UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage from India includes fifteen examples (all are intangible cultural heritage).[1] The latest cultural heritage included in the list is Garba, a tradition dance form from Gujarat. No examples from India were included in the "Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection" and "Register of Good Safeguarding Practices".
The inclusion of new heritage elements in UNESCO's lists of intangible cultural heritage is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage established by the convention.[2] In India, Ministry of Culture is charged with preservation, promotion and dissemination of culture of India.[3]
India was added to the list for the first time in 2008 (at that time total three examples were added).
According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage includes holidays, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music and handicrafts were included in the list.
Nowruz or Navroz is the only object in the list which is shared by twelve countries. Navroz in India is celebrated mainly by Parsi community (Indian Zoroastrianian community).[4][5]
Intangible Cultural Heritage elements
editRepresentative List
edit| Name | Image | Year listed | Type | Region/state | Description | No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre | 2008 | Performing arts | Kerala | Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam is performed by Chakyar and Nangyaramma casts of Kerala. It is a performing art that dates back to Sangam era. | 00010 | |
| Tradition of Vedic chanting | 2008 | Oral literature | Whole India | Vedic chanting is chanting of Sanskrit mantras or pathas. It is also a part of Sanskrit or Vedic study memorization. | 00062 | |
| Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana | 2008 | Festival | Whole India (mainly North India) | It is a re-enactment of God Rama's life according to Ramayana. | 00110 | |
| Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India | 2009 | Festival | Garhwal, Uttarakhand | It is a festival of the Garhwali people of Saloor Dungra village. Not performed anywhere in the Himalayas. | 00281 | |
| Chhau dance | 2010 | Performing Arts | West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha | Purulia Chhau, Saraikela Chhau and Mayurbhanj Chhau are various styles of the dance. | 00337 | |
| Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan | 2010 | Performing Arts | Rajasthan | Kalbeliya is a snake charming tribe. They perform dance on traditional music. | 00340 | |
| Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala | 2010 | Performing Arts | Kerala | It is a dance drama that enacts stories and tales of a battle between Kali and Darika. | 00345 | |
| Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India | 2012 | Oral literature | Ladakh | It refers to the recitation of sacred Buddhist texts mainly performed by various sects such as Kagyud, Nyngma, Geluk, and Shakya. | 00839 | |
| Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur | 2013 | Oral literature and performance | Manipur | It refers to naration of Vaishnava God Krishna's story through singing, drumming and dancing. | 00843 | |
| Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India | 2014 | Handicrafts | Jandiala Guru, Punjab | Thateras are artisan cast of Punjab who makes brass and copper craft utensils. | 00845 | |
| Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navroz +[a] | 2016 | Festival | Whole India | Navroz in India is mainly celebrated by Parsi community. | 01161 | |
| Yoga | 2016 | Performance | Whole India | Yoga is physical and spiritual practice originated in Ancient India. Every year 21 June is celebrated as International Day of Yoga. | 01163 | |
| Kumbh Mela | 2017 | Festival | Cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Trimbak-Nashik and Ujjain | Maha Kumbha Mela held every 12 year on rotation. | 01258 | |
| Durga Puja in Kolkata | 2021 | Festival | City of Kolkata | It is a festival of worshipping of Goddess Durga. | 00703 | |
| Garba of Gujarat | 2023 | Festival | Gujarat | It is a form of dance and performed on festivals and occasions. | 01962 |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Shared with Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.
References
edit- ^ "UNESCO - India". ich.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "Functions of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage - intangible heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO". 2022-06-15. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "About Us | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "A brief history of Nowruz: Celebration of beginnings, assertion of identity". The Indian Express. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ Al Jazeera Staff. "What is Nowruz and how is the Persian New Year celebrated?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
External links
edit- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in India: Official site