Experts highlight role of films, art in preserving state’s heritage
A state-level discussion on “Unveiling Tangible and Intangible Heritage through Films, Documentaries, and Art: Exploring Punjab’s Cultural Heritage and Interfaith Narratives” was held in the city today, bringing together experts, historians and artistes from across the state to deliberate on the role of visual storytelling in heritage preservation.
The event, organized by INTACH Punjab, aimed to explore innovative ways to document and promote Punjab’s cultural legacy, emphasising the need for greater representation of the region’s history, traditions and interfaith narratives.
Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd), state convener, INTACH, highlighted the urgent need to preserve Punjab’s heritage, which includes historical monuments, religious sites, traditional crafts, folk music and oral histories. He pointed out that despite Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, much of it remains underrepresented in the mainstream media.
He said films and documentaries offer a powerful means to capture and convey these elements to a wider audience, ensuring that fading traditions and stories are not lost to time.
Lt Gen Amrik Bahia (retd) emphasised the need to preserve Punjab’s military heritage through films and historical documentation. He pointed out that the state’s military legacy, spanning centuries, remains an integral part of its cultural identity.
Vikram Ditya Sharma, INTACH member, discussed the importance of integrating Ferozepur into the mainstream tourism circuit, suggesting that documentaries and heritage-based storytelling could help highlight its historical significance.
Rajni, INTACH member and Heritage Club Incharge at APJ College, spoke on the revival of vanishing cultural traditions, stressing that films and art projects can play a crucial role in keeping these practices alive.
Manish Ahuja, a wetland and bird conservation enthusiast from Ferozepur, emphasized the role of visual storytelling in creating awareness about Punjab’s natural heritage. He highlighted the threats to wetlands and the need for films and documentaries to showcase their ecological and cultural significance.
Prof Balwinder Singh from Guru Nanak Dev University elaborated on tangible heritage conservation, advocating for detailed documentation of Punjab’s historic structures and traditions.
Seema Chopra, a media professional spoke on the importance of conservation through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, stressing that collaborative efforts in media and arts could enhance awareness and engagement in heritage preservation.
A key highlight of the discussion was the proposed collaboration between Sikhlens India and INTACH Punjab to enhance representation of Punjab’s heritage through films and storytelling. "The initiative aims to produce documentaries and artistic projects that delve into Punjab’s historical and cultural evolution, focusing on lesser-known aspects of its heritage", said Maj Gen Balwinder Singh.
Experts stressed that integrating heritage-based media projects into educational curriculum and promoting digital storytelling would play a crucial role in engaging the youth and ensuring continued interest in cultural preservation.
The event concluded with a call for greater investment in heritage-focused media projects, urging cultural organizations and the government to support filmmakers, artists and historians in their efforts to document Punjab’s legacy.
Participants emphasized that Punjab’s cultural heritage is not just a connection to the past but a foundation for future tourism, education and cultural sustainability. They underscored the importance of strengthening visual storytelling and artistic representation to ensure that Punjab’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.
