India's living heritage: a deep dive into UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage List for UPSC

Introduction: The Soul of a Nation’s Heritage

Imagine a museum without walls, where the exhibits are not objects behind glass but are living, breathing traditions passed down through generations. This is the essence of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Unlike World Heritage Sites like the Taj Mahal, which are tangible, ICH represents the practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that define a community’s identity. It is the cultural DNA of a society—the melody of a folk song, the steps of a ritual dance, the wisdom in an oral epic. The foundational global framework for its protection is UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which India ratified in 2007.

As of late 2023, India proudly has 15 invaluable traditions inscribed on this prestigious list, showcasing its immense cultural diversity to the world. This article delves deep into this list, focusing on recent developments and their relevance for the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

The Spotlight on Recent Inscriptions: Garba and Durga Puja

While the list includes ancient traditions like Vedic chanting, the most dynamic and relevant aspects for UPSC aspirants are the recent additions, which reflect contemporary India’s cultural vibrancy.

Garba of Gujarat (Inscribed December 2023)

The latest jewel in India’s ICH crown is Garba, the devotional and ritualistic dance from Gujarat performed during the nine-day Navaratri festival. Its inscription is a powerful recognition of more than just a dance form. UNESCO highlighted Garba as a practice that fosters social equality and gender inclusivity, diluting socio-economic and religious divides. The dance, performed in a circle around a centrally lit lamp or an image of the Goddess Shakti, symbolizes the cyclical nature of life. Its inclusion underscores the role of community festivals in strengthening social bonds in a rapidly urbanizing India.

Fun Fact: The word ‘Garba’ comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha Deep, meaning ‘womb lamp’. The perforated earthenware pot, around which the dance is performed, symbolizes the womb and the eternal, divine feminine energy.

Durga Puja in Kolkata (Inscribed 2021)

Two years prior, the inscription of Durga Puja celebrated in Kolkata marked a significant moment, being the first festival in Asia to receive this recognition. UNESCO lauded it as “the best instance of the public performance of religion and art.” The festival transforms Kolkata into a massive open-air art gallery, where intricately crafted idols and thematic pavilions (pandals) become sites of artistic expression and social commentary. The 2021 inscription recognized its role in bringing together people from all walks of life, collapsing class and caste barriers, and providing livelihoods for countless artisans, designers, and performers. In recent years, themes have ranged from sustainable agriculture to Artificial Intelligence, showcasing the festival’s adaptive and living nature.

India’s Complete List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

For a comprehensive understanding, here is the complete list of India’s 15 ICH elements organized for easy retention.

Captivating Statistic: The Kumbh Mela, inscribed in 2017, is recognized as the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, drawing tens of millions of people over a period of 48 days.

Understanding ICH Domains & A Mnemonic for Retention

UNESCO categorizes ICH into five broad domains to better understand and safeguard them.

1. Oral traditions and expressions, including language.
2. Performing arts (like music, dance, theatre).
3. Social practices, rituals and festive events.
4. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.
5. Traditional craftsmanship.

To remember these five domains for your Prelims, use the following mnemonic:

Mnemonic: Old People Sing Knowledgeable Tunes

• Oral traditions
• Performing arts
• Social practices
• Knowledge concerning nature
• Traditional craftsmanship

Critical Policy Appraisal

While UNESCO recognition brings global acclaim, safeguarding these living traditions is a complex governance challenge. The Ministry of Culture is the nodal ministry, with bodies like the Sangeet Natak Akademi implementing safeguarding schemes.

Illustrative Analogy: Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage is like tending to a living garden, not pickling vegetables in a jar. It requires nurturing continuous growth, adaptation, and transmission, rather than just freezing a tradition in time.

Analytical Lens: UPSC Focus (Mains & Prelims)

Conceptual Basis:

• International Convention: UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its purpose is to safeguard ICH, ensure respect for it, raise awareness, and provide for international cooperation.
• Constitutional Provision (India): Article 51A (f) of the Constitution of India, which is a Fundamental Duty, states that it is the duty of every citizen “to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.”

UPSC Integration: Connecting the Dots

• GS Paper 1 (Indian Society & Culture): This topic is a direct fit. It explores the diversity of Indian culture, the role of festivals in social life, and the impact of globalization on traditions.
• GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance & IR): It connects to government policies for cultural preservation, the role of the Ministry of Culture, and the use of culture as a tool of soft power in international relations.
• GS Paper 3 (Economy): It links to the creative economy, cultural tourism, and issues of intellectual property rights (IPR) for traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.

Future Impact and Policy Relevance

Looking ahead, the preservation of ICH is intrinsically linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to promoting inclusive societies, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, and providing quality education. As India aims to become a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, nurturing its cultural capital will be as crucial as developing its physical infrastructure. Policy focus must shift from mere preservation to creating a vibrant ecosystem where these living traditions can thrive economically and socially, ensuring they remain relevant for generations to come.

UPSC Prelims Practice MCQ:

Consider the following pairs:

1. Kutiyattam : Sanskrit Theatre
2. Sankirtana : Ritual singing and drumming of Manipur
3. Ramman : Religious festival of Rajasthan
4. Kalbelia : Folk songs and dances of Kerala

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs

Answer and Explanation:

(b) Only two pairs

• Pair 1 is correct: Kutiyattam is a traditional Sanskrit theatre form from Kerala.
• Pair 2 is correct: Sankirtana is a ritual performance involving singing, drumming, and dancing from Manipur.
• Pair 3 is incorrect: Ramman is a religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, not Rajasthan.
• Pair 4 is incorrect: Kalbelia is a folk song and dance tradition of a snake-charming tribe from Rajasthan, not Kerala.

UPSC Mains Practice Question (15 Marks):

Q. While UNESCO’s recognition of elements like ‘Garba of Gujarat’ brings global prestige to India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, it also exposes them to the risks of commercialization and decontextualization. Critically analyze the challenges in safeguarding India’s living heritage post-inscription and suggest policy measures for their sustainable and authentic preservation.

Mind Map Outline (Revision Structure)

• UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of India
  • Core Concept of ICH
    • Definition: Living traditions, skills, practices.
    • Governing Framework: UNESCO’s 2003 Convention.
    • Five Domains of ICH (Mnemonic: Old People Sing Knowledgeable Tunes).
  • India’s Official List (Total 15)
    • Recent Inscriptions (Post-2020)
      • Garba of Gujarat (2023): Significance in social inclusivity, community bonding.
      • Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021): Fusion of art and religion, creative economy.
    • Other Key Examples
      • Performing Arts: Koodiyattam, Ramlila, Chhau.
      • Rituals & Festivals: Kumbh Mela, Nowruz.
      • Knowledge/Skills: Yoga, Traditional Brass/Copper Craft.
  • Governance & Policy Framework in India
    • Nodal Agency: Ministry of Culture.
    • Implementing Body: Sangeet Natak Akademi.
    • Key Schemes: ‘Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage’.
    • Critical Policy Appraisal
      • Challenges:
        • Homogenization & Commercialization.
        • Economic Vulnerability of Artisans.
        • Gaps in Documentation & Transmission.
      • Opportunities/Way Forward:
        • Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy.
        • Boosting Cultural Tourism & Livelihoods.
        • Community-led Preservation.
  • UPSC Relevance & Analytical Lens
    • Constitutional & Legal Basis
      • UNESCO 2003 Convention.
      • Article 51A(f) - Fundamental Duty.
    • Inter-Topic Linkages
      • GS1: Indian Culture & Society.
      • GS2: Governance, Soft Power.
      • GS3: Creative Economy, IPR.