The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and the Delhi based Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which steps will be taken to promote and protect the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan region and also the Ladakhi traditional Thangka and fresco paintings.

The MoU has been signed by Prof Geshe Konchok Wangdu, director CIBS and Achal Pandya, Head of the Department of Cultural Archives and Conservation and Associate Professor of Museology and Conservation, said a spokesman of the CIBS on Sunday.

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The collaboration was proposed by Dr Sonam Wangchok, Public Relation Officer, CIBS and painting conservation expert Sanjay Dhar in earlier meetings.

A meeting was also held with Dr Sachchidanand Josh, Member Secretary, IGNCA to discuss varied capacities of the two Institutions. The two institutions will explore areas of mutual interest and identify specific objectives that will promote their common objectives through the sharing of human resources and physical and financial capacities. By highlighting the literary works of Rahul Sanskrityayan, Dr Sachchidanand Josh, member secretary, IGNCA has also proposed for collaboration in literary works and research.

A proposed programme that will be developed in collaboration includes a workshop on Thangka painting and conservation at CIBS, Leh, a workshop on manuscripts conservation, developing a laboratory and documentation centre at CIBS in Ladakh, developing stores in the monasteries for preventive conservation, exchange programme for students and resource persons, literary works and publications. CIBS will also collaborate with IGNCA on an exhibition showcasing the achievements of the Department of Traditional Scroll/Fresco Painting, Department of Traditional Sculpture, and Department of Wood Block Carving to highlight the cultural achievements of CIBS, Leh.

In order to preserve a large number of significant thangka paintings and manuscripts with the monasteries, a capacity building programme, piloted by the Conservation Department of IGNCA, will be developed. This programme will be located at CIBS campus in Leh, where a specialized laboratory and documentation centre for the preservation of Buddhist paintings and manuscripts will be developed to international standards.

IGNCA and CIBS are institutions under the Ministry of Culture sharing common goals that of promotion of art, culture and rich heritage of the country. It is therefore with this aim that the two institutions have agreed to collaborate and complement their capacities for the preservation of rich and diverse heritage in the Himalayan region. Through this MOU with IGNCA, CIBS seeks to enlarge its network with the institutions, contribute to the promotion of cultural heritage and art-forms among the youth, students and people at large. Both the institutions will jointly work to complement their capacities through various programmes aimed at protecting and promoting the rich cultural heritage in the Himalayan region, specifically the living Buddhist heritage.