I use technology to empower language and preserve culture
My work consists of several projects to create digital documentation of vulnerable cultural practices including performing arts, musical traditions, lesser known monuments, neglected languages and palm leaf manuscripts. I call this Project Pothi. This makes cultural history more accessible, understandable and preserves it for the future.
Apart from that, I research and write about Odisha’s ancient culture on the lines of mythology, visual & performing arts and music. I sing Odissi music and other allied forms of traditional music. Collecting & learning rare songs, tunes, ragas, techniques is a passion — documentation of these aspects goes by the alias ‘The Odissi Project‘, an attempt to create high-quality video renditions by lesser-known artistes. The core of my work is to elevate the power of digital mediums like YouTube & Twitter and through them make people aware of and encourage more discussion around endangered traditions. This thorough documentation backed by research makes information more accessible, approachable and understandable. I strongly believe a good online presence of our cultural nuances is inevitable in today’s age, and all of us must work together towards this.
You can reach me at pattaprateek@gmail.com.