Temple conservation is the preserve of artisans more than artists, yet without it many ancient art forms would be lost, destroyed forever by pollution and plunderers.
The desire to conserve temples is as old as the original structures themselves. Ancient masons constructed stone edifices in honor of rulers and religion, such as the Egyptian pyramids, intending they should last forever. And one way to help ensure the longevity of temples was to make sure there were plenty of skilled artisans to look after them.
Temples are often found to be the most important buildings in the ancient and modern world. Rising steeply from their earthly foundations these vast structures are epitomised by features such as detailed carving inside and out, spectacular murals, and ornate statues.
Today’s restorers have had to learn their trade by learning about historical construction methods. From training in wooden structure survey techniques and conservation/restoration philosophy, and applying techniques that have been handed down through generations of restorers – notably those working to restore churches, mosques, and temples that are still used as places for worship – the skill lives on.
Conservation efforts often depend on the participation of teams of volunteers. Every year residents of the city of Djenne, the oldest known city in sub-saharan Africa for example, come together to help re-plaster the walls of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Great Mosque that dominates the region. It is a festival of conservation that allows everyone to feel a sense of ownership for one of the world’s architectural wonders.
As well as preserving the memory and art of earlier generations, temple conservationists, and in particular temple restorers, are making significant contributions to economies that feed off tourists attracted by the restored visuals of ancient buildings. There is almost universal agreement that conservation needs to take place, although the manner in which it is carried out has been the subject of heated debate.
The principles underpinning Western conservation methods prohibit, according to respected Indian architect Professor A G Krishna Menon, “any form of replication of lost architectural elements.” Menon questions whether restoring temples is really the best way in which to honor and preserve the architectural triumphs of the past. He suggests that instead of preserving the buildings, efforts should be made and money invested in preserving the skills that built them, a process that should involve local communities with a vested interest and the historical connections to the monuments. “The distinction between conserving the monument and conserving the skills that built them must be polemicized into a critical culture of conservation wherever traditional practices still survive,” he says.
With the costs of temple conservation unavoidably high, Menon’s suggestion that artisans with cultural and professional experience work to educate those within local communities who wish to be part of the conservation process, appears timely and cost effective.
For Menon, temple conservation is uniquely capable of bringing the skills of the past into the present and beyond.
