Interview with Elena Werner, trustee of The Deccan Heritage Foundation

1. It would be wonderful to learn a little about how the foundation was set up.

   In 2011, architectural historians George Michell and Helen Philon founded the Deccan Heritage Foundation, with Stephane Bloch Saloz as co-founder. We are a nonprofit organisation chartered in the U.K., India, and the US, whose mission is to restore, maintain and inform the public about the Deccan’s built heritage. Our presence in all three countries allows us to build expertise, membership, and support both locally and internationally, while affording convenient options for those wishing to support our work.

Photo credit @ John Gollings.jpg

2. May I ask what it was specifically about the Deccan region, and for those who might not know, how far does the area you look after extend to?

The Deccan Plateau stretches across an enormous area that covers Maharashtra in the North, Karnataka in the South, Goa in the West, and Andhra Pradesh in the East. It has a complex and vibrant history that melds diverse architectural traditions emanating from both the North and South. The region includes 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as many other great examples of monumental palaces, forts and religious sites. Finally, the natural beauty of the Western Ghats (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the surreal, boulder-strewn landscape area around Hampi cannot be overstated.

Despite this, the region has often been under-appreciated compared to other better-known parts of India, such as Rajasthan and the Mughal North. The DHF aims to educate travellers on the architectural treasures of the Deccan via our 14 guidebooks dedicated to the region, as well as through lectures and webinars by noted scholars and writers such as William Dalrymple, Manu S. Pillai and others.

3. It looks like the foundation has been very successful in restoring several wonderful projectswithin the Deccan region. What have been some of the most interesting treasures that have been discovered along the way?

Yes, we often discover hidden architectural elements during restoration. For example, when we restored the Gagan Mahal, a Vijayanagara period pavilion near Hampi, we uncovered a large wall painting of an elephant hidden beneath several layers of lime coating, as well as a previously unknown staircase leading up to the tower. In excavating the basement to the original ground level, we learned that the Gagan Mahal might once have been an elaborate gateway into an important district of the settlement.

4. Do you have a personal favourite restoration project?

I am personally very interested in the restoration of heritage water management systems, so I am fond of our Karez restoration project in Bidar which has restored the clean water supply and practically eliminated plastic waste in a community of 650 households.

But I am also looking forward to what we can do next. My favourite project is the next one, and I would like us to restore some of the historic stepwells in Hyderabad on the campus of Osmania University. The revival of these heritage water systems is very important in the context of heightened water scarcity and increased need for resource conservation. Once restored, they will not only meet the modern-day water needs of the University, but they would also recharge the groundwater. To learn more about this project and support our efforts, see https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/restoration-projects/stepwells-at-osmania-university-restoration-ofon the campus of Osmania -three-heritage-water-systems/

5. How have you seen the local communities respond to the renovations?

The response has been very positive. This is partly because our vision of heritage conservation is to ensure that our projects promote community participation and create a sense of custodianship towards the monument. The Qanat/Karez project in Bidar is a case in point.

After restoring and rehabilitating this ancient 15th century irrigation system – a qanat or karez – the DHF collaborated with Saahas NGO to develop a solid waste management program. This helps prevent the disposal and accumulation of waste in the karez wells, tunnel and street corners and has also created job opportunities for the local community. A local entrepreneurial group has stepped forward to continue the waste collection and disposal, and this project has now become self-sustaining.

Photo credit @ Surendra Kumar

6. What is a current project that is under way?

I am proud to say that we have just entered into an agreement with the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) and the University of Mysore for the restoration of the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and its Folklore Museum. With cornerstone support from HBSF and a generous grant from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the DHF will focus on restoring this historic Mysore mansion, which dates to 1901, and conserving its important collection of ethnographic artefacts. This is an important multi-year project, involving conservation architects, ethnographers, object conservators, curators, museum experts, and the community. We could not be more excited to be a part of it!

Photo credit @ Surendra Kumar

7. Since you know the area well, what would be your suggested itinerary to really see the main highlights of the region in your opinion?

I would highly recommend the Two-week Heritage Tour of the Deccan itinerary on our website, which covers the main highlights: Hyderabad, Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Badami and Hampi; it can be seen at https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/itineraries/two-week-heritage-tour-of-the-deccan/

For those with more limited time, I would suggest the One-Week Tour of Badami and Hampi at https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/itineraries/one-week-tour-of-badami-and-hampi/

8. If our clients would like to learn more and get involved, especially when they are travelling to the region, what would you suggest?

For starters, I would suggest they get some of our practical, well-researched guidebooks, written by experts and replete with original maps, plans and photographs. For example, our Hampi guide is unique in that it was written by experts who spent 20 years studying and researching the site. The itineraries provided enable visitors to optimize their time and cover the major highlights of this enormous site in 2 to 3 days.

In addition, if your clients want to keep abreast of our projects and events, I recommend they subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/news-and-updates/

9. How can they purchase one of your lovely guides, that would most certainly enhance their tour to the region?

Our guidebooks are available in both paperback and digital format for instant download from the DHF Bookstore at https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/dhf-bookstore/

Those clients interested in shopping only for digital guidebooks can go directly to https://dhf-bookstore.sellfy.store/

10. Can anyone support the foundation, and if so, what is the best way?

Yes, anyone who wishes to support our efforts can go to https://www.deccan-heritage-foundation.org/membership-and-support/ and make a donation. We welcome your support at any level!