Nidhi Patel | University College London (original) (raw)

Papers by Nidhi Patel

Speaking Archaeologically Vol VI Issue 1, 2023

The exhibition of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Bodleian Library depicts the narrative of the tomb's ... more The exhibition of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Bodleian Library depicts the
narrative of the tomb's excavation through the display of archival materials. The exhibition showcases bow archaeologists portrayed King Tutankhamun to the general public which led to the excavation's global recognition. The paper attempts to look at the archival display in the
exhibition to examine the approaches that archaeologists took to makethe excavation of Tutankhamun a public endeavor, which further influenced how the public remembers Tutankhamun in a variety of contexts, including popular culture. The paper will examine how initiatives like these support the practice of public archaeology and benefit the discipline of archaeology, as well as look at the possible negative consequences. The paper will then proceed to discuss how, while maintaining the general public as the main character, an initiative like this will benefit the state of archaeology in India. The main aim of the paper is to comprehend the methods used to conduct public archaeology in an Indian context to popularize and create awareness among the general public. For this purpose, the author has visited the exhibition that is the subject of the study, and secondary sources have been used to draw conclusions.

Speaking Archaeologically Journal Volume V Issue 1, 2022

India has a variety of cultural heritage resources that are in need of conservation and proper ma... more India has a variety of cultural heritage resources that are in need of conservation and proper management (Atalan, 2018). Companies' social responsibility programs, aimed at sustainable growth, provide an opportunity for engagement with the heritage sector (Munjal, 2013). This, as a result, may lead to the protection and promotion of India's cultural heritage (Munjal, 2013). Heritage protection is an important financial instrument that helps both society as well as the individuals who invest in it. The aim of this paper is to examine the current state of the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Thane, as well as its significance, in order to highlight why CSR investment is required. Therefore, the paper also focuses on understanding the role of CSR in India's heritage sector.

Histrocity International Research Journal, 2022

Worship of the ancestors is often done in the form of animals, trees. People show a community com... more Worship of the ancestors is often done in the form of animals, trees. People show a community commitment to their kinship group's founders in this way (Steadman et.al, 1996). Karnataka's Bhuta kola is based on this idea and is related to the land and nature of the region ( Ishii, 2020). The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of Bhuta and Bhuta kola practice in the Kinnigoli region of Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, as well as those Bhutas that have been lost to time. The paper will study the Bhutas enshrined by the Kinnigoli people and the myths surrounding them. It is attempted to understand why only certain Bhutas are well-known and revered. Interviews were undertaken to have a better understanding of the diverse viewpoints on the subjects of interest. As a key method of data gathering, interview observations were used. A total of seventeen Bhuta figurines and five Bhuta masks were examined for this article. The examination of primary and secondary sources is also used to draw conclusions.

Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, 2022

Dance is intertwined with other arts in the service of religion (Gaston and Gaston, 2013). The co... more Dance is intertwined with other arts in the service of religion (Gaston and Gaston, 2013). The concept of Bhakti through dance and music is seen in the texts which then evolved into the formation of Devadasis or ‘Temple servants’(Zubko, 2014). Devadasis were a popular institution in early India. From the 7th century CE, the aesthetics of art assumed a religious tone (Aiyangar, 1929). As a result, these Devadasis were closely affiliated with the temple, and sculptures such as alasya Kanya, surasundari, and karanas can be claimed to have been inspired by their ongoing dance and music practice (Desai, 1990). The aim of this paper is to look at the Devadasi tradition and see how it influenced the Narthaki form of Alasya Kanya. Other parallel sculptures are also shown in this paper for a better understanding of the sculpture's relationship to the Devadasi tradition. Conclusions are drawn based on the author's observations and a thorough examination of primary and secondary sources.

Speaking Archaeologically vol IV , 2021

In Indian art, women are often depicted as maidens with graceful postures (Varadpande, 2006). Th... more In Indian art, women are often depicted as maidens with graceful
postures (Varadpande, 2006). They are also depicted as the symbol
of fertility through their depiction as Mother Goddesses. According
to texts like the Shilpa Shastra and Kshirarnava, Surasundaris could
be depicted as engaging in a variety of different activities, ranging
from tending to a child to playing a musical instrument, and even
wielding weapons of war.
The aim of this paper is to examine the iconographic features of one
such surasundari, Manjughosha. These surasundaris are shown
with bows and arrows, knives, and other such features, which might
allude to the fact that women of that period knew the art of defence
(Sompura, 1975). The paper tries to understand how the existing
tradition of women in combat might have led to the development of the Manjughosha figurines. For the purposes of this paper, a total of
11 samples were studied. Some of these are housed in museums
across the world, while others are situated in temple sites across
India. A database was created on the basis of these objects that have
been added in the appendices at the end of this paper (See Appendix
I and 2). Conclusions are drawn based on object analysis, combined
with a comprehensive survey of the primary and secondary sources.
However, due to the limited availability of these sculptures, it is
possible that many parallels were not recorded or accessible for the
purpose of this research.

11th Konkan Itihas Parishad (Department of History, Kalyan), 2021

Architecture is the physical manifestation of culture, which is reflected through interconnected ... more Architecture is the physical manifestation of culture, which is reflected through interconnected economic, social, political, and religious elements in all societies (Ettehad et al., 2014). Culture changes over time, adapting to new customs from different communities, which can be seen in architecture. A hybrid form of architecture rose to prominence in Thane around the 15th century. This style incorporated elements of Portuguese architectural style with native Indian architecture. The purpose of this study is to have a better understanding of Thane's religious life by looking at a specific type of structure that is a mix of Indian and Portuguese architecture. It will also highlight the structure's socio-economic significance. Two churches were studied for this purpose and conclusions were drawn using primary and secondary sources.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Technology, 2021

Some of the women rulers are known in history but others got lost in time. Women are often seen a... more Some of the women rulers are known in history but others got lost in time. Women are often seen as a side character and are overshadowed by the male figure. The common factor that binds these women is that they don't become rulers to natural success on and ascend the throne due to certain circumstances. Veil of a biased narrative is put on the work done by the Queens for their people. The paper sheds light on one of such women ruler Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and her work towards the field of education regarding women.

Conference Presentations by Nidhi Patel

Oral History Association of India , 2023

A folk deity is the protector of a community or a village, and traditions and myths connected to ... more A folk deity is the protector of a community or a village, and traditions and myths connected to it play a significant role in custom behavior (Bharadwaj, 2015). Here, the term "community literature" refers to a body of oral literature produced by the numerous ethnic groups speaking thousands of indigenous languages in India (Luhar and Numavat, 2020). Many tales, poems, and songs center on these local deities telling accounts of the wonders they accomplished to prevent evil (Maitra, 2010). By verbally retelling the stories of their history, values, and traditions that had been remembered, oral tradition preserved a people's culture across many generations. The practice was negatively impacted by the growth of written literature because remembering stories and orally retelling them became unnecessary (Baghchi, 2010). Because of the popularity of written literature and the consequent decline in oral tradition, local deities have been Sanskritized in an effort to preserve them in people's memories, which led to the loss of the origin stories associated with them. The folk deity originated in nature worship or spirit worship, some of which were Sanskritized and given the name of the prominent Hindu god (Xavier, 2009). As a result, the actual identity of the local deity has vanished and is only recognized by the names of Hindu gods. This paper will look at Khandoba, a Maharashtrian folk deity, and examine the god's possible origin as well as the god's development within mainstream Hinduism.

Manchester Metropolitan University , 2022

Pilgrimage to sacred locations is a Hindu religious tradition that dates back thousands of years ... more Pilgrimage to sacred locations is a Hindu religious tradition that dates back thousands of years (Bharadwaj, 1983). The concept of Hindu pilgrimage includes various aspects such as the route, site, riverbank, and sites related with the sages (Singh, 2006). Pilgrimage is often viewed as a means of spiritual growth and release from sins and worldly concerns (Sharma, 2020). In the traditional meaning, pilgrimage is an interior journey on which people attempt to understand the cosmos around them (Singh, 2006). The Sanskrit term Tirtha yatra, which means journeying to river fords, defines the character of Hindu pilgrimages (Glushkova, 2005). Many other things, such as teachers and saints, are considered Tirtha. This means that sacredness exists not only in sites, but also in our everyday lives (Lochtefeld, 2017). As a result, it should be highlighted that the term "pilgrimage" refers not only to holy locations, but also to the pilgrim's journey. The purpose of this paper is to look at the concept of Jyotirlinga and the myths related to it, from which pilgrims begin their tirtha journey at Somnath Jyotirlinga (9th century CE) and end at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (16th century). The study will also look at Trimbakeshwar temple, a much later structure incorporated into this mediaeval myth. Conclusions were drawn using primary and secondary sources.

Virtual World Conference on the "Greeks, Kushans, Huns and Gurjars: Their Cultural Legacy in the Indian Subcontinent", 2022

Iconography is one method of comprehending religion and its ideology (Tomar, 2015).Conquest, trad... more Iconography is one method of comprehending religion and its ideology (Tomar, 2015).Conquest,
trade activities, and migration have played a crucial role in shaping the religious lives of people
(Leighton, 1998). The purpose of this paper is to look at the overlapping attributes of goddesses
on the coins of the Indo-Scythian, Kushan, and Gupta. The paper attempts to understand the
transformation of the Goddess Tyche from Ardoksho to Sri Lakshmi through comparing and
looking at the similarities between them. This also helps to understand how different cultures
re-explain the features of goddesses according to their beliefs. Conclusions are drawn on the
basis of authorial observation and a thorough study of primary and secondary sources.