HYDERABAD: Apart from being lacklustre and appalling, the Light and Sound show at Golconda Fort could also possibly be contributing to the degradation of the Fort’s ruins, indicates a study. Earlier, not only was the sound quality up to the mark but, at times, it also stopped working due to loose connections.
A recent study, published in the January issue of South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage (SAJTH) on issues concerning conservation of heritage sites in India, found that ‘light and colour shows’ were a major contributor to the degradation of historical sites. “The intense light and high pitch of sound system and the vibrations create cracks on the walls of these monuments. The light generates heat that harms the plaster and colours of monuments,” the study said.
The issue was highlighted in another study conducted by a professor of tourism at Kurukshetra University, who wrote that the vibrations and the high pitch also affected the bats, birds and other animals which made such heritages sites their homes.
The issue, however, is not new. There have been instances of the reasons for damage of heritage buildings being attributed to light and sound shows. In 2016, when a portion of the Rajwada Palace in Madhya Pradesh collapsed, the government in that state blamed the light and sound show for it. While the Archaeological Survey of India is the custodian of the Golconda Fort in Telangana, the Light and Sound show is under the administration of the tourism department.
An ASI source said, “The lights are not up to the mark. Why won’t people leave in the middle of the format of the show hasn’t been changed in the last 20 years?’’
An ASI source said, "The lights are not up to the mark and many people are not interested in history. We have to make it accessible to all. Why won't people leave in the middle if the format of the show hasn't been changed in the last 20 years? The State government plans to install LED lights in place of the present lights."
Anuradha Naik, a conservation architect, said, "The Light and Sound show should be arranged only after a proper research and the equipment should be installed by expert technicians. LEDs should be used as they emit less heat."
The study also said that there is a dearth of persistent lobbying to grab the world's attention towards "our heritage". The findings are further validated by the fact that even Charminar, with its history and popularity, still hasn't been able to acquire the much-coveted World Heritage Site tag.
"Though India has one of the most ancient cultures, this country is very poor in international participation. Out of the 1,052 World Heritage Sites all over the world, it has only 36 to date. Countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Germany which are smaller than India (in area and size) have more such sites," the study pointed out.