Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation

India's cultural heritage, comprising architectural marvels, artistic traditions, and deeply rooted intangible practices, is increasingly threatened by a combination of environmental degradation, human-induced pressures, and the long-term effects of historical neglect. The deterioration of thes...

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Main Authors: Ankit Kumar, Akshay Raghuvanshi, Harshit Surya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: World University of Design 2025-07-01
Series:International Journal of Arts Architecture & Design
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author Ankit Kumar
Akshay Raghuvanshi
Harshit Surya
author_facet Ankit Kumar
Akshay Raghuvanshi
Harshit Surya
author_sort Ankit Kumar
collection DOAJ
description India's cultural heritage, comprising architectural marvels, artistic traditions, and deeply rooted intangible practices, is increasingly threatened by a combination of environmental degradation, human-induced pressures, and the long-term effects of historical neglect. The deterioration of these invaluable assets presents a significant challenge to historians, conservators, educators, and policy-makers. The emergence of advanced digital technologies offers a promising avenue for both preservation and public engagement . This paper examines the conceptual potential of immersive technologies, particularly augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D digitization, to reimagine the conservation, interpretation, and dissemination of Indian art, architecture, and cultural narratives. Rather than presenting a technical implementation plan or empirical dataset, this study proposes a high-level strategic vision for integrating digital tools within a heritage preservation framework that is both culturally sensitive and technologically forward-looking. Central to this framework is the idea that digital innovation can serve as a custodian of collective memory, enabling new modes of storytelling, education, and community engagement. The paper emphasizes the need to safeguard not only physical monuments but also the intangible dimensions of culture, including ritual, symbolism, and regional diversity. It argues that when thoughtfully designed, digital interventions can provide immersive and inclusive experiences that are accessible across linguistic, geographic, and socio-economic boundaries. By proposing a conceptual lens grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration—spanning heritage studies, digital humanities, education, and spatial computing—this paper sets the stage for future research and pilot projects in applied digital heritage. It invites scholars, technologists, cultural institutions, and policy-makers to explore how India can lead in the creation of a digitally empowered cultural future rooted in authenticity and inclusivity
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publisher World University of Design
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spelling doaj-art-e22fa921385545fd899710fee037df3c2025-08-20T03:35:02ZengWorld University of DesignInternational Journal of Arts Architecture & Design2584-02822025-07-0132627610.62030/2025Julypaper5Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital InnovationAnkit Kumar0Akshay Raghuvanshi1Harshit Surya 2World University of Design, Plot No. 1, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India World University of Design, Plot No. 1, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India World University of Design, Plot No. 1, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India India's cultural heritage, comprising architectural marvels, artistic traditions, and deeply rooted intangible practices, is increasingly threatened by a combination of environmental degradation, human-induced pressures, and the long-term effects of historical neglect. The deterioration of these invaluable assets presents a significant challenge to historians, conservators, educators, and policy-makers. The emergence of advanced digital technologies offers a promising avenue for both preservation and public engagement . This paper examines the conceptual potential of immersive technologies, particularly augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D digitization, to reimagine the conservation, interpretation, and dissemination of Indian art, architecture, and cultural narratives. Rather than presenting a technical implementation plan or empirical dataset, this study proposes a high-level strategic vision for integrating digital tools within a heritage preservation framework that is both culturally sensitive and technologically forward-looking. Central to this framework is the idea that digital innovation can serve as a custodian of collective memory, enabling new modes of storytelling, education, and community engagement. The paper emphasizes the need to safeguard not only physical monuments but also the intangible dimensions of culture, including ritual, symbolism, and regional diversity. It argues that when thoughtfully designed, digital interventions can provide immersive and inclusive experiences that are accessible across linguistic, geographic, and socio-economic boundaries. By proposing a conceptual lens grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration—spanning heritage studies, digital humanities, education, and spatial computing—this paper sets the stage for future research and pilot projects in applied digital heritage. It invites scholars, technologists, cultural institutions, and policy-makers to explore how India can lead in the creation of a digitally empowered cultural future rooted in authenticity and inclusivitydigital heritage preservationaugmented reality (ar)virtual reality (vr)3d scanning and digitizationindian cultural heritageimmersive technologiescultural interpretationheritage accessibility
spellingShingle Ankit Kumar
Akshay Raghuvanshi
Harshit Surya
Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
International Journal of Arts Architecture & Design
digital heritage preservation
augmented reality (ar)
virtual reality (vr)
3d scanning and digitization
indian cultural heritage
immersive technologies
cultural interpretation
heritage accessibility
title Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
title_full Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
title_fullStr Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
title_full_unstemmed Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
title_short Preserving Indian Heritage with Digital Innovation
title_sort preserving indian heritage with digital innovation
topic digital heritage preservation
augmented reality (ar)
virtual reality (vr)
3d scanning and digitization
indian cultural heritage
immersive technologies
cultural interpretation
heritage accessibility
work_keys_str_mv AT ankitkumar preservingindianheritagewithdigitalinnovation
AT akshayraghuvanshi preservingindianheritagewithdigitalinnovation
AT harshitsurya preservingindianheritagewithdigitalinnovation