PUNE :

Pune, India - Aug. 10, 2022: Aga Khan Palace seen lit with tri colour ahead of 75th Independence day as they celeberate Azad ki Amrut Mahotsav in Pune, India, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. (Photo by Shankar Narayan/HT PHOTO)

On August 15 this year, the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI’s) Mumbai Circle, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA); Regional Centre, Vadodara; and Gandhi National Memorial Society (GNMS) will organise Independence Day celebrations at the historic Aga Khan Palace in Pune to honour India’s freedom, heritage and classical music.

Based on the theme, ‘Celebrating India’s freedom through heritage and classical music”, the programme aims to celebrate the inextricable bond between India’s freedom movement, its rich cultural heritage, and its timeless artistic traditions; according to a statement released by the ASI.

On this occasion, the ASI’s Mumbai Circle will also showcase its ‘digital heritage audio guide’, an innovative visitor interpretation programme developed to enhance public engagement with protected monuments. The mobile-based audio guide enables visitors to undertake self-guided tours using authenticated interpretative content available in English, Hindi, and Marathi. It features location-based content-triggering, allowing visitors to receive information related to specific architectural features as they move through the monuments. The platform also offers offline accessibility, ensuring an uninterrupted visitor experience even in areas with limited internet connectivity.

As part of ASI’s Mumbai Circle’s continuing commitment to inclusive heritage interpretation, the initiative also includes sign language video guides developed under the ‘Heritage for all’ programme, making select monuments more accessible to visitors with hearing impairments. The ‘digital heritage audio guide’ is part of the ASI’s Mumbai Circle’s broader vision to integrate digital technology with heritage conservation, interpretation and public outreach. The initiative seeks to make India’s cultural heritage more accessible, engaging, and meaningful while encouraging visitors to develop a deeper understanding of the historical, architectural, and artistic significance of the nation’s protected monuments.

The celebrations are expected to witness participation from heritage professionals, academics, cultural enthusiasts, students, government officials, and members of the general public; reaffirming the shared responsibility of preserving and celebrating India’s rich cultural legacy for future generations. They will be kicked-off with a national flag hoisting ceremony, followed by a series of cultural events reflecting the spirit of India’s independence and cultural legacy. Among the highlights of the programme is a Hindustani classical vocal recital by pandit Bhuvanesh Komkali showcasing the richness of India’s classical music tradition against the backdrop of one of the country’s most significant monuments associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian freedom struggle.