%A Jigyasu Niyati
%T Examining the impact of urban transformations on traditional crafts and skills: Case of Amritsar’s historic core
%X Investing in the intangible heritage reflected in the oral traditions, social practices, rituals,
festivals, and skills to produce traditional crafts contribute towards social and economic wellbeing of the
communities and improvement in their overall quality of life. In the context of urbanization that is often
uncontrolled, the historic areas undergo transformations that include destruction of built heritage as well
as loss of social structure and traditional economic organization. While there is focus on the physical
fabric, the present urban conservation processes in India place relatively lesser emphasis on retaining the
communities who are the main casualty of these changes and whose sustainability often rests on
traditional skill based livelihoods.
The historic area of Amritsar is an urban ensemble anchored around Sri Harmandir Sahib; the holiest
shrine of Sikhs. The layout of the historic core and its built fabric, social organisation of the
neighbourhoods, festivals and rituals, and various traditional crafts such as Phulkari, Jutti, metal work
such as Thatera, Sikligar, Judau, Pottery, Terracotta, Durrie, Galeecha, Woolen Handloom and
Accessories such as Paranda are rooted in the distinctive culture and milieu of the region.
Preliminary studies of the area show neglect of the built heritage, changing socio-cultural dynamics and
vanishing traditional crafts and livelihoods. At times, only selective crafts having tourism potential get
more prominence unlike those that are more intimately connected to various sections of the community.
Though one can see some market demand of Phulkari embroidery owing to its popularity among tourists,
lesser known craft traditions like utensil making by Thateras, weaponry by Sikligars, Durrie and Galeecha
making, Nada making are declining.
The paper critically analyses the impact of the physical, social and economic transformation processes in
the historic urban area of Amritsar on the community based crafts that have long contributed to their
sustainability. Methodology of study would include analysis of empirical data on communities and their
crafts at neighbourhood level, collected through semi structured interviews as well as participatory
observations. Based on the research findings, various strategies for sustainable regeneration of historic
urban areas will be suggested.
%C New Delhi, India
%D 2018
%K Community
%K sustainability
%K urban transformation
%K social structure
%K traditional economic organisation
%K destruction
%K conservation
%K India
%L icomos1970