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US embassy to assist cultural preservation
Indo-Asian News Service

Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The US embassy in India Tuesday announced two awards to support ongoing projects for preservation of cultural heritage in eastern India.

The West Bengal chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the East and West Educational Society in Patna are selected for this year's awards from the US Department of State.

"I view this contribution by my government as yet another example of US public and private sector support for historic preservation internationally," US ambassador to India David C. Mulford said in a statement.

"This Fund is symbolic of the strong cultural and educational ties that are being forged to promote mutual understanding between our two nations," he said. 

"These projects addressing preservation needs are very important, and the US is proud to provide direct small grants to assist two Indian entities as they work to help preserve India's unique and rich cultural heritage."

The INTACH will receive $15,000 to develop a preservation plan for the art, architecture and crafts of Bishnupur town in Bankura district of West Bengal.

Bishnupur is renowned for its numerous monuments containing exquisite terracotta work. It is also home to a unique tradition of handicrafts, pottery, and weaving which illustrate Hindu, Islamic, and tribal artistic innovation.

The award of $22,500 to the East and West Educational Society will fund a survey of 25 districts in the state of Bihar to document 15th and 16th century Islamic and Hindu architecture and identify buildings for preservation.

The project also intends to showcase the co-existence of Hindu and Islamic heritage during the medieval period.