Mountains, Media, Materiality
The Lived and Imagined Cultures of the Western Himalayas
Why do mountains matter? How do mountains matter? Why and how do dwellers, travellers, writers and artistes of different kinds come to express their understanding of highlands through particular expressions of style and content? What ideas of landscape, aesthetics, connectedness and culture do these understandings convey?
Duration: 3 Days | Starting Date: To Be Announced
Relationship between landscape and culture
Relationship between identity and imagination related to mountain cultures
Treating mountains as both natural and cultural entities
What You Will Learn
In this course, students will delve into the rich tapestry of landscape, culture, custom, and architecture. We will explore the intricate interplay between these elements and the lived experiences that span from historical eras to the present day. By immersing yourself in this course, you will gain insight into the ways in which memories serve as catalysts for conceptualizing landscapes and constructed spaces, thereby shaping the connection between the past and the present. Through this journey, students will comprehend how memories become conduits for transmitting the cultural narratives that underpin societies.
The curriculum will empower students to navigate the intricate threads that weave together landscapes, cultures, customs, and architectural marvels. By fusing historical context with contemporary perspectives, you will unravel the complex relationship between these components and the tangible experiences that have endured through time. By recognizing the pivotal role of memories, students will gain a deeper appreciation for how these recollections serve as agents of continuity, effectively passing down cultural heritage that informs the narrative of civilizations.
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Sonali Gupta
Sonali Gupta, LL.B., Ph.D. (UCLA) specializes in archaeology and has worked for nearly a decade in Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. She is an anthropological archaeologist and has led the first international field school in India under her project “Myth and Reality in the Himalayas.”
Sonali has taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, the National Museum in New Delhi, and her Institute of which she is the Founding Director, The Himalayan Institute of Cultural & Heritage Studies Foundation (HICHS), situated in Dhami in Rural Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Her core area of research is cultural transmission of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. She has various projects in collaboration with Flinders University, Institute of Field Research, University of Delhi, and the Archaeological Survey of India.