Wednesday, January 23, 2019

ASI uses just 7% of funds granted for restoration in Hyderabad Karnataka




The Bahmani tombs of Ashtur (top) is among the three sites where renovation has been taken up. | Photo Credit: T. GOPICHAND

Though the Ministry of Culture had allocated huge amounts through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to protect and restore ancient monuments and sites in the Hyderabad Karnataka region in 2017-18, the ASI spent only 7% of the released funds.

According to documents provided by K.M. Mujeebuddin, an RTI activist, the ASI has spent only ₹39.6 lakh of the ₹5.88 crore funds released for the maintenance of heritage monuments coming under Dharwad Circle.

Mr. Mujeebuddin told The Hindu that 16 historical sites in the five districts coming under the region — Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Koppal, and Raichur — were declared as Centrally protected monuments in Dharwad Circle.

Though most of these monuments are in a dilapidated state, renovation works have been taken up only at three sites — the Bahmani tombs of Ashtur, the madrasa of Mahmud Gawan, and Bidar Fort. So far, an amount of ₹39,60,420 has been spent.

The ASI has failed to take up renovation work at Kalaburagi fort (Bahmani Fort), the Jama Masjid on the fort premises, and the famous Hafth Gumbad (Seven Tombs) of Firoz Shah.

Mr. Mujeebuddin said the ancient excavated site with remains of Buddhist stupa at Kanaganahalli in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi, which dates back to between the 1st century BC and 3rd century AD, was crying for attention. The ASI would have utilised funds to develop the Budhist Mahastupa site, he said.

The department has also neglected to protect the prehistoric sites at Vibhuthihalli and Rajankallur in Yadgir district. Three other prehistoric sites in Koppal — the Mahadev temple in Ittagi village, the ancient mound and Hire Benakal sites, and the rock edicts of Ashoka on the two hillocks — were neglected. “Successive governments and representatives of the region have failed to protect the structures. If the ASI fails to utilise the funds fully, it will go back to the government coffers,” Mr. Mujeebuddin said.



Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/asi-uses-just-7-of-funds-granted-for-restoration-in-hyderabad-karnataka/article26044726.ece

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Unique tear shaped tray from 17th century Southern India (BIDAR) at risk of export



A mysterious and uniquely designed tray from the historic city of Bidar in South India is at risk of being exported from the UK unless a buyer can be found.
Published 18 January 2019
From:Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Michael Ellis MP




A mysterious and uniquely designed tray from the historic city of Bidar in South India is at risk of being exported from the UK unless a buyer can be found.

The ‘Tear Shaped Bidri Tray’, which is believed to have been made in the first half of the 17th century by an unknown craftsman, has been blocked from export by Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, to provide an opportunity to keep it in the country.

The tray, deemed to be of a rare size and shape and unparalleled finesse, is in a metalworking technique known as ‘Bidri’, the name deriving from the capital city of the Bahmanid sultanate of the Deccan which was one of the major Muslim kingdoms of medieval India.

It is also believed to be one of only two bidri objects to have its entire outer surface covered in silver inlay, decorated through a complex intertwining of scrolling lines bearing leaves and stylised flowers.

17th century Bidriware is rare in any collection in the world, with the vast majority of pieces in UK public and private collections dating from the 19th century. Even the Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, which has the finest collection of Bidriware in the world, does not own a tray of this type.

Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said:


The Tear Shaped Bidri Tray highlights the style, detail and innovation of metalware produced on the subcontinent during this influential period in world history.

When considering its unique nature, it is right that we do what we can to preserve this valuable item for the nation.

Most of the tray’s ownership history is unknown. It is recorded as having been acquired by the London-based antique dealer Anthony “Tobi” Jack in London by at least 1974, and was owned by the dealer Bashir Mohamed from 1974 to 2017.

Experts also believed that the tray highlights the Indian superiority in metallurgical knowledge, or scientific study of metals, at the time it was made. Appreciation of the zinc alloy technique of bidri may be indirectly linked to sharing with England how to produce metallic zinc, or carry out zinc smelting, on an industrial scale. This would ultimately lead to a transformation in English industrial production around a century later.

The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by The Arts Council. They made their recommendation on the grounds that the item is of outstanding aesthetic importance and significance for the study of Indian and Deccan decorative arts.

Chairman of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, Sir Hayden Phillips, said:


This 17th century Indian tray is exquisite; both in the beauty of its appearance, in the shape of a tear, and in the manner of its creation. It fully reflects the sophistication of Deccan design in the region’s monuments and interiors.

We were unanimous in our view that the tray was of outstanding aesthetic importance and of outstanding significance to the study of Bidri ware”.

The decision on the export licence application for the item will be deferred until 17 April 2019. This may be extended until 17 July 2019 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of £75,000, plus VAT.

Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the tray should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.

ENDS
Notes to editors

Details of the item are as follows:
  • Tear shaped Bidri tray
  • Matching offer: £75,000 plus VAT
  • Blackened zinc alloy inlaid with silver and brass,
  • Measurements: length 35cm, width 29cm, height 3 cm.

The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by The Arts Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

The Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections: www.artscouncil.org.uk.

A Buyer’s Premium is an additional percentage charge on the hammer price, which is charged by the auctioneer to cover their expense.



Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unique-tear-shaped-tray-from-17th-century-southern-india-at-risk-of-export



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Rock solid: Descendants of fort-builders are helping the ASI restore monuments


The Wadars of Maharashtra helped the Marathas and Portuguese build their massive forts. Today, they are using the same methods on projects across the country.



Wadar workers reshape stone blocks at the Elephanta Caves, a Unesco world heritage site in Maharashtra. ’It is a matter of prestige for us that we are being roped in to work on such a site.’ says Tukaram Pawar, 56. (Aalok Soni / HT Photo)

In 2016, the majestic ruins of the Bassein fort on the outskirts of Mumbai were made famous by Coldplay’s ‘Hymn for the weekend’, which opens with shots of the ramparts and an ancient stone staircase.

The 110-acre fort, over four centuries old, is all that remains of the once-bustling port city — that, and the modern-day fort builders of Maharashtra, believed to have descended from the men and women who erected these unshakeable walls.

“The Wadars, a community of stone-cutters from the villages of Ahmednagar and Solapur districts, have unique skill when it comes to working on basalt rock,” says Kailash Shinde, a conservation assistant officer with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “We believe it was they who were employed by the Marathas, the Portuguese and the Ahmedshahi sultans to work this very hard kind of rock into durable fortifications and fortified settlements. Workers for this kind of stone are hard to find.”

In Maharashtra, the Wadars are helping restore nine forts, he adds. They are also helping restore the Bidar fort in Karnataka, the Jhansi fort in Uttar Pradesh and the Krishna Temple in Hampi. And there are plans to rope them in to help restore the Panchalingeswara temple in Mandya, Karnataka.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/rock-solid-descendants-of-fort-builders-are-helping-the-asi-restore-monuments/story-RirYHrSi5UvaRykjcxVGhO.html


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ಹೈಕ 6 ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ: ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲು ಸಲಹೆ


ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಮತ್ತು ತಾಲೂಕು ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳನ್ನು ಅಗತ್ಯ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸುಸಜ್ಜಿತವಾಗಿಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಯುವ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಕ್ರೀಡಾ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಅಪರ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಡಾ. ಡಿ.ಕಲ್ಪನಾ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಹೈಕ 6 ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ: ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲು ಸಲಹೆ
ಬೀದರ್‌:ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಮತ್ತು ತಾಲೂಕು ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳನ್ನು ಅಗತ್ಯ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸುಸಜ್ಜಿತವಾಗಿಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಯುವ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಕ್ರೀಡಾ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಅಪರ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಡಾ. ಡಿ.ಕಲ್ಪನಾ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

BDR-19-1-BDR7

ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶನಿವಾರ ನಡೆದ ಹೈಕದ ಆರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳ ಯುವ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಕ್ರೀಡಾ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಸಹಾಯಕ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರುಗಳ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು.

ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಹೈಕ ಪ್ರದೇಶಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮಂಡಳಿ, ನಗರೋತ್ಥಾನ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಕಡೆಗಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಅನುದಾನ ಪಡೆದು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿರುವ ಅನುದಾನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಇಲಾಖೆಗೆ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಅನುದಾನ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದರು.

ಇಲಾಖೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಯಂ ನೌಕರರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಬಹಳ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಿದೆ. ಹೊರಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ನೌಕರರನ್ನೇ ಅವಲಂಬಿಸುವಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಎಸ್‌ಡಿಸಿ, ಎಫ್‌ಡಿಸಿ, ಸೇವಕರು ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ನಾವೊಬ್ಬರೇ ಕೆಲಸ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಭದ್ರತೆ ಒದಗಿಸಲು ಕಾವಲುಗಾರರಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಕೆಲವು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಸಭೆಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ನಮ್ಮ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಯಂ ತರಬೇತುದಾರರಿಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ತರಬೇತುದಾರರೇ ಸಿಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ವೇತನ ಪಾವತಿಸಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಕೆಲವು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಸಭೆಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸಿದ ಅಪರ ಮುಖ್ಯಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಗಳು, ತರಬೇತಿದಾರರನ್ನು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಇಲಾಖೆಯಿಂದ ಅನುಕೂಲ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಡುವುದಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ತಾಲೂಕು ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳಿಗಿಲ್ಲ ಕಾಂಪೌಂಡ್‌:

ಅಫಜಲಪುರ ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಯಾವ ತಾಲೂಕುಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಾಂಪೌಂಡ್‌ ಗೋಡೆಯಿಲ್ಲ. ತುಂಬಾ ಅಚ್ಚುಕಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಈಜುಕೊಳಕ್ಕೆ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಜನರು ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಂಥೆಟಿಕ್‌ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್‌ ದುರಸ್ತಿಯಾಗಬೇಕಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಕಲಬುರಗಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಸಭೆಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಕಲಬುರಗಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗೆ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿರುವ 50 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗೆ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಎಂದು ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಕೆ. ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಜಂಟಿ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಎಂ.ಎಸ್‌. ರಮೇಶ. ಸುಭಾಷ್‌ ಚಂದ್ರ, ಉಪ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಬಸವರಾಜ ಹಡಪದ ಹಾಗೂ ಇತರರು ಇದ್ದರು.

ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ

ಈಗಾಗಲೇ 3 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಗಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈಜುಕೊಳದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರಿಲ್ಲದಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಿದೆ. ನೂತನ ತಾಲೂಕು ಮಾನ್ವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ನಿವೇಶನದ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿದೆ. 5 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ಅನುದಾನ ಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ರಾಯಚೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಸಭೆಗೆ ಕೋರಿದರು.

ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ತರಬೇತುದಾರರಿಲ್ಲ. ಇಲಾಖೆಯಿಂದ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ವಸತಿ ನಿಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಲಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲು ಅನುದಾನ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ 8 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ಅನುದಾನ ಬೇಕಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ವಸತಿ ನಿಲಯ ನವೀಕರಣಗೊಳಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಪರಿಷ್ಕೃತ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಎಂದು ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಸೂಚಿಸಿದರು.

42 ಎಕರೆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈಜುಕೊಳ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಮುಕ್ತಾಯ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಜಿಮ್‌ ಇದೆ, ತರಬೇತುದಾರರಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಯಾದಗಿರಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. 18 ಎಕರೆ ವಿಸ್ತೀರ್ಣದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಂಪೌಂಡ್‌ ಗೋಡೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕುಷ್ಟಗಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಳಾಂಗಣ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ 2 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್‌ಕೆಆರ್‌ಡಿಬಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಹುಮನಾಬಾದ್‌ ಪಟ್ಟಣದಲ್ಲಿ 75 ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂ.ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. 200 ಮೀಟರ್‌ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್‌, ಕಾಂಪೌಂಡ್‌ ಗೋಡೆ, ಗಾರ್ಡನ್‌, ಪೆವಿಲಿಯನ್‌ ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಸೌಕರ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಒಳಾಂಗಣ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕೆ 50 ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂ. ಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಭಾಲ್ಕಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಕ್ಕೆ 50 ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂ. ವೆಚ್ಚ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಔರಾದ್‌, ಬಸವಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಬೀದರ್‌ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾದ್ಯಂತ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣಗಳ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಅನುದಾನ ಬೇಕಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಬೀದರ್‌ ಸಹಾಯಕ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರು ಕೋರಿದರು.

Source: https://vijaykarnataka.indiatimes.com/district/bidar/hk-6-district-recommended-for-providing-basic-facilities-for-stadiums/articleshow/67602597.cms

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