UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages in India

Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to the practices and representations of multiple elements linked with a given community or group as a part of its cultural legacy. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation) records a wide range of cultural elements from all around the world, including music, dance, art forms, and traditions. In this section, we will cover the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of India.

What are UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages?

The term UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to practices and representations, knowledge and skills that are recognised as part of a community’s cultural heritage. Intangible cultural elements are passed down from generation to generation. It gives communities a sense of belonging while promoting diversity in culture.

India has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. UNESCO has recognised several pieces of its intangible cultural heritage. It is an attempt to acknowledge the diversity of Indian culture and traditions. It raises national and worldwide awareness about various intangible cultural heritages and ensures their preservation.

Key Aspects of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The key aspects of intangible cultural heritage are;

• Oral Traditions: It includes spoken languages as a part of intangible cultural heritage such as storytelling and oral poetry.
• Performing Arts: It includes music, dance and another kind of performances, such as traditional music and folk dances.
• Social Practices, Rituals, and Festive Events: It covers social practices rituals and festive events that are important to a community, such as festivals and religious ceremonies.
• Practices concerning nature and the universe: These include the knowledge, skills, and practices developed by communities to interact with their natural environment, such as agriculture practices and environmental knowledge.
• Traditional Craftmanship: It involves the skills and knowledge that are used in traditional crafts, such as pottery and weaving.

Also Read: United Nations Education Scientific & Cultural Organization

UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in India

The UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in India includes fifteen examples. India was added to the list for the first time in 2008, with three new examples for the first time.

Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre (2008)

Kutiyattam is one of Kerala’s oldest theatrical performances, and it was included in the UNESCO list in 2008.

• Kutiyattam combines old Sanskrit theatrical tradition with elements of traditional Koothu.
• These classic theatres are typically performed in temples.
• To practise this art form, a person must train for 10-14 years.

Tradition of Vedic Chanting (2008)

The Vedas are regarded as the fundamental source of knowledge in Hinduism.

• Hinduism has four Vedas: the Rig Veda (a collection of holy hymns), the Sama Veda (music arrangements of Rig Veda songs), the Yajur Veda (a collection of priestly prayers and sacrificial rituals), and the Atharva Veda (a collection of spells).
• The chanting of Vedic scriptures preserves the text’s phonetic and rhythmic characteristics.

Also Read: Yoga – Principles, History, Importance

Ramlila:Traditional Performance of the Ramayana (2008)

Ramlila, also known as the Ramleela is the portrayal of Lord Rama’s life.

• Ramlila is a dramatic portrayal of Lord Rama’s life that is performed throughout India during the festival of Dussehra.
• It’s based on Tulsidas’ Ramacharitmanas.

Ramma :Ritual Theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009)

Ramman is a unique event held in Uttarakhand’s Garwhal region that combines theatre, music, and religious rituals.

• This festival is held in celebration of the local ruler god, Bhumiyal Devta.
• Ramman comprises several ceremonies, including the reciting of the Ramayana, numerous stories, and masked dances.

Mudiyettu:Ritual Theatre of Kerala (2010)

Mudiyettu is a traditional ceremonial theatrical and dance drama based on the epic battle between Goddess Kali and the demon Darika.

• It was added to the UNESCO list in 2010.
• Mudiyettu has performed annually in Bhagavati Kavus, and the goddess’ temples in various villages.
• The Mudiyettu performers go through a rigorous purification ritual.

Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (2010)

Kalbelia is considered to be descended from the Kanlipar, Guru Gorakhnath’s twelfth disciple.

• It is a traditional song and dance performed by the Kalbelia people in Rajasthan. It captures their nomadic lifestyle and cultural identity.
• This is the group of snake charmers hired by the royal household for ceremonial occasions.
• This community’s traditional dress consists of detailed embroidered clothing with small mirrors and silver thread, jewels, and traditional tattoos.
• Kalbelia dance is performed during the occasion of Holi.

Also Read: Origin, Evolution, Dress, Elements and Famous Artists

Chhau Dance (2010)

Chhau is a traditional dance from Eastern India that has martial, tribal, and folk elements.

• It is often performed in regional festivals.
• This dance depicts scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as local folklore and abstract concepts.
• It was added to the list by UNESCO in 2010 and is mostly based on three distinct styles that originated in the villages of Seraikella, Purulia, and Mayurbhanj.
• The Chhau Dance is performed at night in open areas. It includes holy tones and bold movements.

Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh (2012)

This is a practice in which sacred Buddhist texts are recited in monasteries and communities throughout Ladakh.

• Buddhist priests, also known as Lama, recite Lord Buddha’s teachings and philosophy in all monasteries.
• Ladakh is home to two Buddhist schools, Mahayana and Vajrayana, as well as four major sects: Nyngma, Kagyud, Shakya, and Geluk.
• Every sect has its own unique style of chanting that they practise on a daily basis.
• The monks wore religious masks and performed special hand gestures called mudras.

Sankirtana, Ritual Singing of Manipur (2013)

It is a religious performance that combines singing, drumming, and dance to celebrate holy occasions.

• It is mostly performed by the Manipur Vaishnava community and depicts Lord Krishna’s life story.
• UNESCO included this Manipur traditional art form in its list in 2013.
• A traditional Sankirtana is done in an enclosed courtyard or temple with a group of people participating.
• The dancing performance serves as a representation of the deity.

Traditional Brass of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India (2014)

It is the craft of creating utensils from brass and copper that has been passed down from generation to generation.

• It is the traditional art of Jandiala Guru in Punjab.
• They utilise copper and brass because these metals are believed to be good for their health.

Also Read: History of Indian Art

Yoga (2016)

Yoga is an ancient practice that focuses on the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the individual.

• It originates in India and aims to transform both the body and the mind.
• Yoga consists of a series of postures known as asanas that are intended to calm the body and mind.
• It also includes controlled breathing, meditation, and chanting.
• Every year on June 21st, the world celebrates International Yoga Day.

Nawrouz (2016)

Nawrouz is the Persian New Year, which represents the arrival of spring and the revival of nature.

• Nowrouz is celebrated in several countries and this event lasts around two weeks.
• During this occasion, people gather around the table to have a special dinner with family and friends.

Kumbh Mela (2017)

Kumbh Mela is one of the largest peaceful gatherings of pilgrims, in which people take a bath in a sacred river.

• Kumbh Mela is an important Hindu pilgrimage site and festival that takes place every four years in cities such as Allahabad, Haridwar, and Varanasi.
• The gathering consists of ascetics, saints, sadhus, aspirant-kalpavasis, and other visitors.

Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021)

Durga Puja is a large religious occasion that is primarily observed in Kolkata, West Bengal.

• This festival honours the goddess Durga through rituals and cultural displays.
• Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 16th session, held in Paris, France, from December 13th to 18th, 2021.

Garba of Gujarat (2023)

Garba is a traditional Gujarati dance form that is performed throughout the nine nights of Navratri.

• It worshipped the divine Goddess Durga and people dressed in vivid and traditional clothes.
• This dance is performed in a circular motion around the idol of Goddess Durga, with rhythmic clapping to the sounds of traditional Gujarat folk songs.
• The dance depicts the cyclical nature of time, evoking the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction.

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