Experiencing life in ‘Dhal ni Pol’
Background:
“A Pol is a housing cluster which comprises many families of a particular group, linked by caste, profession, or religion.”
It is not just a place where people live; It is a place of interaction between people, a way of living, a culture. Although today we know Ahmedabad as Manchester of India but it is a city of historical importance which was rule
d by Ahmed shah from 1411 to 1442.
“Dhal ni pol” means “Sloping Neighbourhood”. When Sultan Ahmed Shah found walled city of Ahmedabad in 1411, the residential clusters called Pols were created over the centuries. As mentioned above most of the pols were of particular caste, religion or profession, but “Dhal ni pol” has been named according to its geographical location. It slopes down from a hillock that was the head quarter of Bhil king Asha who ruled over the city Ashwal. There are many historical facts and stories that go around the Pol since it first got inhabited. The architecture, housing system, water management, landscape and sanitation in the Pol area are examples of optimum and self sufficient community living. Concept:
The walk in the “pol” is to experience life and cultural changes that the space has lived through. The walk will aim at reviving and celebrating the traditional systems of the heritage space. Pol is a self sufficient space with majority of occupants being senior citizens. It runs an old age home. The walk can look into engaging the elderly and youth as active participants. The residents of Pol are potential partners and stakeholders. The walk will aim at developing sense of ownership among the residents, develop livelihood opportunities for residents through project and generating awareness about the significance of Pol system and community living. The suggested walk included features like,
1. Story telling sessions
2. Serving the traditional Pol food to visitors
3. Enhancing the cultural character of the Pol
4. Reviving old traditional celebrations and games
5. Developing activities for visitors/ participants
6. Utilizing the architectural elements such as heritage building, chaupal, water reservoirs through series of activities.
7. Creating livelihood opportunities for residents
8. Grooming group of volunteers for the sessions and walk in Pol.
9. Customising walk for different target audience
World Heritage Week is being celebrated all over the world this year from 19th of November to 25th of November. This week long celebration is to create awareness and encourage people about conservation and essential significance of the rich cultural heritage that bejewels our lands and lives.. The pilot walk in the Pol by the trained community members, celebrated and welcomed 'The Heritage week' with participating students from schools of Ahmedabad on 19 th an 20th November 2016.
