Indian Trust for Rural heritage and Development

The organisation launched a project in Azamgarh District, UP, focusing on three unique villages facing poverty and lacking basic amenities. Nizamabad, known for black pottery adorned with silver, preserves this craft with national recognition. Mubarkpur, famous for silk "Banarsi" saris with gold and silver zari work, maintains a historical tradition. Hariharpur boasts a classical music heritage passed down through generations. In Azamgarh, the organisation pursues individual village initiatives and nurtures the "Creative Cluster" as a whole. This approach sustains traditions, improves economics, and fosters community development, including skill training and solar energy experiments. Azamgarh Festivals in Delhi and Lucknow engage urban audiences, supporting these traditions and showcasing Azamgarh's rich heritage.

In Hariharpur Musicians Village, every Brahmin family holds a musical tradition and notable artists like Pt. Chhanulal Mishra and Pt. Samta Prasad trace their roots here. While boys are taught music from a young age, girls often learn informally. Despite their remarkable talent, these musicians face economic hardships and limited performance opportunities, risking the loss of their Benares gharana tradition. The organisation's efforts include restoring the music hall, providing professional training for younger musicians, offering performance opportunities at urban venues, and focusing on community development through the Chacha Nehru Primary School, offering free quality education to over 100 children, ensuring a strong connection between education and heritage preservation.

In Nizamabad Potters Village, renowned for its unique black pottery adorned with silver, the community faced poverty and lacked essential infrastructure. Production quality suffered due to temperature control issues in clay ovens, and the use of mercury made the pottery unsuitable for food use. Artisans relied heavily on Mumbai traders for meagre compensation. The organisation intervened by developing an efficient kiln, offering training in design and technical skills, and installing a solar panel. Annual Azamgarh Festivals provided direct market access, reducing middlemen's dependence. These efforts improved economic conditions, brought back artisans who had left, and instilled pride in their tradition, ensuring its survival and the well-being of practitioners.

Mubarakpur Weavers Village, located 80 km north of Varanasi, boasts a 400-year-old tradition of silk weaving. However, the weavers' fame had waned due to dependency on middlemen, limited market access, and static design. To revive this heritage, the organisation initiated a long-term effort. It facilitated direct market access, improved raw material quality, and collaborated with designers to create contemporary versions of traditional designs. Since 2013, Mubarakpur weavers have participated in the organisation's Azamgarh Festivals, engaging with customers and attracting buyers. This process also acquainted artisans with current market demands. Participation in the Surajkund Craft Mela further promoted their work. With growing interest from other organisations, Mubarakpur's prominence in fine silk weaving is on the path to restoration.

The Royal Gardens of Rajnagar, established in the 18th century by the Chhatarpur royal family, hold historical significance near Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These gardens, totalling 15 in the Bundelkhand region, served as caravan serais for the royal family and share common features like walls, a Shiva Temple, outhouses, cremation platforms, step wells, and irrigation channels. Supported by the Belgian Chapter of ITRHD, restoration efforts are ongoing in two gardens (Rani Bagh, Pateriya ka Bagh) and will soon extend to two more (Tiwari ka Bagh, Bashir ka Bagh). A visitors cum training centre and community seed bank is under construction at Pateriya ka Bagh, demonstrating sustainable traditional construction techniques and promoting sustainable agriculture in collaboration with Gandhi Ashram (Chhatarpur), aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.