Context: During its 18th session held in Kasane, Botswana, in 2023, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage added the 'Garba of Gujarat' to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This inclusion marks India's 15th inscription on the list, with Kolkata's Durga Puja being the most recent addition two years ago.
About Garba:
- Garba, a form of dance originating from the state of Gujarat, India, derives its name from the Sanskrit term "Garbha." This traditional dance is often performed around a centrally lit lamp or an image of the Hindu goddess Shakti.
- Typically associated with the nine-day Hindu festival Navratri, the dance features concentric rings with a lamp (Garba Deep).
- The term "garba" is rooted in the Sanskrit word for womb, symbolizing gestation or pregnancy and the essence of life.
- This ritualistic dance pays homage to Durga, the feminine manifestation of divinity. The circular formation of the dance symbolizes the Hindu perception of time as cyclical, reflecting the cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
- The dance is often accompanied by the rhythmic clashing of wooden dandiya sticks.
- Typically, performances feature singing alongside musical accompaniment, traditionally provided by instruments like the dhol (double-headed drum) and its smaller counterpart, the dholak, as well as hand clapping and various metallic idiophones such as cymbals.
- In the past, the shehnai, a double-reed instrument, played a guiding role for the singers.
About UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List:
- UNESCO initiated the compilation of its Intangible Cultural Heritage lists with the objective of enhancing the protection of significant intangible cultural heritages globally and fostering awareness of their importance.
- In 2003, the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took places and the list was established in 2008.
- The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, publishes this list.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, as well as the tools, objects, and artifacts associated with them, recognized by communities, groups, and, in some instances, individuals as integral components of their cultural heritage.
- The programme compiles three lists:
- List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises of cultural practices and expressions which helps to demonstrate the diversity of heritage and raise awareness.
- List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider to require urgent measures to keep them alive.
- The third list is the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
List of Cultural Items from India on UNESCO’s Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
- Koodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre), included in 2008- Kerala
- Ramlila, included in 2008- Uttar Pradesh
- The Tradition in Vedic chanting, included in 2008
- Ramman, included in 2009, Uttarakhand
- Mudiyettu, included in 2010, Kerala
- Kalbelia, included in 2010, Rajasthan
- Chhau, included in 2010, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal
- Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, included in 2012
- Sankirtana, included in 2013, Manipur
- Traditional Brass and Copper craft of Utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab, included in 2014
- Yoga, included in 2016
- Navroz included in 2016
- Kumbh Mela added in 2017
- Durga Puja, added in Kolkata, 2021
- Garba, included in 2023, Gujarat