHITRA,

CHENNAI.

By,

Ms. Hemalatha. S

Mr. Jayaram. V

Lavanya Krishnan


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INTRODUCTION

India its vast geographical dimension is interwoven with

deep religious beliefs, profound philosophies, history art and

culture.

Heritage is a broad concept and includes the natural as well

as the cultural environment.

It encompasses landscapes, historic places, sites and built

environments, as well as biodiversity, collection, past and

continuing cultural practices, knowledge and living

experiences.


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CONT. .

At the time of increasing globalization the protection,

conservation, interpretation and presentation of the heritage

and cultural diversity of any particular place or region is an

important challenge for people everywhere.

Management of that heritage, within a frame work of

internationally recognized and appropriately applied

standards, is usually the responsibility of the particular

community or custodian groups.


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CONT. .

A primary objective of managing heritage is to communicate

its significance and need to its visitors.

Dakshina Chitra, a non-profit, community service project of the

Madras craft foundation is for the promotion and preservation

of the cultures of the diverse people of India with emphasis on

Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andra Pradesh and Karnataka.


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IMPORTANCEOF STUDY

Today, due to the technological developments, their is a vast

change in our life style and thus no one finds time to think

about our past heritage. Dakshina Chitra serves to be a living

heritage and it is necessary for all of us to know our past

culture.


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OBJECTIVES

To study the importance of Dakshina Chitra as cultural

heritage center.

To gain knowledge about the culture and the way of living of

our ancestors.

To highlight Dakshina Chitra as a cultural heritage destiny.

To know the promotional activities of Dakshina Chitra in a

attracting foreign tourist.


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SCOPE

Dakshina Chitra and gives a wide choice for those who wants

to know about the past culture. It also gives a detailed

expansion of the various state of South India about their

culture and their traditional way of living.


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METHODOLOGY

The data was collected from Dakshina Chitra officials, books

and from websites. Discussions and personal interview were

held with the Dakshina Chitras management officials.


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HISTORYOF DHAKSHINA CHITRA

Situated on the eastern shore, quietly resonating with the gentle

thumps of the blue water at its back door, Dhakshina Chitra

epitomizes the South Indian cultural heritage.

In an era when the old and traditional are vulnerable and

challenged, this nucleus of an idea triggered a cultural journey.

Inspired by the artisans and fold artists of the villages, Dr.

Deborah Thiagrajan, set out to form the Madras Craft Foundation

(MCF) in 1984.


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Madras Craft Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental

organization and Dakshina Chitra was conceived as its main

project. With the support of like-minded board members and

volunteers and financial support from the Madras community, Dr.

Thiagarajan and all others associated with MCF pursued the

dream with perseverance and determination.

Laurie Baker - the renowned architect, graciously donated his

services to the foundation.

The spatial conceptualization at Dakshina Chitra and his building

techniques and process breathe his philosophy of empowering

masons and craftspeople in the building process.


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Architect Benny Kuriakose who designed the public buildings and

supervises the conservation and reconstruction of the heritage

buildings, has also provided continued service in the construction

and conservation of the center.

Dakshina Chitra, which means "picture of the South", wasestablished in 1996 on a 10-acre (40,000 m2) campus at Muttukadu

by Madras Craft Foundation (MCF). It is within driving distance

from Chennai city, situated along the ECR highway en route

to Mamallapuram and Pondicherry.

Architecture of the past 200 years is represented in the real rural

setting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamallapuramhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pondicherryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pondicherryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamallapuramhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai


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Every house is typical of its own professional group.

Traders, potters, weavers, and others working in the traditional

way make exquisite pottery, baskets, and carved stone items,

some of which are for sale

The center is now developed to include the cultural replicas from

all four states of South India.

There are accurate reconstructions of houses & streets from the

states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnatakahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnatakahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala


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It is the center for architecture, craft, folk performing arts and the

life styles of the people of each of the four Southern states

presented in a settling of authentically reconstructed homes and

village spaces of the turn of the century.

Even before the construction of the center began the foundation

had been actively engaged in research and had acted as a

resource center in bringing the diversity of the Southern acts,

particularly the folk performing acts into the Madras community.


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It is a beautiful, serene retreat on the Mahabalipuram road that

transports all of us into a fantasy world of the 19th century. It is

miniature representation of which 16,000 are school children. Today

65 volunteers have pitched in their lot to sun this non-profit making

organization into a viable proposition, though grants and donations.


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DHAKSHINA CHITRA THE CULTURAL HUB

Dakshina Chitra is a center for the living traditions of art, folk

performing arts, craft and architecture of India with an emphasis on

the traditions of South India

It is a window to the south, showcasing its architecture, artisans, folk

performers, music and crafts.

Dakshinachitra strives to become the cultural hub of the city of

Madras radiating progressively to other parts of southern India.


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Situated on ten acres overlooking the Bay of Bengal, twenty one

kilometers from Madras, on the Madras-Mahabalipuram road

Dakshinachitraembodies the concept of a center of living tradition.

It authentically portrays the crafts, domestic architecture and spatial

organization, as well as the folk performing arts of South India.

With the swift changes occurring in society and the environment

Dakshinachitra dramatically calls attention to what is being lost:

traditional values, form and aesthetics rooted within


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The Madras Craft Foundation's educational outreach programs at

Dakshinachitra, free to all corporation and village schools, currently

reach over 15,000 students per year.

Dakshinachitra'swork with craftspeople from the southern states is

highlighted by the daily presence of weavers, stone carvers and

potters at the center. This is achieved through exhibitions and

workshops, a craft shop, an archive, and a restaurant which offers

regional fare.


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LAYOUTOF DHAKSHINA CHITRA


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PLANNINGTHE CENTER

In the planning of the center importance was given to the concept

that Dakshina Chitra should give a representation of the different,

broad groups of people living in each state.

In Tamil Nadu, houses have been chosen to represent the vocations

of the people- the merchants, the agriculturists, priest/teachers,

agricultural workers and crafts people-weavers, potters and basketweavers.


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In Kerala, the houses have been chosen to represent the three

religious groups-Christians, Muslim and Hindus, since their origin

and their harmonious living is a distinctive feature of that state.

In Karnataka, houses of agriculturists, craftspeople, and traders will

be represented with emphasis on the migration, trade and diversity of

that state as a border state with northern culture.

In Andhra, the division of the state into Telangana, Rayalaseema and

Coastal Andhra is being taken as the construct for the state.


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PRESERVING INDIAS ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Architects play an important role in protecting the countrys heritage

and providing adequate cost effective, environmentally and socially

friendly buildings for the large population

With the intention of creating a better awareness and understanding

of traditional vernaculars their materials, techniques and

conservation, Dakshinachitra offers a series of workshops to

students of architecture and also to architects

These residential workshops are on vernacular architecture of south

India, traditional materials and building techniques and introduction

to conservation techniques and buildings revue.


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VILLAGETOURISMAND ARCHITECTURE

Dakshinachitra works to make a owners proud of their traditional

homes. From the empty mansions of the earlier merchants of

Chettinad to the changing street facades of village near the center,

Dakshinachitra promotes the concept of villages tourism.

The centre has also formulated a workshop, Planning for village

tourism primarily for architectural students.


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MUSICAND FOLK PERFORMING ARTS

Dakshinachitra is a special forum that introduces the rich cultural

variety of folk troupes of south India to the public

Through the special state and thematic festivals, folk troupes from

various regions of India are showcased

Dakshinachitra works in a consistent manner to encourage troupes

to choreograph more polished and varied performances


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MUSIC

Chennai is a city of music and Dakshinachitra has access to very

senior musician; some perform at Dakshinachitra, some hold

workshops and some use Dakhinachitra as performance center for

their young learners it is setting up a permanent exhibitions

Introduction to Carnatic music to bring music closer to the public

and to introduce it evolution and connection with temple and folk

music.


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CRAFTS

Artisans and folk performing artists have an important role to play.

Craft promotion and craft development are the major goals. Traditional

craft and textiles are exhibited throughout the center.

For over a decade the Madras craft foundation has been organizing

directly marking opportunities for crafts people through the schemes

supported by the office of the development commissioner, handicrafts,

and through direct marketing facilities at the craft bazaar and craftshop.

The craft bazaar is a major direct marketing opportunity for

craftspeople.


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ACTIVITIESAT DHAKSHINA CHITRA

Pottery

Grinding Rice

Palm Leaf Decoration

Paper House Making

Kolam

Pot Pinting


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Pot Breaking

Block Printing

Mehandi

Mask Making

Pupil Leaf Painting


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TAMIL NADU SECTION

Puppet Show: This is free of Cost.

Glass blowing Demo: This is made at Brahmin House.

Kili Joshiyam and Kai Joshiyam is done in TamilNadu Streets.


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KERALA SECTION

Performs folk dances at afternoon section only.


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DHAKSHINA CHITRAAS TOURISM PROMOTION

Dakshinachitra is today a landmark in the citys geography. The

institution has grown and matured and its reach extends deep into

Chennai.

Interpreting the past as a springboard to the future, working with new

ideas and novel visual concepts, exploring issues of contemporary

culture and planting seeds of curiosity and understanding of our rich

cultures and their diversity this is the emerging Dakshinachitra and

its vision for the future.


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The Dakshinachitra centre has multiple target groups, foreign tourists

being one.

The educated Indian tourist is another.

The educated Indian resident of Chennai, and its guest, as well as

school children, are also their targets.

School children are the primary target, and like most others abroad,the foundation lays emphasis on outreach education and has hired

expertise for organizing children programes.


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Foreign tourism to Dakshinachitra is based on another assumption

that is important to their goal.

The foundation feels that the foreign appreciation and interest in local

culture could help to generate pride and appreciation in that culture

by local inheritors and practitioners of the culture.


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The Indian tourist has a different set of interests and perceptions

from the foreign tourist. For the urban Indian under the age of 50, the

centre represents a glimpse into traditions of their youth, observed in

its own home, of more likely in their grandparents home.


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FINDINGS

Dakshinachitra attracts all the age groups

Children

Youngsters

Adults

Aged people

Specify: Children & Youngsters

school & college visit

Adults Educational study / research work

Aged people relish the glimpse of cultural Heritage


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Dakshinachitra attracts more of foreign tourist than the domestic

tourist

Domestic tourists: 40% foreign tourists: 60%


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Dakshinachitra has 60% of repeated tourists visiting

The special features of Dakshinachitra attracting visitors are

[ ] Forms of houses [ ] Festivals[ ] Preservation of old items [ ] Exhibitions, workshops, seminars

Dakshinachitra offers various promotional activities

[

] Package tours

[ ] Accomodation facilities

[ ] Exhibitions (art gallery throughout the year)

[ ] Festivals (village festivals during January, North Indian festivalsduring December and special festival events like ugadi, adiperuku,

ramzan, Christmas etc. throughout the year)

[ ] Discounts (10% for above 30nos group)


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Tourist expect to get the experience when they visit DakshinaChitra

by

See the art and cultural of south India within one roof

Under stand the traditional activities

Trace out the traditional livelihood

Pass on the cultural heritage information to next generation.

There is a constant increase of the number visiting Dakshinachitra

during last 5years

2006 50,000

2007

60,000

2008 80,000

2009 1, 20,000

2010 2, 00,000


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CONCLUSION

The goal of Dakshinachitra is to become a resource center that

focuses on the craftspeople, craft entrepreneurs and groups who

need help and have little access to information, whether it is

business methods, understanding credit and development schemes

available, or exploring new technologies and new designs which can

impact the quality, price and marketability of their products.

Dakshinachitra is moving towards the global recognition, as one and

only place which gives the experience of South India under one roof

promoting cultural heritage tourism – dhakshina chitra,

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