Many groups and organizations in coastal Karnataka emphasize the importance of heritage walks for conservation. Subash Basu, convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Mangaluru, has led numerous heritage walks through Mangaluru’s streets and historical sites, advocating that such walks raise awareness. “Heritage walks foster discussions and spread awareness. We also engage in sketching, which involves people differently than photography. Participants learn about and engage with a place, leading to conservation and cleanliness efforts,” Basu explains.
Heritage walks encourage people to view sites from different perspectives, shifting from passive observation to active appreciation and protection of heritage. While tourism often highlights food and popular attractions, heritage walks uncover the deeper layers of local culture. Basu emphasizes the importance of involving school children to prevent cultural compartmentalization.
In collaboration with Bhavana Foundation, Bahaasa Gallery and Studio launched the ‘Ancestral Affair’ initiative two years ago. This program gathers around 50 individuals, including architecture students and artists, to document and preserve cultural heritage through sketches and personal narratives. Artist Janardhan Havanje and architect Shravya Hegde, curators of the initiative, aim to develop a deeper understanding of historical places from both historical and local perspectives. These excursions often include bird watching and sketching series, building a community of enthusiasts and conservationists. Recently, they documented the Perdoor region, focusing on parts of the old city threatened by highway expansion. The initiative has grown over the past two years, attracting more participants and raising awareness about preserving historical sites.