Film Tourism for Heritage Conservation and Promotion: The Case of Nrityagram, the First Indian Dance Village

Abstract

Film tourism has been recognized as a key instrument in the process of destination development and co-creation of tourist experiences. The promotion of any destination through films can result in attracting more visitors and subsequently, formulation of policies favoring that destination which aid in the conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the place. In this context, this article analyses the case of Nrityagram, a village formed by the international community of Indian classical dancers. The work highlights the possibility that if promoted as a film tourism destination, Nrityagram can contribute to the promotion and conservation of Indian cultural dance, a form of intangible heritage. The work is primarily qualitative in nature and draws upon existing literature as well as the experiences gained from the field visit made to the said site.