‘All is relative here, Art and Beauty also, and our view of things and our appreciation of them depends on the consciousness which views and appreciates.’

Sri Aurobindo, (CWSA Vol. 27: Letters on Poetry and Art, 5 October 1934)

On the occasion of Pondicherry Heritage Festival-2023, a program for Creative Expression Competitions for School & College Students in the field of Fine Arts and Literary at Alliance Française de Pondichéry on 7th February 2023. As part of the festive celebration, Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society spoke about the vision of  Sri Aurobindo and the Mother of Art and literary expressions. 

He spoke about the two-fold nature of cultural heritage, including tangible and intangible. Tangible heritage can be stored and physically touched including landscapes, artifacts, monuments and objects significant to the archaeology, architecture, science, and technology of a specific culture.

Speaking on the occasion, he talked about the importance of Intangible cultural heritage, which includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive celebrations, knowledge, and practices. He further spoke on the diversity of cultural expressions and the role of intangible cultural heritage in the face of growing globalization.

He further emphasized the characteristics including inclusive, community-based, and sustainable measures for the preservation of heritage.

Based on an interactive session, the students were taught about the literary and Fine Art traditions of India and the need to explore the inner spirit, aesthetic awareness, cultural exposure, creativity, improved emotional expressions, and appreciation of diversity.

Students from different schools and colleges shared their creative ideas on different aspects of Fine arts and literary expression and further participated in the events organized under Pondicherry Heritage Festival.