Abstract
The swift advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed the documentation, conservation, and dissemination of art and cultural heritage worldwide. In India, a country renowned for its diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage, digital preservation has emerged as a critical strategy for safeguarding artistic traditions, historical artifacts, indigenous knowledge systems and cultural memory against threats posed by urbanisation, environmental degradation, technological obsolescence and socio-cultural transformations. This research paper explores the role of digital preservation in integrating multidisciplinary art practices with emerging technologies to nurture sustainable cultural heritage management in the Indian context. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the study explores the convergence of visual arts, digital humanities, museum studies, heritage conservation, information technology, three-dimensional documentation and digital archiving. It critically evaluates how these technologies facilitate the preservation, interpretation, accessibility and public engagement of cultural resources while promoting collaborative practices among artists, designers, technologists, researchers, museums, archives and local communities. The research paper further discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with digital preservation, including issues of authenticity, long-term digital sustainability, ethical documentation, intellectual property rights, digital inclusion and policy implementation. Drawing upon selected Indian case studies and contemporary heritage initiatives, the research highlights the transformative potential of digital ecosystems in enhancing cultural resilience, supporting educational outreach and encouraging participatory heritage practices. The study explores that an integrated multidisciplinary framework is essential for balancing technological innovation with cultural sensitivity, ensuring that digital preservation extends beyond mere digitisation to become a dynamic process of cultural continuity, knowledge exchange and sustainable development. By contributing to the discourse on digital heritage and multidisciplinary art practices, this research offers valuable insights for scholars, cultural institutions, policymakers, artists and heritage professionals engaged in preserving India’s rich artistic and cultural legacy for future generations.