UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of India
Intangible Cultural Heritage of India: This coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate the diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.
The list was established in 2008 when the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect.
It has two parts viz. Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of urgent safeguarding.
Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a prestigious list that aims to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage worldwide. It was established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) to recognize and protect traditional practices, customs, knowledge, and skills that are passed down through generations and are considered essential to the identity and cultural diversity of communities.
Intangible cultural heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, traditional craftsmanship, and knowledge related to nature and the universe. The inclusion of an element on the Representative List raises awareness of its significance and encourages the communities involved to continue practicing and transmitting it to future generations.
Being inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List helps in preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage by providing international recognition, support for safeguarding measures, and raising awareness at the global level. It also encourages mutual respect for cultural diversity and contributes to fostering dialogue and understanding among different communities around the world.
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of urgent safeguarding
The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is another important initiative by UNESCO to protect and preserve endangered intangible cultural heritage. This list was created to highlight elements of intangible cultural heritage that are at risk of disappearing or facing threats to their continuity and viability.
The elements inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding are those that require immediate and special attention to safeguard and revitalize them. These elements often face various challenges, such as social, economic, environmental, or political factors that put them at risk of being lost or severely diminished.
By inscribing an element on this list, UNESCO aims to raise international awareness about its precarious situation and mobilize efforts to support the communities involved in safeguarding and revitalizing their heritage. The urgent safeguarding status opens opportunities for technical assistance, capacity-building, and financial support from various organizations and governments to address the threats faced by the elements on the list.
Inclusion in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding represents a commitment by the international community to work together to protect and promote the vitality of these endangered cultural expressions and practices for the benefit of humanity. It also emphasizes the significance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as an essential part of maintaining cultural diversity and fostering sustainable development.
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Here is the list of UNESCO inscribed intangible cultural heritages of India in ascending order of incorporation:
| Serial Number | Intangible Cultural Heritage | Description | Year of Incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The tradition of Vedic chanting | The Vedas, regarded as the basic source of knowledge and the sacred foundation of Hinduism, embody one of the world’s oldest surviving cultural traditions. There are four types of Vedas: the Rig Veda (a collection of holy hymns); the Sama Veda (musical arrangements of songs from the Rig Veda and other sources); the Yajur Veda (a collection of priestly prayers and sacrificial rituals); the Atharva Veda (includes incantations and spells). | 2008 |
| 2 | Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana | Ramlila is a stage show that consists of a sequence of episodes from Ramayana. It is played across northern India during the Dussehra festival and is based on Tulsidas’ Ramacharitmanas. The legendary fights between Rama and the god-demon Ravana, Rama’s return from exile, and a series of talks between the gods, saints, and other characters are all part of the performances. Ramlila is most commonly done at Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna, and Madhubani. | 2008 |
| 3 | Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre | Kutiyattam, one of the oldest living theatrical traditions in Kerala’s southern state, was added to the list by UNESCO in 2008. It is one of India’s oldest living theatrical traditions, practised in Kerala. Kuttampalams are traditional theatres, which are generally located in Hindu temples, and are the place where Kutiyattam is traditionally performed. Kutiyattam has a structured and codified dramatic language, with emphasis on Netra Abhinaya (eye expression) and Hasta Abhinaya (the language of gestures). To become a fully-fledged performance, actors must endure 1o-15 years of intensive training. | 2008 |
| 4 | Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre | The Uttarakhand villages of Saloor and Dungra light up for Ramman when residents come to honour the local governing god Bhumiyal Devta. In 2009, the festival was included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ramman consists of highly intricate ceremonies, such as reciting a rendition of the Ramayana and numerous legends, as well as performing songs and masked dances. | 2009 |
| 5 | Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama | Mudiyettu is another cultural heritage that was added to the list in 2010. This theatrical performance enacts the mythological account of Goddess Kali’s battle with the demon Darika at temples known as ‘Bhagavati Kavus’ located in villages along the rivers Chalakkudy Puzha, Periyar, and Moovattupuzha. Mudiyettu has performed annually in Bhagavati Kavus, the goddess’ temples, in different villages along the rivers Chalakkudy Puzha, Periyar, and Moovattupuzha. At the place, divine figures such as Sage Narada, Lord Shiva, and the spirit of Goddess Kali, or Kalam, are summoned, while Mudiyettu performers undergo a rigorous purifying ritual. Mudiyettu is a significant cultural location for the transmission of the community’s traditional values, ethics, moral codes, and aesthetic ideals to the next generation. | 2010 |
| 6 | Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan | Kalbelia is an Indian intangible cultural heritage. It is thought to have descended from the ancestors of Kanlipar, Guru Gorakhnath’s twelfth disciple. This troupe of snake charmers and dancers was historically hired by royal households for celebratory entertainment. Traditional tattoo designs, jewellery, and clothes elaborately embroidered with miniature mirrors and silver thread are worn by the dancers. Kalbelia melodies tell mythological legends, and particular traditional dances are performed during Holi, the festival of colours. The Kalbelia community takes pride in its song and dance. | 2010 |
| 7 | Chhau dance | Chhau, a dance tradition, recreates scenes from epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as local folklore and abstract concepts. The eastern Indian folk dance, which was included in the UNESCO list in 2010, is based mostly on three separate styles that evolved from the villages of Seraikella, Purulia, and Mayurbhanj. The Chhau dance is done at night in open spaces. Masks depicting characters from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata are worn by performers from Seraikella and Purulia. It has religious overtones and daring motions, such as mock combat tactics utilising props, movements of women conducting daily chores, and bird and animal gaits. Seraikella, Purulia, and Mayurbhanj have distinct styles, with the first two employing masks. | 2010 |
| 8 | Buddhist chanting of Ladakh | In 2012, UNESCO listed holy Buddhist chanting from the trans-Himalayan area of Ladakh on its list. Buddhist priests or lamas recite Lord Buddha’s teachings and philosophy in the form of hymns in every monastery and community in the region. Ladakh is home to two schools of Buddhism: Mahayana and Vajrayana, as well as four significant sects: Nyngma, Kagyud, Shakya, and Geluk. Each sect has its own style of chanting, which is done in groups, either sitting indoors or with dance in monastery courtyards or private homes. Chanting is practised every day in the monastery assembly hall as a prayer to the deities and for the practitioners’ personal growth. The monks wear religious masks and perform unique hand motions, known as mudras, that represent Lord Buddha. They provide musical rhythm to the chanting by using instruments such as drums, cymbals, and horns. | 2012 |
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| Serial Number | Intangible Cultural Heritage | Description | Year of Incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing | Sankirtana performances bring the community together, ushering in harmony and unity among Manipur’s Vaishnava community. In 2013, UNESCO included this Manipur indigenous art form on its list. It is mostly done by the Vaishnava community of the region to depict stories and episodes from Lord Krishna’s life. Sankirtana entails environmental and mythological ideas in dance and music. Performers in Sankirtana, a variety of arts done to celebrate religious occasions and various phases in the life of the Vaishnava people, describe Krishna’s lives and actions via song and dance. A typical Sankirtana performance takes place within an enclosed courtyard or temple and includes two drummers and perhaps ten dancers and vocalists. The dance is a divine performance because of its beauty and fluid motions, as if it is a representation of the deity. | 2013 |
| 10 | The traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India | This intangible cultural asset, inscribed in 2014, is exceptionally rare. The Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab are the forefathers of this skill. They use copper, brass, and other alloys that are said to be beneficial to health. The craft of Jandiala Guru’s Thatheras is Punjab’s traditional method of producing brass and copper utensils. The metals used – copper, brass, and specific alloys – are thought to be healthy. This metalworking tradition is passed down verbally through the generations. | 2014 |
| 11 | Yoga | Yoga is self-explanatory. This age-old Indian practice united the mind, body, and spirit and was added to the list in 2016. The free-hand exercises are designed to have a relaxing effect and to make you feel at one with nature. Previously, it was passed down straight from the guru (teacher) to the shishya (student), but there are now yoga ashrams and wellness centres that offer training to anybody who wants to practise it. Yoga consists of a series of postures known as asanas that are designed to improve both the body and the mind. Controlled breathing patterns, chanting, and meditation are also part of it. Yoga is an ancient Indian practise that focuses on uniting the mind, body, and soul in order to achieve greater mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Every year on June 21, the world celebrates International Yoga Day. | 2016 |
| 12 | Nowruz | Nowruz was inscribed on the Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. People frequently wish for wealth and new beginnings in the New Year. Nowruz, which is celebrated in numerous nations, including India, celebrates the beginning of a new year and is marked with a variety of rites, ceremonies, and other cultural activities that last around two weeks. The gathering around ‘the Table,’ decked with artefacts that symbolise purity, brightness, livelihood, and wealth, to eat a special meal with loved ones, is an important tradition practised during this time. | 2016 |
| 13 | Kumbh Mela | The Kumbh Mela is the world’s biggest peaceful gathering of pilgrims, during which people bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. Ascetics, saints, sadhus, aspirants-kalpavasis, and guests make up the congregation. Every four years, the event is hosted in Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik, and millions of people attend regardless of caste, creed, or gender. The Kumbh Mela has a vital spiritual function in the country, having a hypnotic effect on ordinary Indians. | 2017 |
| 14 | Durga Puja in Kolkata | Kolkata’s Durga Puja is famed for its traditional celebrations, which include large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as Bengali drumming and goddess adoration. Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 16th session, which took place from the 13th to the 18th of December 2021 in Paris, France. It is the tenth day of the Hindu mother-goddess Durga’s devotion. | 2021 |
Recent Updates
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2021.
- In August 2022, India nominated GARBA for inclusion on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural treasures.
- India was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the period 2022-2026 in July 2022.
- In 2022, UNESCO published a publication that details 50 distinctive and exclusive cultural textile techniques of India in order to increase awareness about intangible heritage.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Background
UNESCO, short for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, is a significant agency of the United Nations. Its core mission revolves around fostering peace, development, and the exchange of knowledge and ideas between nations. One of UNESCO’s major initiatives is the recognition and preservation of cultural heritage.
In 2003, UNESCO took a pivotal step by adopting the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This convention defines intangible cultural heritage as the practices, expressions, knowledge, skills, and cultural spaces that communities, groups, and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. It encompasses not just tangible artifacts but also the essence of cultural traditions.
The main goals of this convention are twofold: first, to raise awareness and respect for intangible cultural heritage, acknowledging its significance in shaping identities and fostering diversity. Second, it seeks to promote international cooperation among nations to safeguard and pass down these living traditions to future generations.
Since its inception, UNESCO has been working closely with countries across the world to identify and protect their intangible cultural heritage. This includes various forms of traditional practices, rituals, performing arts, craftsmanship, and other expressions of cultural significance.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage serves as a powerful tool under UNESCO’s auspices. It was adopted during the 32nd session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2003 and officially came into force in 2006 after thirty states ratified it. Over the years, UNESCO has ratified several cultural conventions, and India is a proud participant in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Through these concerted efforts, UNESCO aims to preserve the richness and diversity of cultural expressions worldwide, fostering a sense of shared humanity and promoting mutual understanding among nations. By safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, we ensure that the essence of our collective identity and heritage endures for generations to come.
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