Conservation and Restoration of Brick Architecture- Special Reference to Manipur: North-East India

About The Book The present book is an outcome Seminar-cum-Workshop held Kangla Fort, Imphal, Manipur from 22nd April 2005. The topic of discussion was brick built monuments of north-east India with special reference to Manipur. good number of scholars and experts the field attended the Seminar and presented papers. They also took part in the scholars contributed part providing valuable information about land, people, traditions, customs, art, architecture, which projects panorama cultural milieu of Manipur. Senior scholars like Jagatpati K.N. Dikshit, S.S. Biswas, G.C. Chauley and expert conservation engineer/architect such Bhowal, members ICOMOS have valuable contributions. The photo documentation the conservation works during and after) Shree Govindaji Temple enriched the volume further.

Relevant information about ICOMOS, it’s the have enhanced of welcome addition the scholarly work the conservation on a delicate medium like terracotta, that in the moisture affected region on north-east India.

About the Author Dr. S.S. Biswas (b.1938), Former Director General, National Museum, also Vice-Chancellor of the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology (Deemed University) is presently holding the prestigious position of President (INDIA ICOMOS). He is an eminent archaeologist, art historian and museologist of the country. In his various capacities in Archaeological Survey of India, Director, Indian Museum, Kolkata; Director General, National Museum, New Delhi, he has contributed substantially in building up many cultural institutions specially the museums, as also promoting the cause of archaeology and museum profession in India and also in the Asia Pacific region. He has several books and articles to his credit which are valuable with regard to his firsthand knowledge and acquaintance with the art and archaeological artifacts.

He has widely travelled throughout the world, leading several high power delegations and also arranged exhibitions and exchange programmes for bringing the cross cultural identity and co-operation between different nations.

Preface On behalf of the India-ICOMOS I wish to extend sincere thanks to the Government of Manipur specially the Chief Minister for providing us to work together in preserving the heritage of Manipur as also for holding this workshop at Kangla Fort within a very short notice. We shall be indeed privileged to discuss various aspects of heritage conservation problems and their possible remedies specially for those of terracotta buildings. I am aware that experts and specialists assembled here shall deliberate these issues in details in the academic sessions during the next two days, 1, for the present, shall therefore restrict myself to introducing ICOMOS, its activities, some broad aspects of the conservation problems, some general remedies, more in the form of social context rather than the practical conservation measures.

ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is the advisory body for UNESCO on issues concerning the world cultural heritage, in particular the evaluation of monuments and sites that have been placed on the World Heritage List or are under consideration for listing. With more than 6000 members organized in 107 National Committees and 21 International Scientific Committees. ICOMOS is also committed to preservation of our heritage worldwide, wherever monuments, sites or cultural landscapes that are defined by historic buildings are affected. According to the preamble of the Venice Charter (1964), material evidence of our history is at stake: I quote "Imbued with a message from the past, the historic monuments of generations of people remain to the present day as living witnesses of their old traditions. People are becoming more and more conscious of the unity of human values and regard ancient monument as a common heritage. The common responsibility to safeguard them for future generations is recognized. It is our duty to hand them on in the full richness of their authenticity."

In India, the Indian National Committee has accepted to play pivotal role, by providing impetus to the objectives of ICOMOS as a non-governmental organization ICOMOS can identify monuments in danger from a strictly preservation based perspective without political considerations, can bluntly address the absolutely desperate situation facing the historic heritage in many countries of the world, and can detect dangerous trends at an early stage.

**Contents and Sample Pages**