India is a nation with many different cultures. In honor of this legacy, UNESCO has added traditions that have been passed down through the centuries as a way of life to a list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which goes beyond monuments, collections of artifacts, or specific locations. The performing arts, festive occasions, social customs, rituals, oral traditions, knowledge, practices, and specific skills required to make traditional crafts are all considered to be part of India's intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
The loss of the intangible cultural heritage as a result of industrialization. UNESCO has listed these cultural practices in order to conserve this immense wealth. There are 14 exemplary ones from India in total on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
The term "intangible cultural heritage" relates to cultural customs, expressions, practices, and know-how. Oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, social customs, holiday celebrations, customary craftsmanship, and knowledge of nature and the cosmos are all included.
- The transmission of intangible cultural heritage occurs from generation to generation. This is accomplished through oral traditions and hands-on examples.
- It is always changing.
- It often has a close connection to a community's identity and promotes social cohesiveness.
- For communities to stay in touch with their cultural history, it is crucial.
- The importance of preserving and advancing cultural variety is acknowledged by the concept of intangible cultural heritage.
- It emphasizes the need of preserving cultural customs and practices that are in danger of disappearing.
List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages in India
1. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana
A series of Ramayana episodes are presented in the stage production Ramlila. Based on Tulsidas' Ramacharitmanas, it is performed during the Dussehra festival throughout northern India. The performances include the fabled battles between Rama and the god-demon Ravana, Rama's return from exile, and several conversations with the gods, saints, and other figures.
2. The tradition of Vedic chanting (2008)
The Vedas, the earliest Hindu scriptures, are expressed in songs known as Vedic chant. The custom likely represents the world's oldest continuous vocal tradition and has been around for at least 3,000 years. Only thirteen of the more than a thousand Vedic recitation branches have survived, despite the Vedas continue to be significant in modern Indian society. In addition, four renowned schools in Maharashtra (central India), Kerala and Karnataka (southeast India), and Odisha (east India) are viewed as being in immediate danger.
Here are just some of the numerous advantages of this conventional procedure:
- Reduces emotions of tension and anxiety: Vedic chanting's rhythmic chanting and deep breathing can assist to quiet the mind and lessen feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Enhances attention and concentration: Repeating mantras and hymns can assist to enhance focus and concentration, making it a beneficial practice for professionals and students.
- Increases spiritual awareness: Vedic chanting is a highly effective method for raising spiritual awareness and establishing a connection with the divine.
- Enhances singing ability and general vocal health by strengthening vocal cords Vedic chanting is a practice that can help to strengthen the vocal cords.
- Enhances community: Vedic chanting is frequently done in groups, fostering a sense of belonging and a common spiritual experience.
3. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theater. (2008)
In 2008, UNESCO included this, one of the oldest still-practicing theatrical traditions in Kerala's southern state, to the list. It is one of Kerala's oldest still-practicing theatrical traditions.
Male performers impart to their student’s detailed performance manuals that were traditionally the private and closely-guarded possession of families. To perfect this art form, an actor needs to train for 10 to 14 years. It is done by elaborating on an occurrence and highlighting the smallest aspects of an act.
4. Ramman, religious festival and ritual theater (2009)
In Uttarakhand, this is a religious celebration and ritual play. Every year, the celebration takes place following Baisakhi, a harvest festival.
5. Mudiyettu, ritual theater and dance drama of Kerala (2010)
In villages along the rivers Chalakkudy , Periyar, and Moovattupuzha, there are temples called "Bhagavati Kavus" that replay the fabled narrative of Goddess Kali's conflict with the demon Darika.
6. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (2010)
An Indian intangible cultural treasure is this dance.
Historically, royal households would hire this group of snake charmers and dancers for celebration entertainment.
The dancers dress in highly embroidered clothing with tiny mirrors and silver thread, jewelry, and traditional tattoo designs.
During Holi, the festival of colors, specific traditional dances are done while these songs narrate ancient legends.
These peoples are proud of its music and dance.
7. Chhau traditional dance (2010)
This is a dance style that interprets abstract ideas, local traditions, and scenes from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
In open areas, this dance is performed at night. Performers don masks that feature characters from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata.
It has connotations of religion and daring movements, including bird and animal gaits, simulated battle maneuvers using props, and movements of women performing daily tasks.
8. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012)
Holy Buddhist chanting from the region of this trans-Himalayas was added to UNESCO's list in 2012.
In every monastery and village in the area, Buddhist priests or lamas recite the doctrine of Lord Buddha in the form of hymns.
Each sect has a unique method of chanting, which is done in groups while seated indoors or while dancing in the courtyards of monasteries or private residences.
The monks portray Lord Buddha using distinctive hand gestures while sporting religious masks.
9. Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming, and dancing of Manipur (2013)
These performances bring the Vaishnava community in Manipur together, bringing harmony and unity.
This community in the area is mostly responsible for telling tales and recalling incidents from Lord Krishna's life.
10. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making (2014)
The originators of this talent are in Punjab.
They make use of supposedly healthy alloys like copper, brass, and others.
Copper, brass, and alloys are employed, and they are regarded to be healthy metals. The generations pass down this metalworking tradition orally.
11. Yoga (2016)
Yoga should go without saying. Added to the list in 2016, this traditional Indian practice unites the mind, body, and soul.
The free-hand activities are intended to be calming and help you connect with nature. Before, it was taught directly from the guru (teacher) to the student, but nowadays, anyone who wishes to do yoga can receive instruction at yoga ashrams and health facilities.
Asana, the physical positions that make up yoga, are meant to help the body and the mind. It also includes meditation, chanting, and controlled breathing techniques.
12. Nowruz (2016)
Various ethnic groups around the world celebrate this festival, also known as the Iranian or Persian New Year. This celebration, which coincides with the spring equinox on or about March 21 according to the Gregorian calendar, is based on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar.
The celebration of this festival has been going on for more than 3,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. It has its roots in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism and is thus deeply rooted in Iranian cultural traditions. Presently, Nowruz is still a holy day for Zoroastrians and some Muslim groups, even though it is mostly a secular festival for most celebrants and is celebrated by individuals of many different faiths and cultures.
13.Kumbh Mela (2017)
This is the world’s biggest peaceful gathering of pilgrims, is a time when people bathe or plunge into a holy river.
The assembly is composed of ascetics, holy people, sadhus, and visitors.
Millions of people from every caste, creed, and gender attend the event, which is held every four years at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik.
With its mesmerizing influence on common Indians, it serves a crucial spiritual purpose for the nation.
14.Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021)
It is the tenth day of the Hindu mother-goddess Durga’s devotion.
In Kolkata’s this is famed for its traditional celebrations, which include large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as Bengali drumming and goddess adoration.
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