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Intangible Cultural Heritage
● Intangible cultural heritage means the practices,
representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the
instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated
with them that communities, groups and, in some cases,
individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
● The Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003
Convention on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
● India is a signatory of the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
Intangible cultural heritage in India
Intangible Cultural Heritage Year
Koodiyattam, Sanskrit theater kerala 2008
Ramlila 2008
Tradition of the Vedic chanting 2008
Ramman 2009
Mudiyettu, ritual theater and dance drama of kerala 2010
Kalbelia folk dance, Rajasthan 2010
Chhau dance, Odisha 2010
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh 2012
Sankirtana, Manipur 2013
Traditional brass and Copper Craft of utensils making 2014
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among the Thatheras of Jandiala guru, punjab
Navroz ,Yoga 2016
Kumbh mela 2017
Durga puja in Kolkata 2021
Garba Dance 2023
Koodiyattam
● Kudiyattam is one of the oldest traditional theater forms
practiced in Kerala.
● The word 'kuti' means 'combined' and 'attam' means 'acting', i.e.
"kutiyattam" means "united acting".
● This traditional theater is performed by male artists from the
Chakyar community (a sub-caste of Hindus) and female artists
from the Nangiar community.
● A musical instrument called Mizhavu is used in this.
● In the year 2008, Kutiyattam was included in the Intangible
Heritage List of Humanity by UNESCO.
Ramlila
● In 2008 Ramlila was inscribed on the UNESCO representative
list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Till date a
total of 13 intangible cultural heritages have been inscribed on
the UNESCO's Representative List.
● Ramlila, literally “Rama’s play”, it is performed across northern
India during the festival of Dussehra, held each year according
to the ritual calendar in Autumn.
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● This staging of the Ramayana is based on the
Ramacharitmanas, one of the most popular storytelling forms
in the north of the country.
● This sacred text devoted to the glory of Rama, the hero of the
Ramayana, was composed by Tulsidas in the sixteenth century.
Tradition of the Vedic chanting
● The recitation of Veda mantras has been included in the
traditions of the Vedas, which are considered to be examples of
the oldest oral tradition.
● The Vedic heritage embraces a multitude of texts and
interpretations collected in four Vedas, commonly referred to
as “books of knowledge” even though they have been
transmitted orally.
● The Rig Veda is an anthology of sacred hymns
● The Sama Veda features musical arrangements of hymns from
the Rig Veda and other sources
● The Yajur Veda abounds in prayers and sacrificial formulae
used by priests
● The Atharva Veda includes incantations and spells.
● In 2008, UNESCO included the tradition of Vedas in the list of
Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Ramman
● Ramman is a traditional drama performed in the Garhwal
region of Uttarakhand.
● It is celebrated by the Hindu community in Chamoli district.
● During this theatrical art, gifts and gifts are presented to the
local deity 'Bhumiyal' by the people of the village.
● In 2009, it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
of Humanity.
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Mudiyettu
● Mudiyettu is the traditional drama art of the state of Kerala.
● It explains the battle between Goddess Kali and a demon
named Darika.
● This play is organized in the temple named Bhagwati Kavus
after the harvest in the months of February and May.
● In 2010, it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage
List of Humanity.
Kalbelia folk dance
● This dance is organized by the women of Kalbelia community
of Rajasthan.
● The dress and dance moves in this dance are similar to that of
a 'Snake'.
● In this, a musical instrument is used by snake charmers, which
is called 'Bean'.
● In Kalbelia songs, mythological knowledge is propagated
through stories.
● In 2010, UNESCO included Kalbelia dance in the list of
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chhau dance
● Chhau dance originated in the forests of Orissa as a tribal
dance in the 18th century, which gained the status of a martial
art based dance in the 19th century.
● This dance is performed with masks due to which it got the
name 'Chhau' or 'Mukhaota'.
● During this dance, themes related to Ramayana, Mahabharata,
traditional folk tales and fictional subjects are displayed.
● Musical instruments like 'Dhol' and 'Marui' are used in this
dance.
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● In 2010, UNESCO included Chhau dance in the list of
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
There are mainly three types of Chhau dance
1. Mayurbhanj Chhau- It originated from Mayurbhanj district of
Orissa.
2. Purulia Chhau - Bengal
3. Seraikela Chhau - Jharkhand
Purulia and Seraikela using masks.
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
● The ancient sacred Buddhist texts are chanted every day by
the monks living in various monasteries and following different
sects of Buddhism in the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in
India.
● The chanting is also meant for peace and prosperity of the
world at large.
● The chanting is a highly orchestrated musical drama.
● It is done either sitting indoors or dancing in the monastic
courtyards or in private houses in the village.
● In 2012, it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
of Humanity.
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the
Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab
● The craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru constitutes the
traditional technique of manufacturing brass and copper
utensils in Punjab.
● The metals used – copper, brass and certain alloys – are
believed to be beneficial for health.
● The process begins with procuring cooled cakes of metal that
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are flattened into thin plates and then hammered into curved
shapes, creating the required small bowls, rimmed plates, to
larger pots for water and milk, huge cooking vessels and other
artifacts.
Sankirtana
● It is a traditional dance form of the northeastern state of
Manipur, which is performed through singing and dhol.
● It showcases religious practices based on the Vaishnava sect,
in which the life and works of Lord Krishna are narrated
through songs and dances.
● In 2013, it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
of Humanity.
Yoga / योग
● In 2016, UNESCO included Yoga in its list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage of humanity UNESCO List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage include those intangible elements that help
demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness
about its importance.
● The philosophy behind the Ancient Indian practice of yoga has
influenced various aspects of how society in India functions.
● Based on unifying the mind with the body and soul to allow for
greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing, the values of
yoga form a major part of the community’s ethos.
● Traditionally, yoga was transmitted using the Guru-Shishya
model (master-pupil) with yoga gurus as the main custodians
of associated knowledge and skills.
Kumbh Mela
● Kumbh Mela is made up of two words 'Kumbh' and 'Mela'.
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● The Name Kumbh is derived from the immortal pot of
nectar, which was described by the gods and demons in
the ancient Vedic scriptures.
● The first written evidence of the Kumbh Mela is
mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana.
● In the year 2017, Kumbh Mela has been included in
UNESCO's representative list 'Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity'.
Types of Kumbh Melas / कंु भ मेलों के प्रकार
● Maha Kumbh Mela
● Purna Kumbh Mela
● Ardh Kumbh Mela
● Magh Kumbh Mela
● Maha Kumbh Mela: It is organized only in Prayagraj. It
comes every 144 years or after 12 full Kumbh Melas.
● Purna Kumbh Mela: It comes every 12 years. Mainly 4
Kumbh Melas are held in India at Prayagraj (Ganga
River), Haridwar (Ganga River), Nashik (Godavari) and
Ujjain (Kshipra River).
● Ardh Kumbh Mela: It means, Half Kumbh Mela which is
held every 6 years in India at only two places Haridwar
and Prayagraj.
● Magh Kumbh Mela: It is also known as Mini Kumbh Mela.
It is held annually only in Prayagraj in the month of
Magha as per the Hindu calendar.
Durga Puja
● Durga Puja is celebrated as an annual festival in West Bengal.
● This annual festival is a week-long event in September-October,
where Goddess Durga is worshiped.
● In the months preceding the festival, people make idols of
Goddess Durga by bringing clay from the river Ganges.
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● UNESCO saw Durga Puja as the best example of public display
of religion and art and included it in the list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021.
Garba Dance
● Garba is a form of dance, also a religious and social event that
originates in Gujarat, India, and is performed during Navratri.
● This style of dance is based on a circular pattern and is
characterized by a sweeping action performed side to side.
● The performances of Garba also include singing and musical
accompaniment traditionally provided by dhol and similar but
smaller dholak, hand-clapping, and assorted metallic
idiophones, like cymbals
● Garba folk dance has been included under UNESCO's
Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2023.
● l heritage of India to be included in this list.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network
● The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was Formed in
2004 to promote cooperation with cities that have identified
creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban
development.
● These cities have to achieve the UN agenda of sustainable
development.
● The network is aimed at leveraging the creative, social, and
economic potential of cultural industries.
● It was launched to promote UNESCO’s goals of cultural
diversity and strengthen resilience to threats such as climate
change, rising inequality, and rapid urbanization.
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The UCCN covers seven creative fields
1. Crafts and folk arts
2. Media arts
3. Film
4. Design
5. Gastronomy
6. Literature
7. Music
Indian Cities in the UCCN List
● Chennai and Varanasi - UNESCO Cities of Music
● Jaipur - UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Arts
● Mumbai - UNESCO City of Film
● Hyderabad - UNESCO City of Gastronomy
● Srinagar - Craft and folk arts
● Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)- UNESCO Cities of Music (2023)
● Kozhikode (Kerala) - UNESCO Cities of literature (2023)
➔ Kozhikode is the first City of Literature in India.
➔ The North Kerala city of Kozhikode is home to many
prominent personalities of the state’s literary and cultural
world.
➔ The city, where several leading media houses are
headquartered, has hundreds of publishing banners and
several libraries enriching its literary tradition.
