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Garba Dance From Gujarat Recognised as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO

On December 6, UNESCO endorsed the addition of garba, a popular folk dance from Gujarat, to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. This commitment to recognize garba as an “intangible heritage” was made during the 18th meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which took place in the Republic of Botswana.

With this, 15 elements from various parts of India have been inscripted to UNESCO’s representative list of ICH.

The chief of the committee’s evaluation body referred to garba as “ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navratri, which is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy”.

Garba: An Overview

Garba is a traditional dance from Gujarat, India. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word “Garbha,” meaning womb.

Symbolism and Ritual

  • The dance is usually performed around a centrally lit lamp or an image of Goddess Shakti.
  • The dance is connected to the Hindu festival of Navratri, which celebrates feminine divinity.
  • The circular formation symbolises the cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

Performance and Music

  • The dance involves the rhythmic clashing of wooden dandiya sticks.
  • Singing and musical instruments like the dhol (double-headed drum), the dholak, cymbals, and the shehnai accompany the dance.
  • The shehnai, a double-reed instrument, used to guide singers.

Understanding UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

  • UNESCO created its Intangible Cultural Heritage lists to protect global intangible cultural heritages and promote recognition of their significance.
  • The list came into being in 2008 after the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.
  • The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is responsible for publishing this list.

Definition of Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Intangible Cultural Heritage encompasses cultural practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills.
  • It also includes the tools, objects, and artefacts connected to these practices.
  • Communities, groups, and sometimes individuals, acknowledge these elements as crucial to their cultural heritage.

The Three Lists under the Programme:

  • The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity contains cultural practices and expressions that display heritage diversity and promote awareness.
  • The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding includes cultural elements that communities and countries believe need immediate action for their preservation.
  • The Register of Good Safeguarding Practices is the third list in this programme.

List of Cultural Items from India on UNESCO’s Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

  1. Koodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre), included in 2008- Kerala
  2. Ramlila, included in 2008- Uttar Pradesh
  3. The Tradition in Vedic chanting, included in 2008
  4. Ramman, included in 2009, Uttarakhand
  5. Mudiyettu, included in 2010, Kerala
  6. Kalbelia, included in 2010, Rajasthan
  7. Chhau, included in 2010, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal
  8. Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, included in 2012
  9. Sankirtana, included in 2013, Manipur
  10. Traditional Brass and Copper craft of Utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab, included in 2014
  11. Yoga, included in 2016
  12. Navroz included in 2016
  13. Kumbh Mela added in 2017
  14. Durga Puja, added in Kolkata, 2021
  15. Garba, included in 2023, Gujarat

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