Heritage walks evolve, focus shifts to immersive journeys through food, communities, social history & architecture

Kolkata: From simple strolls on Sunday mornings to immersive experiences, from basic tours to rich anecdotes, heritage walks in the city have evolved, weaving stories around communities, food, social history, and architecture.In an era when information is readily available on social media platforms, walk curators are conducting thorough research and gathering various insights to make the heritage walks vital instruments of cultural education, community development, and heritage conservation. Many curators are even involving local communities, such as Bow Barracks and Chinatown walks, and inviting family descendants, like the Metiabruz walk, to establish a personal connection between the walk enthusiasts and the theme of the walk."Heritage walks have transformed from being mere physical journeys to captivating narratives. Skilled storytellers armed with thorough research weave historical anecdotes, cultural insights, and personal stories, breathing life into the past and creating a connection between the walker and the place," said GM Kapur, convener of Intach's Kolkata chapter, who started Footsteps, a voluntary heritage walk more than 25 years ago. "Last year, we organised the Calcutta Club Heritage Walk where we took the members and their guests to spots where Calcutta Club was initially located to the current address," said Kapur.Sibendu Das organises guided tours focused on mishti (sweets), offering participants insights into local delicacies, traditional recipes, and personal stories whilst delving into the cultural importance of different types of sweets and their influence on community bonds. "Bengali culture and lifestyle is intertwined with mishti, with different sweets for different festivals and occasions like thread ceremonies, weddings, etc. On my walks, I take participants to workshops where these mishtis are made to get a first-hand experience, organise interactions with the owners of iconic sweet shops in the city, talks with the makers of these sweets, etc," said Das.Many walk curators are using community engagement to act as platforms for sharing personal experiences and preserving intangible cultural heritage. In December, there will be a series of walks around the Legacy Tour of Metiabruz exploring the legacy of Wajid Ali Shah. "There will be a short interaction with some of the descendants of Wajid Ali Shah. This is a way of connecting the past with the present and the future," said Farheen Saba, a local who is organising the walk voluntarily.