• The ministry of culture and the Indian Navy have joined hands to revive and preserve a 2,000-year-old technique of shipbuilding.

• The technique is known as ‘Tankai’ method or the stitched shipbuilding method.

• The stitched ship holds significant cultural value in India, given its historical importance and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship.

• The MoU was signed on July 18.

• The Indian Navy will oversee the implementation and execution of the entire project. 

Significance of the project

• Throughout history, India has had a strong maritime tradition, and the use of stitched ships played a vital role in trade, cultural exchange and exploration. 

• These ships, constructed by stitching wooden planks together rather than using nails, offered flexibility and durability, making them less susceptible to damage from shoals and sandbars.

• Although the arrival of European ships led to a shift in shipbuilding techniques, the art of stitching ships has survived in a few coastal regions of India, primarily for small local fishing boats.

• Reviving and rejuvenating this fading art is crucial to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.

• The proposal to construct an ocean-going wooden stitched sail ship using the ancient Indian art of stitching is a commendable initiative.

• The project aims at leveraging the expertise of the remaining traditional shipwrights in India and showcase their exceptional craftsmanship. 

• By sailing along ancient maritime routes using traditional navigational techniques, the project seeks to gain insights into the historical interactions across the Indian Ocean, which facilitated the flow of Indian culture, knowledge systems, traditions, technologies, and ideas.

• The significance of the stitched ship project extends beyond its construction and aims to revive the maritime memory and instil a sense of pride in India’s rich maritime heritage among its citizens.

• Thorough documentation and cataloguing of the project will ensure that valuable information is preserved for future reference. This project not only represents a unique boat-building endeavour but also serves as a testament to India’s diverse cultural heritage and ancient seafaring traditions.

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