Reviving the traditional practices of settlement : perfume park at Thathiya, Kannauj

Abstract

Practices that have been sustained by people of a certain region known to be its tradition or culture. They are the values or knowledge system associated with them and forms an integral part of their life. They matures through an individual’s living habits and modifies them to certain extent. They exist as a community, which is identifiable through their traditional knowledge systems. These settlements have remotely emerged individually and specifically indigenous to their traditional knowledge system and imparts a vernacular characteristic to their lifestyle which varies according to their living, spatial, and habitual organisations particularly. And, in this era which is focused on the rat race of development, both national and global, such evolved knowledge system practices get the least limelight on their existence amongst the noticeable mechanically progressing world. Identification of such unique knowledge system; analytical study of their habitual, spatial and social organisation; formation of a community level program for preservation and escalation of the particular knowledge system. Attra or perfume making is one of the unique practices in various parts of the world. Kannauj is one of such regions specialised and known for its attra making all over world. It has acted as a source for attra since ages. Attra making is the traditional practice of the people. This legacy of the city is still followed and continued. And, there is a need to identify the intangible heritage character of the city and needed steps to preserve its identity. Despite, state patronage and being an eco-friendly alternative to the billion-dollar perfume and fragrance industry, attar remains side-lined in India and world. The purpose of the present thesis is to preserve the traditional art of attar making, and boosting the local cultural economy. The project covers the development of the communal platform, managed and used by the people associated with the attar industry, where there is the possible interaction visitors, workers, process and benefits, and to experience the smell to get its overall impact. Fragrance museum, manufacturing workshop, cultivation of raw material and the market of ittar is developed, along with proposal of research and learning centre