Kolkata

Conservation Insights 2020 Lectures

INTACH Conservation Institutes organised the online ‘Conservation Insights 2020’ lecture series from June to December 2020. This publication, a compilation of selected lectures from the ‘Conservation Insights 2020’ series, represents another step towards sharing and dissemination of knowledge. The lectures cover a wide range of issues related to philosophy of conservation, preventive conservation, building conservation and the tools and techniques used in examination and conservation of different materials. The subject matter is an invaluable contribution to the field and useful to practising professionals, researchers and students in the field of heritage management.
This is an open access e-publication.

ICI Lucknow

ICI Kolkata

ICI Delhi

ICI Bhubaneswar

ICI Bangalore

The Wall Paintings Directory of Delhi

‘The wall painting sites of Delhi’ is the first comprehensive documentation of the wall paintings existing in Delhi. It is also the first publication from the self- initiated INTACH project on creation of Directory of wall paintings in India.

The publication includes the inventory of wall painting sites in Delhi along with sections on description of Delhi city, its history, the art of wall painting in Delhi and the causes for their decay. The documentation work for the creation of inventory involved the meticulous process of surveying both urban and rural (remote) areas for wall painting sites. The inventory published provides an all-encompassing guide to necessary background knowledge on the structures or sites with wall paintings, description of wall paintings including the art history and materials and their current condition with relevant text and images. The book concludes with a section featuring issues and best practices of preventive conservation, maintenance and site management.

‘The wall painting sites of Delhi’ is a crucial data resource and will provide generations of interested conservators, art historians, research scholars, directors, policy makers, and students of conservation, art and art history with invaluable information and guidance.

Biodeterioration Of Ethnological Objects

The book provides information on ethnologic artifacts, both organic objects (i.e. silk, wool, bamboo, textiles etc.) and inorganic objects (i.e. beads, glass, pottery, stone, alloys etc.). The bio-deterioration and the process of degradation of such objects, especially organic, as they are more vulnerable than inorganic objects are discussed.

Conservation In The Tropics

This publication is a compilation of papers and discussions on conservation of museum objects according to their geographical zone and climatology. The proceedings include raised during the first Asia-Pacific Conference on Conservation of Cultural property held in New Delhi in February 1972. Case studies from different countries on deterioration due to biological growth and organic binding media are discussed in the conference proceedings.

Manuscripts, Books, Archival And Alike Material In India-Conservation Status And Needs

This report is based on the project launched by INTACH – “Conservation of manuscripts, books, archival and alike material” under the direction of Shri O.P Agrawal. It’s a compilation of information received from various institutions and from surveys and inspections of the various collections. It focuses on the need of awareness of storage of material and preservation more than its conservation and requirement of trained custodians or conservators of such collection.

Lucknow The Historic City

The book focuses on the development of Lucknow city’s unique architecture through ages particularly in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (i.e. Mughal era architecture and Nawabi architecture and the hybrid style with European elements) with reference to its socio-cultural development. A good number of popular as well as lesser known monuments of Lucknow are covered under this study. The book is a result of pressing demands of scholars and visitors, which made the Department of Cultural Affairs of U.P government commission it through INTACH in 1993.

Wall Paintings Of India

The book consists of studies done on problems related to wall paintings of India under the ‘National Project for Wall Paintings’ programme. Under this programme different surveys, scientific studies and conservation of wall paintings (especially lesser known murals) was launched.

Training In Conservation Vol.Ii

This volume provides a glimpse of various workshops and training programmes organized by ICI, since January 1, 2003. In these workshops, ICI experts taught simple techniques of preservation and curative conservation to institutes and general public.

Training In Conservation

The book is a brief account of short term and long term workshops and training programmes organized by INTACH Conservation Institutes, educating the participants on deterioration, conservation and restoration of heritage objects. It also reflects on the need of more practical involvement of participant than theoretical.

Studies In Biodeterioration Of Materials

This publication is a collection of papers/studies presented at the First National Seminar on Bio deterioration, which was held at National Museum Institute, New Delhi for Museology, Art History and Conservation (19-20th April, 2000). INTACH, Indian Conservation Institute, Lucknow and the National Museum organized this seminar.

Restoration Of Indian Art

This publication is a collection of case studies carried out by INTACH Conservation Centre, Lucknow. The selected case studies present the varius technques and processes used in conservation of art objects. The aim is to help museum personnel and others engaged in conservation of art objects.

Removal Plants And Trees From Historic Buildings

This is a monograph providing relevant information on the serious problem of uncontrolled growth of plants/creepers on a historical building. It reflects the magnitude of this problem in India and also provides data from various countries in South East Asia.

Paintings of St. Aloysius Chapel

Indian Conservation Institute undertook the conservation of paintings at St. Aloysius Church in Mangaluru in Karnataka in 1990. This publication includes the documentation and survey reports and restoration process of the paintings. The publication also includes details of the challenges faced by the conservators who worked on the project.

Microbial Deterioration Of Wood

The book provides information on microbial deterioration of wooden cultural heritage. It gives a brief on the detrimental effects of fungi and other micro-organisms on wood and presents a compiled data and published results on the ongoing research in this area.

Microbial Deterioration Of Paintings: A Review

This publication includes literature review on microbial deterioration of paintings, case studies of conservation and other conservation problems. It includes findings of a project undertaken jointly by the National research laboratory for conservation of cultural property (NRLC), INTACH conservation centre and several State Departments of Archaeology. This publication forms a basis for further research in the area of microbial deterioration.

Directory of Musuems In India 2003

This book is the second edition to Directory of Museums in India published by Usha Agrawal in 2000. This edition has a revised list of 657 museums and tries to update the changes in basic information such as name, phone number etc.

Directory Of Museums In India

This directory has a revised and updated list of museums of India with their basic information. The list includes new museums set up recently and those museums under construction. This is an updated publication from the previous publication by Museum Association of India in 1984.

Detrioration of Wooden Objects By Insects

This book gives firsthand information on different insect species that cause major damage to wooden cultural property. It gives description of the various insects, their life cycle and their control, which is of significance to the conservators for preservation of wood. It also includes rare species particularly those found in imported wood.

Conservation of Books, Manuscripts And Paper Documents

This book gives step-by-step instructions in various aspects of conservation of books and manuscripts for practitioners of art conservation as well as custodians of art collections. The entire book is divided into six parts:
1. Writing materials, history, methods of fabrication and their general properties.
2. Principles and methods of preventive conservation.
3. Techniques of conservation treatment.
4. Special situations- conservation of water damaged documents and conservation of trace papers.
5. Case studies.
6. Relevant materials and methods.

Conservation of Wall Paintings In India – Achievements And Problems

This book discusses wall paintings in India, their continuity and importance as a cultural heritage and focuses on the lack of understanding of the present status of conservation of wall painting. The various problems such as lack of policies of ‘reintegration’ in India, inadequate understanding of materials and their properties are discussed. Achievements in wall painting conservation, work at various sites in the country by different institutions, scientific analysis of several wall paintings conducted at different sites and surveys conducted at various sites under auspices of INTACH are also presented.

Conservation Of Indian Art

This publication is a compilation of papers presented at two seminars organized by INTACH Conservation Institutes (ICI) in 2008 and 2009 respectively at Delhi and Lucknow. The case studies discussed are specific to conservation of material heritage in India. The publication is divided into three main parts namely conservation of objects, conservation projects and new advances in conservation.

Conservation Of Building Stones

This book aims at providing basic information on the conservation of stone used in art and architecture throughout India. It examines the type of building stones used in India and their mechanism of deterioration. Further, it explores available conservation techniques to give possible insights into approaches to dealing with stone conservation problems in India.

Bhitti Chitro Ki Janch Aur Sangrakchan

This book aims to educate readers about preservation of Bhitti Chitras or wall paintings and reflects the lack of research and material in this area. The book is divided into two main parts. The first part deals with basic information on wall paintings, materials used, types of deterioration, methods of examination and the techniques of preservation. The second part includes various case studies, observations, process of preservation and results.

YEAR : 2011-2012

Conservation & Restoration of Oil Paintings
Six Oil Paintings on canvas and paper from the Collection of Reserve Bank of India.Mumbai were conserved by INTACH ,Mumbai center.

Conservation of Sculpture
A stone sculpture of “Veer Hanuman’ from a temple was conserved by the center.

De installation of the exhibition of ‘Open Mumbai
Let’s Expand Public Spaces’ mounted by architecture firm P. K. Das & Associates and the Mumbai Waterfronts Centre. It included removal and storage of wall papers from the walls of NGMA Gallery.

YEAR : 2012-2013

Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai
INTACH Art Conservation Lab has completed the Assessment Report and Photographic Documentation of 773 Objects from the display section of F.D. Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai.Objects at Alpaiwalla Museum: Terracotta: Pottery, Stoneware ( Archeological objects), Glazed Ceramics, Stone tablets, Metals, Ivory Objects, Black & White Photographs, Handwritten letters, Manuscripts, Oil Paintings , Water colour paintings, Glass Paintings, Prints, Lithographs, Wooden objects, Wooden Furniture, Textile- Costumes, Etc

The Cruzo Studio, Brabourne Stadium
INTACH Art Conservation Lab has completed the Assessment Report and Photographic Documentation of the works of Artist Antonio Piedade De Cruz at The Cruzo Studio, Brabourne Stadium . The Studio was functional until 1980’s. After his death, the studio remained untouched. The studio had roughly around 399 paintings / sketches and 12 Plaster casts of the sculptures. Intach Art Conservation Lab has been actively participating in the Exhibitions held in Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum for the Installation & De installation along with its documentation.

YEAR 2015-2016

Documentation of Museum Object in JATAN SOFTWARE 2015
The work for JATAN Software for Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in the end of January (29.01.2015) . The Conservation Lab team carried out the Photography and Documentation of each Individual objects. Photography included taking high resolution angles including any detail shots useful for research and analysis. The Documentation section included measuring the dimension and weight of each object and record it manually and digitally. Apart from the hand written register the data was recorded in excel sheets, enumerating the accession number, title, material, and physical dimensions of each objects. Photographs were then segregated in individual folders according to their material and accession numbers. The work continued till the month of December 2015. INTACH conservation lab has photographed and documented 2088 objects from the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum Collection.

Material Heritage Documentation and Mapping

Under Construction

Material Heritage Documentation and Mapping

Object Of The Month

Metal vase- before Metal vase- after

Conservation of Paintings

Easel painting department at INTACH ICI, Delhi handles conservation of many art objects made on different support such as wooden panels, canvas, board etc. A variety of paintings with colour mediums such as oil, acrylic, pigments, poster colours, mix media etc are received in this department for conservation treatments. Some the works restored by our team of conservators are of eminent artist like Raja Ravi Verma, Amrtia Shergill, F.N. Souza, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Bhupen Kakkar ,etc.
Some of the major problems encountered in the paintings are of aging cracks, yellowing of varnish layer, tear and losses, powdering and flaking of colours, blanching, dents and bulges etc.
Services offered
• Preventive measures
• Documentation and examination with Infra red and Ultra violet photography
• Anti fungal and insecticidal treatment
• Mechanical cleaning
• Solvent cleaning
• Consolidation of paint layer and support
• Reinforcement of objects
• Stretching and framing
• Display methods
Oil painting: Before and after conservation

Examination

ICI also aims to strengthen the implementation of the mission and objectives of INTACH across the sub-continent through programmes for training and raising awareness in all aspects of heritage conservation and management.

ICI Centres off er internship opportunities for postgraduates with a degree in art conservation both from India and abroad.

The ICI regularly organizes technical and non-technical training courses and workshops for conservation professionals and collectors. We also organize interactive sessions with art collectors, art gallery owners, school children and rural dwellers. We also welcome prearranged visits by groups.

The main objectives of the ICI capacity building programme are:

• Develop guidelines and promote uniformity and standardisation of conservation practices with institutions in India as well as abroad
• Develop skills through training programmes, workshops, seminars and internships at various centres
• Up-gradation of conservation skills through training and interaction with international institutions
• Promote and undertake documentation of traditional knowledge systems and building craft skills as well as undertake research on materials used in conservation
• Offer special courses on art conservation
• Engaging stakeholders and local communities in capacity development and maintenance of heritage.
Workshops and training programs are specifi cally tailored and run at our laboratories. Some of the workshops and training programs we can deliver include:
• General preventive conservation theory and practice
• Environmental monitoring
• Storage, handling and display techniques for diff erent materials and object types
• Condition reporting and documentation of all material types and objects
• Basic conservation techniques
• Disaster preparedness planning
• Integrated Pest management (IPM)

Scientific Research

ICI has now successfully developed scientific investigation facilities that can enable a better understanding of the art materials, techniques and forms of deterioration. These techniques enable a more scientific and guided approach to conservation treatment. Also, using these techniques, the conservators at ICI are now moving from just treating the objects to creating greater understanding of the materials and techniques of the objects of art.

To begin with, cross-section and stratigraphic analysis of paint samples, dispersions of pigments with polarised microscopy along with flourescence study of pigments is being undertaken and a database is being compiled.

These standard examination methods provide very precise information about the complexity of materials that make up a painting or decorative finish. Tiny samples of paint are taken from discrete and representative areas and mounted in clear resin. Also prepared samples are observed under a binocular microscope at high magnification between 50x and 200x depending on the thickness of the examined layer.

Layers of yellow paint of varying thickness (10x magnification) and blue paint (4x magnification) applied on a wall support

Sample prepration and study under microscope

In spite of a world-class array of analytical instrumentation, Polarizing Light Microscopy (PLM) remains first and most important analytical technique for identifying individual particles through the microscope, even in complex mixtures. The polarizing microscope At ICI with reflected and transmitted darkfield, brightfield, and fluorescence microscopy is especially useful in the study of materials of paintings because with it one can readily identify crystalline materials that may look-alike, which include the majority of pigments. It also simplifies interpretation of the structure of a painting and measurement of the thickness and uniformity of each layer.

Pure vermilion pigment

Vermilion pigment under polarised microscopy

Training and Capacity Building Programme

ICI Centres off er internship opportunities for postgraduates with a degree in art conservation both from India and abroad.

The main objectives of the ICI capacity building programme are:

Develop guidelines and promote uniformity and standardisation of conservation practices with institutions in India as well as abroad
Develop skills through training programmes, workshops, seminars and internships at various centres
Up-gradation of conservation skills through training and interaction with international institutions
Promote and undertake documentation of traditional knowledge systems and building craft skills as well as undertake research on materials used in conservation
Offer special courses on art conservation
Engaging stakeholders and local communities in capacity development and maintenance of heritage.

Workshops and training programs are specifically tailored and run at our laboratories. Some of the workshops and training programs we can deliver include:

General preventive conservation theory and practice
Environmental monitoring
Storage, handling and display techniques for different materials and object types
Condition reporting and documentation of all material types and objects
Basic conservation techniques
Disaster preparedness planning
Integrated Pest management (IPM)

Disaster Management: Flood – hit Srinagar city (J&K)

flood ICI Delhi team visited Srinagar city in 2014 to provide response and assess the condition of artifacts after the city was hit by floods. The collections at various institutions including S.P. S Museum; Dept. of archives Archaeology & Museums; J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages; High Court, J&K; Town Planning Office, Srinagar Development Authority; Amar Singh College; Srinagar Municipal Corporation; and Directorate of Information. The objects included paper records having problems of bio-deterioration, waviness, brittleness, waviness, partial and complete losses of paper.

Conservation of 3-D Objects

Sculpture department at INTACH ICI, Delhi handles conservation of many art objects made of different materials like metals, ceramics, wood, stone, lacquer, ivory, etc.
Some of the major problems encountered in these objects are surface accumulation, cracks, discoloration, losses, powdering and flaking, dismembering and breaking into pieces, dents and bulges, abrasions and scratches, efflorescence, detachment, deformation etc.
Services offered

Preventive measures
Documentation and examination
Anti fungal and insecticidal treatment
Mechanical cleaning
Solvent cleaning
Consolidation of paint layer and support
Reinforcement of objects
Provision of auxiliary support
Display methods

3-d-object-1 3-d-object-2
Laquerwork Buddha statue: Before and after conservation

Conservation of Textiles

Textile department at ICI Delhi handles conservation of many art objects made on different support like silk, cotton, wool, rayon, etc. There is abundance of art on textile such as printed textiles, dyes, embroidery, brocaded textiles, crewel work, zari work, paintings, thangka, appliqué work, etc.
Textile objects are exposed to many problems such as tear and losses, grime and accretions, fading and darkening, stains, yellowing due to acidification, waviness and creases, adhesives and tapes and partial or complete colour losses, etc.
Services we offer

Preventive measures
Documentation and examination
Anti fungal and insecticidal treatment
Mechanical cleaning of the objects
Solvent cleaning in Suction table
Stabilization and reinforcement of objects
Mounting and framing
Display methods

Pre-Independence Silk flag: Before and after conservation

Training and Capacity Building Programme

ICI Centres off er internship opportunities for postgraduates with a degree in art conservation both from India and abroad.

The main objectives of the ICI capacity building programme are:

Develop guidelines and promote uniformity and standardisation of conservation practices with institutions in India as well as abroad
Develop skills through training programmes, workshops, seminars and internships at various centres
Up-gradation of conservation skills through training and interaction with international institutions
Promote and undertake documentation of traditional knowledge systems and building craft skills as well as undertake research on materials used in conservation
Offer special courses on art conservation
Engaging stakeholders and local communities in capacity development and maintenance of heritage.

Workshops and training programs are specifi cally tailored and run at our laboratories. Some of the workshops and training programs we can deliver include:

General preventive conservation theory and practice
Environmental monitoring
Storage, handling and display techniques for diff erent materials and object types
Condition reporting and documentation of all material types and objects
Basic conservation techniques
Disaster preparedness planning
Integrated Pest management (IPM)

Conservation of paper objects

Paper department at INTACH ICI Delhi handles conservation of many art objects made on paper such as prints, ephemera, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, maps and paper-mache. A variety of colour mediums such as water colours, poster colours, oil, acrylic, dyes, pigments etc, have been used by various artists.
Paper objects are exposed to many problems such as tear and losses, grime and accretions, foxing, discolouration, yellowing of paper due to acidification, waviness and creases, unscientific mending with adhesives and tapes and partial or complete colour losses.
Services we offer

Preventive measures
Documentation and examination
Anti fungal and insecticidal treatment
Mechanical cleaning of the objects to remove dust and accretions
Solvent cleaning
De-acidification
Stabilization and reinforcement of fragile objects
Mounting and framing
Display methods

con-paper2 con-paper-1
Paper object: Before and after conservation

Conservation of Paintings

Preventive measures
Documentation and examination with Infra red and Ultra violet photography
Anti fungal and insecticidal treatment
Mechanical cleaning
Solvent cleaning
Consolidation of paint layer and support
Reinforcement of objects
Stretching and framing
Display methods

Oil painting: Before and after conservation

Wall Paintings of India – Documentation, Digitisation, Research and Conservation

Project of Documentation, Digitisation, Research and Conservation of Wall Paintings of India will be carried out By the network of INTACH(HO and CHAPTERS)during 5 years, started Aprill of 2015.
Most of the Wall painting sites are under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India or the State Archaeology Departments, however much more are in various stages of their deterioration due to neglect and lack of awareness. Some wall painting sites have been published by few art historians or writers, but these are the more famous ones. However, there are thousands of sites that are unknown or ignored.
India is very rich in wall paintings, but we don’t have a very clear database of wall paintings and the facilities for their conservation.
India has 29 States and 7 Union Territories, each state has wall paintings and to document them is a lifetime work.Current project is beginning for undertaking this work with the network of INTACH Chapters for an initial period of 5 years in which a few states will be taken at a time. With the mandate of INTACH to preserve nation’s cultural heritage we will set up a world-class facility for Documentation, Conservation, Research and Training in this area at INTACH HO.
This will be a new unit created at ICI having specialized equipment headed by trained wall paintings conservators, which will focus on:

Documentation of Wall Paintings in India (creation of a Directory)
Research on techniques of paintings and materials used in making wall paintings region-wise and historical interpretation (oral and written)
Scientific evaluation of tradional techniques of conservation.
Remedial Conservation of endangered and historically important wall paintings.
Training in conservation of Wall Paintings for professionals
Global Awareness programme for public/ Vedio clipping etc
To establish protocol for documentation of wall painting for INTACH. This will be the first initiative of any Indian organisation.
One full time fellowship (one year) for Phd/M.phil / D.Phil student on documentation of wall painting
Publication

Wall painting conservation projects done:

Examination

Conservators employ a number of examination and imaging techniques to explore the multiple layers of a painting, layers that are both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Some of these approaches require the simple use of unusual lighting angles, while others involve very specialized equipment capable of producing or capturing electromagnetic wavelengths above or below the narrow band of the visible spectrum namely ultraviolet and infra-red light rays.
Examination under UV light
Examination under ultraviolet light is applied to assess the nature and condition of the varnish and restoration layers lying on the surface of the painting. Under this short wavelength light materials fluoresce and phosphoresce depending on their properties. The differences in the age and chemical composition of painting media and surface coatings (varnish layer) can be detected by the difference in fluorescence
exam1 exam2 exam3
Painting (left) under UV right (right) showing different fluorescence. The aged layers are greenish yellow in colour while later additions appear purplish in colour.
Infrared Reflectography
Infrared reflectography involves examination using the longer wavelength infrared radiations where a special infrared camera captures the light reflected off the surface of the painting. As these rays penetrate through the layers of painting, layers of painting otherwise not visible to naked eye such as underdrawings and changes in painting are revealed.

Infrared reflectogram or digitized black-and-white image (left) of a part of painting (right) showing an under drawing of a female face no longer visible in the painting.

Lama Lakhang, Chemday Monastery, Ladakh, J&K

lama-lakhang Chemday Monastery is one of the ancient monasteries related to Buddhist religion and is among those monasteries which still exist. This monastery is supposed to be founded by Stagsang Raschen, the great Lama along with co-operation from Dharma Raja Singey Namgial who acted as a supporter to the Lama for the establishment of this monastery. The monastery is supposed to be founded almost 365 years back by the Lama. The monastery is well settled on the high mountain side ever since its existence in the mid 17th century.

Chemday Monastery is located in the Chemday village which is a part of the Leh district of Ladakh, India and is almost 50 km away from Leh. Moreover the infamous sacred & holy picture of the Padmasambhava is another important attraction since this image is quite big, almost covering one storey of the monastery building. Along with it, there is a range of amazingly eye – catching shrines in the complex of this ancient Monastery. The Chemday Monastery is an astounding and attractive piece of architecture. Since the monastery is more than 350 years old but still majority of its artistic work has been saved and preserved due to continuous actions by Buddhist people. The monastery is a multi storey building. There is a big range of incredibly beautiful shrines in the complex of Chemday Monastery.
From 2013 onwards conservation team from ICI Delhi has been dedicately working on the wall paintings of Lama Lakhang, one of the chambers in the monastery. Initial stages of the work included conservation assessment documentation of these wall paintings that included historic images or records, photography, the condition survey record, and the record of any conservation interventions.

The major problems observed on these paintings were of cracks, detachment, tenting, powdering and cleavage in the plaster layer; Oil stains, soot deposition, flaking, powdering, losses, mud drippings over the paint layer; and previous restoration. Conservation treatments of the following problems have already been initiated from 2013.

Conservation of wall paintings at “Shakyamuni” temple Mangyu, Ladakh, J&K

Art & Material Heritage Division started conservation campaign 2012 for the commencement of the conservation of wall paintings of “Shakyamuni” temple. Decision of starting the work with “Shakyamuni” temple was taken after a meeting held on 26 April and 25 July 2012. Intach authorities from Delhi and Leh chapter, wall painting conservator, Courtauld’s scholars, secretary Likir monastery, members of Mangyu village committee and caretaker monk of the Mangyu monastery were present in the meeting.
The shrine of Sakyamuni is very rich in decorative elements and presents a beautiful example of incorporation of Kashmiri and Tibetan craftsmanship. Embossing of figures to highlight the area, relief work on the eyes of deities, embossed asterisk inside the Mandalas and layer by layer painting style are of high quality. Borders of Mandalas are incised in perfect circle. Incising can also be seen on the face’s outline of many Buddhas. Many Hindu deities like Varuna, Indra, Shiva as Mahakala, Ganesha and celestial deities encircles with imaginary figures of animals are seen in the Avlokiteshwara temple. Painting of two Manjushree’s on the south west wall are beautiful examples of artistic perfectness.
Mangyu is one of the picturesque villages in western part of Ladakh; it can be accessed by road and is about 70-75 kilometers from the Leh city in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mangyu Gompa is situated at a height of about 3500 meters. This region experiences extreme environmental changes in a year. Hence to monitor these variations, data logger was installed from August 2012 to June 2013.

After documentation the initial stage of conservation included careful removal of previous repairs which were unscientifically done. Fragile areas, such as missing portions and loosely bound portions of the wall, experienced the problem of separation or detachment from the wall itself. Hence to protect them from loss, facing or temporary consolidation was given. Grouting was also done to provide strength to the hollow areas behind the original plaster layer. Filling of areas with major losses and cracks were done using suitable material to provide structural strength to nearby areas with losses and also to preserve the aesthetic value of the wall paintings. Cleaning of the wall paintings was done to remove unwanted elements such as dust, dirt and soot deposits over the painting.

Ministry of Culture

http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/

Government of Punjab

http://www.punjab.gov.in/

World Monuments Funds

http://www.wmf.org/

National Institute of Urban Affairs

http://www.niua.org

Ministry of Urban Development

http://moud.gov.in/

Govermant of Jharkhand

http://www.jharkhand.gov.in/

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INTACH Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC), Bangalore

ICKPAC was established, in collaboration with Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, in the latter’s premises, in the year 1993. The Centre was inaugurated by the then Governor of Karnataka, H.E. Khursheed Alam Khan, on 22nd July 1993.

The purpose of establishing this Centre was to cater to the needs of Institutions (both Government and private) as well as individuals of this State, for the conservation and restoration of their art collections. Being the only Centre of its kind in Southern India, we have also served the needs of neighboring states like Tamil Nadu by carrying out important conservation projects there.

Contact person;
Ms. Madhu Rani,
Director

INTACH Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC)
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre
Kumara Krupa Road,
Bangalore- 560 001.
Karnataka State
Phone: +91-80-22250418
Fax: +91-80-22250418
Email: ickpac@gmail.com

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Projects

Conservation of old mural paintings in Thiagaraja Swamy Temple, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.
INTACH Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC), Bangalore, is currently involved in the conservation of 300-year-old mural paintings in Tamil Nadu. These paintings reportedly dating back to the Nayaka period are on the ceiling of the Devasiriya Mandapam, also called the thousand-pillared hall, in the Sri Thiyagarajaswami Temple at Tiruvarur, about 60 kms from Thanjavur. These vibrant paintings depict the legend of Muchkunda Chola ‘the monkey-faced king’, who is said to be responsible in bringing the idol of Lord Thiyagaraja to Tiruvarur. The painted area is about 6500 sq ft (including a painted panel of a later period on the rear wall of the hall depicting the story of Manu Needhi Chola).

Colors (predominantly red, yellow and white, black, and green) used in these paintings are of mineral origin and the ground is lime plaster. Since the support is granite slabs juxtaposed to each other, the major deterioration problems can be attributed to this arrangement. The deterioration problems are loss of pigment due to water seepage from the roof; deposition of soot, dust, dirt, cement splashes due to human interference (place used as a godown, workplace for preparing paper and bamboo decorations for temple festivals, etc); and growth of biodeteriogens. The conservation work undertaken involves cleaning, soot removal, removal of microbial growth, consolidation of both the ground (lime plaster) and pigment layers, reattachment of the loosened plaster and reintegration. All these steps are being done keeping in mind the minimal intervention theory and by adhering to ethical conservation practices.

Preservation of Palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Karnataka State under National Mission for Manuscripts, (NMM) Govt of India, Department of Culture
INTACH ICKPAC has been a nominated Manuscript Conservation Centre (MCC) since 23rd September 2003.

Different repositories of old Palmleaf and Paper manuscripts in the State, including religious institutions like Mutts and educational Centres like Universities are being visited regularly and Preventive conservation of the collections is being carried out. Local staff is trained in Preventive conservation and custodians in the proper maintenance of the collections. Curative conservation of manuscripts is also done whenever necessary. Some of the important Institutions/ Mutts where we have worked are:

Dept. of Post Graduate Kannada Studies and Research, Mangalore. (In January 2006, here other that training the library staff and research scholars, the entire collection was also conserved)
Jnana Bharati, Bangalore University, Centre of Kannada Studies, Bangalore. (In July/August 2006)
Janapadhaloka (Folklore Museum), Ramanagar, Bangalore Rural. (In September 2006)
Maharaja Govt. Sanskrit College, Mysore. (January 2006)
Keladi Museum, Keladi, Shimoga District. (April 2007)
Ramarani Research Centre, Jain Mutta, Moodabidri. Dakshina Kannada District (June 2007)
Shri. Ragavendra Swamy Mutta, Chamarajpet, Bangalore. (July 2007 – Ongoing)
Shri. Murugarajendra Mutta, Chitradurga (From October 2007 to January 2008)

Conservation and Restoration of Canvas Paintings in Senate House, University of Madras
The Senate House of the University of Madras, Chennai, built in the Indo – Saracenic style of architecture is a magnificent edifice situated across the Marina beach. The ceiling of the Great Hall had originally been decorated with 21 Canvas painting panels, each measuring 15.5 ft x 15.5 ft arranged in seven three-tiered rows.

These paintings must have been put in place soon after the completion of the building. Due to the ravages of time and weather in these intervening 130 years, all but three had disappeared. When the renovation project of the Senate House was taken up in 2003, the three existing painted panels were found hanging precariously loose from the ceiling, in a tattered condition.

The conservation and restoration of these canvas paintings in addition to re-creating the 18 missing canvas painting panels was taken up by ICKPAC, Bangalore in order to put them up and to restore the ceiling of the Great Hall to its original glory.

Projects taken up by the Centre

Conservation of mural paintings in Nalaknadu Palace, Coorg, Karnataka (September 2007)
Conservation of large Canvas paintings for the Senate House of University of Madras, Chennai. (April 2006)
National Survey of Manuscripts in Karnataka for NMM (November, 2005)
Conservation and restoration of 11 of Portrait paintings of former Dewans of Mysore for Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore (September, 2005)
Conservation and restoration of 4 Portraits for Cheluvamba Hospital, Mysore (September 2004)
Conservation of 700 Botanical Paintings (water color) for the Horticulture Library, Bangalore (2002)
Conservation of mural paintings in Ramalinga Vilasam Palace, Ramanathapuram, for Departement of Archeology, Tamil Nadu (1998)
Conservation of 40 old bronzes for Departement of Archeology, Karnataka (1996)
Conservation of 35 paintings for Venkatappa Art Gallery Govt. of Karnataka (1996)
Conservation of large panel paintings in Mysore Palace (1995)
Conservation of mural paintings in Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangam, for H. R. & C.E department, Tamil Nadu (1995)
Conservation of mural paintings in Thanjavur Palace, for Dept of Archeology, Tamil Nadu, on the occasion of VIII world Tamil Conference (1994).
Regilding of life size statue of Ranjit Singhji, Jamsaheb of Navanagar and Conservation of a large equestrian bronze statue of first Jamsaheb at Jam Nagar, Gujarat (1994)

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Conservation of old mural paintings in Thiagaraja Swamy Temple, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.
INTACH ICKPAC have conducted workshops and awareness programmes for the public, art community and connoisseurs in the ‘Care and Preservation of Cultural Property’ in Bangalore. As a result of this, we can see a rise in the keen interest in conservation/ restoration.

A lecture series was organized on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary celebrations of ICKPAC- “Aloka” (19th – 24th July 2003) outlining :
(a) Nature of materials,
(b) Manufacturing methods of different media- paper, canvas, inks & pigments, etc.
(c) Agents responsible for deterioration
(d) Preventive conservation methods.
Workshop on Care and Preservation of Library and Archival Materials (26th – 29th August 1996).
‘Workshop on Preservation of Art Objects and Library Materials’ (15th – 18th March 1994).

Many other workshops and training programmes were conducted in different parts of Karnataka, the objective being to impart theoretical knowledge and practical training in the Preventive Conservation of manuscripts to persons working on the collections of the Matter as well as people from surrounding area dealing with manuscripts.
The contents of lectures and demonstrations in these workshops were:

Nature of palm leaf and methods of processing same for writing purpose.
Manufacturing methods of Paper; properties of paper.
Physico-chemical factors causing deterioration of manuscripts – palm leaf as well as paper.
Biological agents causing deterioration of manuscripts.
Preventive Conservation methods
a) Cleaning and maintenance of cleanliness
b) Controlling of temperature and humidity
c) Prevention of fungal and insect attack
d) Proper storage methods
e) Disaster management

The workshops titled “Workshop on Preventive Conservation of Manuscripts” had been conducted in many venues in the past four years.
1) Ramachandrapura Matta – Hosanagar Taluk, Shimoga District (March 2004).
2) Kannada Sahitya Parishath, Pampa Mahakavi road, Chamarajpet, Bangalore (May 2004).
3) National Institute of Prakrit Studies, Shravanabelagola, Hassan District (September 2004).
4) B.M.Shri. Prathistana, N.R. Colony, Bangalore (October 2004).

Besides the workshops and other training activities described above, our conservators have visited some major manuscript collections in universities and other institutions and imparted training in preventive conservation of palm leaf as well as paper manuscripts to the local staff and students, so that they can continue the work even after the departure of our people and maintain the collections in a proper way.

Some of these collections are:

Puthige Matha, Udupi. (In October 2004)
Govindapai Research Centre, Udupi. (In March 2005)
Kannada Study Centre, Karnataka University, Dharwad. (In May 2005)
Dept. of Post Graduate Kannada Studies and Research, Mangalore. (In January 2006, here other that training the library staff and research scholars, the entire collection was also conserved)
Shrimad Veerashaiva Shivayoga Mandira, Badami. (In June 2006)
Jnana Bharati, Bangalore University, Centre of Kannada Studies, Bangalore. (In July/August 2006)
Janapadhaloka (Folklore Museum), Ramanagar, Bangalore Rural. (In September 2006)
Vedeshwara Study Circle, Library, Gokarna, Karnataka. (In November 2006)
The United Theological College, Bangalore. (December 2006)
Maharaja Govt. Sanskrit College, Mysore. (January 2007)
Keladi Museum, Keladi, Shimoga District. (April 2007)
Ramarani Research Centre, Jain Mutta, Moodabidri. Dakshina Kannada District (June 2007)
Shri. Ragavendra Swamy Mutta, Chamarajpet, Bangalore. July 2007 – Ongoing)
Shri. Murugarajendra Mutta, Chitradurga (From October 2007 to January 2008)
Sri. Dhanashala Mutta, Karkala (from January 2008 to February 2008)
Sri. Uttaradhi Mutta, Bangalore. (From February 2008 to March 2008)
Sri. Shripadaraj Mutta, Bangalore (from March 2008 to June 2008)

Other than these institutions with large collections, our conservators along with completing their conservation work have also trained many private collectors across the state.

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Events

National Survey of Manuscripts in Karnataka
Place and Period: All over Karnataka from November 21st to 25th, 2005. (The inauguration was at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore).

A public function was held at Chitrakala Parishath on 19th November 2005, to mark the launching of the Survey by H.E. The Governor of Karnataka, Shri. T.N. Chaturvedi, a renowned Sanskrit Scholar, Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, spoke on the occasion and Smt. Sudha Gopalakrishna, Director, NMM was also present.

The actual survey was between Nov 21st and 25th, 2005. Towards the survey awareness programmes were arranged in all the districts of Karnataka.
Aloka – Exhibition on Art Conservation, displaying photographs of works of art conserved and restored at ICKPAC, Bangalore as well some original works to mark the 10th anniversary of the starting of the centre.

Place and period: Bangalore, from 19th July 2003 to 24th July 2003.
The exhibition presented some of the most outstanding works carried out by ICKPAC in the preceding few years and attracted a very large number of visitors, who appreciated the work very much. The occasion also served as an Awareness programme in the Art Conservation because for many of the visitors, the exhibition served as an eye –opener and provided a chance to learn what was being done in this field.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri N. Dharam Singh, ex- Chief Minister of Karnataka. In addition to Shri. T.P. Issar, former Chief Secretary of Karnataka and Chairman of ICKPAC Advisory Committee, Shri. C.S. Kedar, Secretary, Kannada and Culture, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri. H.K. Kejriwal, Trustee of Chitrakala Parishath (CKP), Shri. Chowta, General Secretary CKP, Shri. S.R.Rao, Eminent Archeologist and other dignitaries graced the occasion. There was an enlightened audience for the inaugural function.
1st Anniversary and Exhibition of Restored Works
Place and period: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore on 21st July 1994.

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Services

All In this period of nearly 16 years that the Centre has been functioning, a large number of paintings of different types including oil paintings on canvas and on bromide-paper, water colours, traditional paintings of the Mysore and Tanjore styles, paintings on glass, miniatures and other art works such as prints from the colonial period to the present; drawings, old bronzes and other metallic objects, wooden sculptures, paper mache articles, leather puppets etc. have been conserved and restored at the Centre both for institutions and individual owners.

In all this time, our Centre has acquired an enviable reputation in the field of art conservation, within the state as well as outside, by virtue of the high standards we maintain and the best publicity has been through word of mouth of completely satisfied clients.

As a result, today we have a steady inflow of enquiries regarding conservation projects in the state and outside and influx of work for art conservation treatment.

Some prominent artists whose works have been treated are:
Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslov Roerich, Prints by the Daniell Brothers, Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Amritha Shergill, Francis Newton Souza, K.K.Hebbar, Debi Prasad Roy Chaudhari, Binod Bihari Mukherji, Jamini Roy, Jatin Das, Sunil Das, Yusuff Arrakal, M.F.Hussain, Swaminathan, K.G.Subramanyam, Adhi Moolum, Vaikuntam, Redappa Naidu, Surendran Nair, Bose Krishnamachari, Jogen Chaudhary, Karnataka Artists like Hanumaiah, M.T.V. Acharya, M.Veerappa, S.N.Swamy, Nagaraju Raju, Subramanya Raju and others.

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Testing 1

Urban Lakes and Wetlands Conservation

Lack of understanding of the lake eco-system is leading to the decline of lakes falling in our urban areas. Lakes bring the joys of nature to urbanites, other than providing recreational and psychological relief, acting as biodiversity habitats as well as groundwater recharge zones. Today, these lakes are highly polluted eyesores, often emitting foul odour, and while vast sums are spent on their beautification the core issue of lake management remains a puzzle to the stakeholders.

Objective

Through this course INTACH seeks to provide the participants an understanding of the lake eco-system, the analysis and diagnosis of problems associated with it and the methods of remediation for maintaining a healthy lake eco-system.

Target Audience

Concerned citizens [who can put informed pressure on decision makers] and play a role as citizen scientists in the management and monitoring of lakes, environmentalists who can take up the cause of these commons at various fora, mid-level urban administrators and urban planners who can integrate the understanding of lakes in their strategic decision making.

Ecological Literacy

Introduction

According to Fritjof Capra, “In the coming decades, the survival of humanity will depend on our ecological literacy – our ability to understand the basic principles of ecology and to live accordingly. This means that eco-literacy must become a critical skill for politicians, business leaders, and professionals in all spheres, and should be the most important part of education at all levels – from primary and secondary schools to colleges, universities, and the continuing education and training of professionals.”

David W. Orr has stated that the goal of ecological literacy is “built on the recognition that the disorder of ecosystems reflects a prior disorder of mind, making it a central concern to those institutions that purport to improve minds. In other words, the ecological crisis is in every way a crisis of education”

Eco-literacy leads to an understanding of the workings of the natural world around us and the manner in which free eco-system services, which sustain the planet, are available to human communities.
Eco-literacy enables citizens to appreciate the sustainability implication of public decisions and the environmental issues involved which are made on their behalf so as to provide informed feedback to decision makers and public representatives
Eco-literacy leads to informed decision making at all levels – be it individual, social group or community, public administrators, institutional and business decision makers

Objective

Through this course, INTACH seeks to equip the public, decision makers and administrators with an ecological perspective, understanding of the interconnected working of eco-systems and the resultant eco-system services, with a view:

to enable members of the general public understand ecological implications of governmental decision making and actions of large institutional and corporate entities, understand the language of experts, enable intelligent participation in public debates, encourage public stewardship of the commons
to enable ecologically informed decisions by public and private entities which enable a balance between development needs with ecological concerns and sustaining free eco-system services from nature.

About ICI Kolkata

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Special Initiative of the Center

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Objective

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Objective