Tech-Based Heritage Interpretation for the Marginalised Communities

Served keynote speaker at the 5-day training course on "Heritage and its Dimensions," organised by Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, SOE, Gautam Buddha University in collaboration with CSIR-CBRI Roorkee.

In my session, I cast a critical lens upon the heritage paradigm, delving deep into its nuances, especially exploring how an alternate platform can serve as a counter-narrative to mainstream heritage interpretations, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional discourses.

Central to the discussion was the issue of marginalization. Heritage is often subjected to a hegemonic narrative, where dominant groups dictate what is preserved, celebrated, and remembered. This hegemony often sidelines communities, their stories, and their claims to spaces and histories. By only presenting a singular, often sanitized version of the past, we inadvertently silence a myriad of voices and experiences.

The emphasis on varied narratives and storylines in the session resonated with this critique. It is not about presenting alternative 'histories', but recognizing the multiplicity and vibrancy of heritage itself. By acknowledging and incorporating these myriad narratives—the mosaic of experiences, memories, and identities—we move closer to a more inclusive, democratic, and holistic understanding of heritage. The motif of this session was also to dismantle the prevailing dominant discourses, to make room for subaltern narratives by incorporating an alternate dialogical model and to reimagine heritage in its broadest, most inclusive form.