CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED & LIVING HERITAGES AND PRACTICES IN AGRA-BRIJ REGION

Agra ‘The City of Taj’ and its surroundings have an unique image of rich historical, cultural and archaeological assets with various un-plucked layers of living heritages that Agra in Brij region could offer along with the opportunity to showcase, promote & vote Agra legacy to gain the status of a UNESCO Heritage City by safeguarding the Agra’s tangible and intangible socio-cultural, ecological heritage. Despite the facts that the TAJ attracts large number of visitors to the region, the deep understanding of the people and the way of life, their culture, traditions, beliefs, social structure and practices discovers and explores the alternative trends in Agra tourism which offer some of antiquities, artifacts and various art forms of heritages are now in danger by adaptation of new way of amenity life. There is much historical evidence that Agra-Brij was the birthplace of various tangible & intangible heritages, art forms & practices (e.g. Sangeetaur Gayan: Bhagat Gayanshaili, Haveli Sangeet, Dhrupad, Agra Gharana, Bhagat Natika, Nritya (Raas or Raasleela), Kathak, Agra Bazaar, Urdu & Brij poetry. Manuscripts, Handloom, Hastshilpkala: Pottery & Clay work, Leather craft, Sculptures, Dona-pattal making, Inlay work, zardozi, pitradura, Wooden stick & Paper-mud Baskets, Sanjhi Art, Carpet & cotton Darries making by using natural vegetable dyes, Awagamankesaadhan: Ikka, Tonga, Baghi, Camel & elephant ride, Mughlai and Traditional Rural Ethnic Khanpaan etc.) and its way of living influence by Mughals, British, Rural, Brij and its multi fold religious cultures. This motivates us to conserve & promote the endangered (Practices at risk) & living heritages for future generations and to strengthen the city’s original identity.