History, art lovers to launch 'Nashik Heritage' tomorrow on Friday

Nashik: Historians, linguists, photographers and artists are coming together to highlight Nashik's culture, history and art with 'Nashik Heritage', which will be officially launched on Saturday.
In a bid to recognise Nashik as more than just a pilgrimage spot, the people associated with the innovative project told TOI about the concept.
"Even if the city is famous for its natural beauty, historical and cultural associations, Nashik mostly means Ramkund, Trimbakeshwar and Tapowan for outsiders.Even native Nashikites show only these three four spots to guests. Through 'Nashik Heritage,' we are planning to show different faces of the city to natives so that they are aware of its greatness," said Prof Ramnath Rawal, an expert on ancient scriptures and president of Dnyandurg History Research Organisation.
Along with Rawal, Durga Samwardhan Sanstha's Sachin Chavan, noted historian Girish Takle and head of the history department at KTHM College Dr Snehal Sonawane would be in the guiding panel. The project will be a year-long activity which will include visits to the heritage centres, tours around the city and interactive sessions with artists and cultural ambassadors of the city. Experts have already shortlisted locations for the first year.
"We are planning to organize multifaceted activities like heritage walks, talks and interactions with people who have given a cultural and artistic identity to Nashik. Initially, we want only 150-200 members though, we have already got more than 150 enquiries," Prof Rawal said.
As part of the heritage talk, veteran artistes of different fields who have earned national and international acclaim for Nashik will share their experiences. The interactive sessions will be held once a month and activities would be free for all.
Nashik Heritage will be officially launched at 5.30pm on Saturday at a function in Paluskar Hall, Panchwati. The founder members will interact with people and historian Girish Takle will deliver a lecture.
Nashik which is famous worldwide for being one of the four sites of Kumbh Mela, has a lot more than being a pilgrimage spot. With an aim to highlight historical, cultural and artistic importance of Nashik on national level, historians, linguistics, photographers, artists and die-hard Nashik lovers have decided to launch a new outfit 'Nashik Heritage'. While the official launch of this forum is scheduled on July 23, the people associated with the innovative project told TOI about the concept in details.
"Even if being very famous for its natural beauty, historical and cultural associations, Nashik mostly means Ramkund, Trimbakeshwar, and Tapowan for outsiders. Even native Nashikites show only these three four spots to their guests. Through 'Nashik Heritage,' we are planning to show different faces of Nashik to natives so that they could be aware of the greatness of this city," said Prof Ramnath Rawal, president of Dnyandurg History Research Organisation and expert of ancient scriptures. Along with Rawal, Durga Samwardhan Sanstha's Sachin Chavan, noted historian Girish Takle, and Head of History department of KTHM College Dr Snehal Sonawane would be in the guiding panel for Nashik Heritage project. It is going to be a year-long activity which will include visits to heritage centres, tours around Nashik, and interactive sessions with artists and cultural ambessedors of the city. Experts have already shortlisted nearby locations for first year.
"We are planning to organize multifaceted activities like heritage walks, heritage talks and interactions with people who have given identity as cultural and artistic city to Nashik. Initially, we want only 150-200 members. Interestingly, we have already got more than 150 enquiries," Prof Rawal said. As part of Heritage Talk, veteran artists in different fields who have earned national and international acclaim for Nashik will share their experiences with people. The interactive sessions will be planned once in a month. All activities would be free for all.
Nashik Heritage will be official launched at 5.30 pm on July 23 in a function to be held at Paluskar Hall in Panchwati. Founder members will interact with people followed by a lecture by Historial Girish Takle. The entire project is open for all Nashikite for free.