Heritage Management Students Explore the Indigenous Knowledge Systems of Tejgadh

Experiential learning through field immersion comprises an integral part of the learning pedagogy at Ahmedabad University. This is demonstrated across all the programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also allows students to interact with the local community and spaces to understand their heritage and cultural values.

One such trip was organised to Tejgadh, a village in Gujarat's Chhota Udaipur district, for the students of the Masters in Heritage Management as a part of their course, Indigenous Knowledge Systems Management. The Indigenous Knowledge Systems Management course takes place in a community setting where the students and faculty engage with communities and communities-based organisations to learn the nuances of indigenous knowledge, the idea of indigenous knowledge as heritage, and how they are continued while contributing to the sustainable development of the communities. The communities and organisations serve as the resource persons from whom this course derives much of learning in heritage management. 

The students were hosted at the Adivasi Academy of Tejgadh, established by the Bhasha Research and Publication Centre of Vadodara. It allowed them to immerse in the institution's everyday life as the academy was the focus of their exploration on language as a vehicle for cultural heritage management. The academy's efforts in documenting and promoting language and associated cultural heritage, reviving pride in one's language at an early age, and empowering tribal communities on various aspects inspired the students. The stay at the academy provided an experiential opportunity to learn contemporary architectural development based on local contexts.

This campus exploration helped them understand the concept of nature blending with the built environment. In addition, they were exposed to the process of preservation of digitally preserving indigenous and diverse languages. They also interacted with local students from the tribal communities, learning about the management and self-governance systems prevalent in tribal schools based on 'Bal Panchayat' (Children's Parliament). 

The students participated in craft workshops like weaving and Koraj craft, including making hand-made paper from agricultural waste for environmental sustainability. While exploring Tejgadh's natural and rural landscape, they got a glimpse of ancient rock paintings, mud-based architecture, and Pithora paintings, all of which showcase tribal folk art.

The programme concluded with an interaction session with Professor Neel Kamal Chapagain of Ahmedabad University and Dr Madan Meena, an Indian artist and Director of the Adivasi Academy.