NAMGYAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON LADAKHI ART AND CULTURE
INTRODUCTION
The Namgyal Institute For Research On Ladakhi Art and Culture(NIRLAC) is a trust established in
1985 to develop research and preserve the culture of Ladakh.One of the primary aims of NIRLAC is
the conservation of Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage through various programmes to be undertaken by
the Institute.
1. To foster a spirit of goodwill and harmony and to promote understanding of Ladakhi
culture.
2. To preserve and restore the unique artistic heritage of monasteries, Palace’s, Forts,
Manuscripts, Icons and Scrolls.
3. To encourage appropriate management of historic sites with view to building awareness
among the citizens of Ladakh as well as pilgrims and visitors to the state.
4. To setup documentation centre that will house records and data on the cultural heritage of
the region.
5. To establish a well equipped library and archives on the Arts, Crafts and History of Ladakh.
6. To conduct seminars, workshops, exhibitions and festivals with aim of creating a larger
awareness and garnering support for the activities of the Institute.
7. To setup and encourage the establishment of educational institution with a special focus on
nurturing the cultural legacy of Ladakh.
8. To establish Schools and Special centres for the benefit of less privileged members of the
society.
9. To promote fellowships and scholarships in advanced education for deserving persons.
10. To promote sensitization and understanding of the fragile ecology of Ladakh,its preservation
and management.
NIRLAC PROFILE
a) Establishment of documents centre to provide a comprehensive data base on different
facets of Ladakhi culture including architecture. Art, performing arts, crafts, folk traditions
etc.
b) Understanding the cultural dynamics of settlements at micro level through detailed studies
to enable us to work with local community in conserving their heritage by primarily
improving their quality of life by undertaking specific projects for the purpose.
c) Undertaking specific projects for conservation of the regions cultural heritage
d) Establish a strong and viable publication and awareness programmes to highlight the rich
cultural heritage of the region as well as identify critical areas of concern.
e) Providing assistance to serious scholars interested in researching the history,art and culture
of the region.
f)
II.
Promoting the traditional skills of local craftsmen by organizing training programmes,
workshop and collaborations with specific organizations working in different areas.
Summary of Projects implemented
a) Heritage Maps which provides essential information on site including an interpretation of
layout, important element of interest was funded by The Hongkong Shanghai Banking
Corporation.
b) Documentation of Thanka paintings of Major important monasteries of the region which are
Hemis and Matho monasteries in which some thankas were restored and how
recommendation on how the Thankas should be stored.
c) Chemde Monastery were we did evaluation and documentation of the wall paintings were a
team of experts compromising of wall painting conservator and conservation architect
conducted a sie assessment and the report was forwarded to the monastery.
d) Lamayuru Monastery. The Gonpa committee of Lamayuru monastery approached NIRLAC for
supporting in a new resource centre cum library. The old kitchen was identified for the
purpose and a proposal prepared.
e) Shey Village: The shrine of Dorje Chenmo at shey dates back to perhaps the 16th -17th century
and houses some beautiful wall paintings many of which are barely discernable due to the
deposition of sooth. This was funded by UNESCO,INTACH UK Trust and was restored to its
original form under the expertise of art conservators and conservation architect and the
community.
f) Documentaion of Thankas of Stakna Monastery.
g) Documentation of thankas of Likir Monastery.
h) Documentation of the rock Engravings and Inscriptions.
i) UNESCO Workshop was organized on preparing a heritage management plan of Ladakh in
collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
j) Bardan Monastery in remote region of Zanskar.A proposal to support the documentation of
monastic settlement at Bardan was supported.
k) Matriya Temples,Basgo ,Leh ,Ladakh which dates back to early 15th century was restored
under the expertise of the art conservators,conservation architect and the community
initiative which was funded by the World Monument Fund and was listed as the 100th
endangered site by WMF.
l) Photographic Exhibition on Ladakh: A photographic exhibition by noted photographer
Mr.Probir Puryakastha was supported by NIRLAC.Held at the Habitat centre which was
inaugurated by Mr.Jagmohan and Dr Karan Singh.
m) UNESCO/NIRLAC workshop for conservation and Restoration of Monastic Heritage of
Himalayan region was organized. Participants from Nepal, Bhutan and from Himalayan
regions participated in this workshop.
n) World Heritage day is celebrated every year in different areas of the region of Ladakh were
we host different programmes for communities and Schools.
o) Buddhist Sangha Project was funded by UNESCO in the two monasteries of Ladakh which is
Hemis Monastery and Matho Monastery in which Revival of monastic art and craft, Making of
traditional paper was revived as well as documentation of wood block printing was done.
p) Inventory of cultural resources in Ladakh is a very major project which was initially supported
by the Ministry of Culture and now it is funded by the ford foundation and this year the first
edition is scheduled to be published.
q) Work shop for restoration of Chortens(Stupas) was conducted by Nirlac in collaboration with
Khardzong Otsal Tsogspa for training the local masons in restoring the old stupas and the
training was conducted by the stupa expert Mr.Tsering Tundup and a stupa was also
restored.
r) The other important project which is under implementation is the Sumda Chenmo Monastery
which dates back to 10th century and houses some beautiful wall paintings and stucco’s and it
is under restoration under the expertise of the art conservators and conservation architect
and the community .
AWARDS:
a) UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for cultural Heritage Conservation for our work in Shey
Dorjey Chenmo in Ladakh Award of Merit
b) UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage conservation for our work in
Maitriya Temples Basgo Ladakh for which NIRLAC and Basgo Welfare Commitee recieved
jointly the Award of Excellence which is the highest Award in this category for theyear 2007.
ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS:
NAMGYAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON LADAKHI ART AND CULTURE
B-25, QUTAB INSTITUTIONAL AREA,TARA CRESCENT ROAD,NEW DELDHI-110016 INDIA
PH: 011-26855849, MOBILE:+91-9419177949
E-MAIL:nirlac@gmail.com/jigmed_namgyal@yahoo.com
LEH OFFICE: SHANGARA HOUSE,TUKCHA MAIN,LEH-LADAKH (J&K) 194101
BANK DETAILS WITHIN INDIA
ACCOUNT NO:10942143068
STATE BANK OF INDIA
MAIN BRANCH, LEH LADAKH(J&K) 194101
SWIFT NO: SBIN 0001365
BANK DETAILS FOR FCRA GRANTS
Account Number: 094-006194-001
Bank Name: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Branch: R-47 Greater Kailash – I, New Delhi 110 048
Through HSBC INDIA’s account number 000-04417-2 with HSBC Bank, New York
HSBC India’s swift address: HSBCINBB
HSBC Bank, New York ABA Routing 021-001-088
HSBC Bank, New York Chips Code 302755