International team to arrive tomorrow, will come up with plans for restoration and rehabilitation.

The International Centre for the study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), an intergovernmental organisation with headquarters in Rome, would be salvaging the cultural wealth affected by the recent floods in Kerala. The work is expected to start from October 8.

International agencies will have discussions with the government of Kerala and also with Government of India on the rehabilitation and they are likely to involve the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank in their efforts.

Both tangible and intangible form has been affected by the recent flooding and salvaging the cultural wealth affected by flood is specialised and requires resources and expertise.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a voluntary organisation has stepped in immediately to assess the damage and for advice for the first aid. ICOMOS is a prestigious non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology and scientific techniques for conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage across the world.

As chief adviser to the government of Kerala for Museums, Dr. M. Velayudhan Nair has been trying to consolidate help from governmental and non-governmental agencies for immediate relief. Dr. Nair, who is also a trustee and council member of the International Institute of Conservation, held discussions with ICCROM in Italy in the first week of September to convince it to help with a disaster management plan for Kerala.

Kochi, Kerala, 05/09/2018 : Flood-ravaged looms at Chendamangalam Handloom Weavers Co-opertaive Society in Chenamanagalam. The looms have been completely destroyed, rendering them useless. Photo : Thulasi Kakkat.

“I had discussions with Aparna Tandon, the head of the department dealing with disaster management in ICCROM and finalised immediate intervention jointly with ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites),” said Dr. Nair.

The team will be arriving in Kerala on Monday and will be visiting the flood-affected site with ideas of short-term and long-term projects for salvage and also for rehabilitation of people like artisans who are sustaining heritage, both in the tangible and intangible forms, he added.

“As the experts who have handled such problems they have experience in enlisting the help and support of National and International agencies for resources expertise and capacity building.”

“The international agencies will have discussions with Government of Kerala and also with Government of India on rehabilitation and maybe involving UNDP World bank etc in their efforts,”said Dr. Nair who is also Fellow Council Member and Trustee of IIC London and Former Vice President ICCROM Rome.

These agencies have launched a web-based platform (crowdmap) to collect all the first hand information / data related to damages to tangible, intangible, movable and immovable cultural and immovable cultural and natural heritage due to recent floods that hit Kerala.

These floods also have caused huge loss to cultural and natural heritage of Kerala including historic buildings, archaeological sites, vernacular housing, cultural landscapes, museum collections, cultural and religious artefacts and intangible crafts and practices.

Surya Prasant, an independent conservation consultant said that the analysis of this information will help in prioritising emergency interventions to damaged heritage trough evacuation, salvage and stabilisation.

One of the worst-affected places is Aranmula, a heritage village in Pathanamthitta district. It is well known for its rich heritage in the areas of arts, culture, literature, agriculture, traditional practices, temple arts, sculpture, and also for the world-famous metal mirror, popularly known as Aranmula Kannadi.

The know-how to make the mirror is limited only to certain families living in Aranmula, but the floods washed away their workshops, moulds, frames and stock of material as well as finished products.

The palliyodam, or snake boat shaped in the anantha shayanam pose of Lord Vishnu, is another important part of Aranmula’s heritage. There are 52 such boats belonging to 52 villages around Aranmula; they are revered and worshipped by the people. Many of these boats were damaged beyond repair.