Bara Sardar Bari: a case of <i>lime-surkhi</i> craft revival

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the revival of the languishing craft of lime- surkhi in the restoration project of Bara Sardar Bari, Sonargaon, Bangladesh. It critically explores the interrelationship between the craft, the system of master-apprenticeship and an innovative restoration model in a case of formal heritage management. Design/methodology/approach This paper assesses the existing state of the craft of lime - surkhi and takes a case study approach to demonstrate the revival of the craft. The study uses Bara Sardar Bari, a Mughal mansion, as a case study, as it displays some of the finest surviving examples of the lime - surkhi work. Using key informant interviews and focus group discussions as research tools, the study explores the challenges that the craft and craftsman face and how the restoration project can be a model for a sustainable future for the craft. The paper also suggests that collaboration between conservation experts and craftsmen has the potential of reviving and expanding the dying crafts. Findings The results show that as the master-apprentice system is discontinued, collaborative research and innovation between conservation experts and craftsmen with other external support can fill the void and work as stimuli for craft revival. The study demonstrates that through craft revival, the original value of heritage can be revived. Originality/value No similar prior studies were carried out in Sonargaon that focused on this subject. There are very few studies available on the craft of lime- surkhi in the region. This paper can contribute to new policy formation in relation to craft revival not only for Bangladesh but also potentially guide other cities that face similar challenges of declining craft and craftsmen. The study recommends how the craft can be revived through collaboration and capacity building to facilitate the survival of the craft with a three-step process: identifying the rare craftsmen, providing them with due recognition and transferring the traditional knowledge by attracting the next generation.