Kochi: Kochi will soon become the countrys first heritage city, says Dr Rajan Chembadath, secretary of the newly formed Centre for Studies in Culture and Heritage of Cochin (CSCHC).
 CSCHC is trying to convince UNESCO to declare Kochi as a heritage city, considering its heritage and the unique place it has in history. CSCHC has already developed a wide communication network and working relationship with a number of international heritage conservation organisations in different parts of the world, including the International Centre for Conservation of Cultural Properties of Rome and the Paul Getty Foundation.
The researchers are of the view that any study on the cultural heritage of Kochi should be a holistic one, covering Kodungalloor, Chendamangalam, Kochi and Thripunithura. The present Kochi is a geographical entity created for administrative convenience, which alone will not serve the purpose for historical and heritage sojourns, says Chembadath.
As of now only 22 Indian sites have been notified by UNESCO as world heritage monuments. Kochi has every reason to be included in the list as the first heritage city of India, and we should convince UNESCO about our claim, he says.
The Kochi Municipal Corporations initiative has received support from a large number of heritage conservation organisations and individuals. The corporation is also in touch with CP Ramaswamy Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation director Dr Nandita Krishna, who has also offered to cooperate with the venture. CSCHC will evolve strategies for preserving, conserving and effective management of the cultural heritage of Kochi.
The genesis of the flourishing overseas trade relations of Kochi, according to the available substantial material evidences, goes back to the early years of the Christian era. It started with the establishment of Muciris as the major port town, which had a wide network of trade relations with a number of foreign countries, including Rome.
The documented history also tells us about the discussions in the old Roman Parliament, which centred on allegations that the riches of the Great Roman Empire was drained to Muciris, says Chembadath. According to historical evidence, the urbanisation of the port town of Muciris, which researches believe to have existed somewhere near the converging point of River Periyar and the sea, reached its crescendo during the fourth century.
No other city in the country would probably have the 2,000-year-old cultural heritage that saw the influx of Romans, Arabs, Jews and other South Asian nationals. Later Kochi witnessed the influx of Portuguese, Dutch and English cultures, which are reflected in monuments, some visible and others embedded deep in the bosom of earth. All this survived the test of time, says Chembadath.
CSCHC will strive to bring these reminiscences of history and heritage back to the possession of the corporation or CSCHC, as they are part and parcel of the cultural identity of each citizen of Kochi, he said. By the CSCHCs concept paper, it will take a major initiative to identify heritage properties and possession, which have so far not been listed. CSCHC will also extend support for its conservation and management.
A training centre for local bodies and individuals for finding new methods and developing strategies for preservation, conservation and management of cultural heritage is also in the offing.
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