The Soul Traveller Podcast ft. Mr. Sandeep Sanjeev Pathe

Hosted by: Bhupendra Pratap Singh

Series: The Soul Traveller Podcast

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode of The Soul Traveller, we explore the soul of India’s built environment with leading Conservation Architect, Mr. Sandeep Sanjeev Pathe. To Mr. Pathe, conservation is not merely about the physical restoration of brick and mortar; it is about preserving the vivid identity of spaces that emerge from the amalgamation of local conversations, culture, and lived experiences.

This conversation delves into the philosophy that heritage belongs to the people. Mr. Pathe argues passionately that conservation cannot exist in isolation and that real preservation happens when local communities are empowered as the true custodians of their own history.

About the Guest — Mr. Sandeep Sanjeev Pathe

Sandeep Sanjeev Pathe is a distinguished registered architect and the Principal Conservation Architect at his studio, ‘Sakha’. Armed with a Master’s degree in Architectural Conservation, his expertise spans across six Indian states, where he has breathed new life into significant heritage structures.

Beyond his practice, Mr. Pathe is a researcher, author, and an influential voice in heritage policy, serving as a Subcommittee Member of the Council of Architecture, Government of India. His contributions have earned him recognition from the Embassy of Belgium, and he remains dedicated to education as a visiting faculty member at VNIT Nagpur. From the halls of academia to the streets of Nagpur where he conducts heritage walks, his life’s work is dedicated to the survival of India’s cultural legacy.

The Living Monument: Heritage and Community

In this episode, Mr. Pathe challenges the traditional view of monuments as static objects. He shares his experiences from the field, explaining how social work and community engagement are as vital to a conservation architect as a technical blueprint. He discusses the importance of "Heritage Walks" as a tool for public engagement, transforming silent buildings into vibrant storytellers that connect the past to the present.

Key Themes Discussed in This Episode

• The Definition of Conservation: Moving beyond restoration to understand the spirit of a place.

• Communities as Custodians: Why heritage preservation fails without the participation of local residents.

• Cultural Amalgamation: How local stories and culture create the "vivid identity" of a space.

• Challenges in the Field: Navigating the technical and social complexities of historic structures in modern India.

• The Power of Heritage Walks: Using public engagement to foster a sense of ownership over shared history.

• Bridging Research and Practice: How academic research informs real-world conservation and policy at the government level.

Campaigns & Impact

• Sakha Studio: A specialized practice dedicated to the meticulous conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings across multiple states.

• Nagpur Heritage Walks: A community-focused initiative to raise awareness and celebrate the local architectural history of Nagpur.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation is a call to action for anyone who believes that our past is the foundation of our future. Mr. Pathe’s approach reminds us that while buildings can be fragile, the stories they hold are resilient. It is essential listening for architecture students, urban planners, conservation professionals, and every citizen who wishes to see India’s cultural landscape flourish for generations to come.

About The Soul Traveller Podcast

The Soul Traveller Podcast documents conversations with changemakers, survivors, educators, travellers, and activists whose lives reflect resilience, purpose, and social responsibility. Hosted by Bhupendra Pratap Singh, the podcast captures stories that inspire reflection, action, and collective healing.