Gujarat’s traditional Garba dance has now been included in UNESCO’s `Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.
The compilation of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list took shape in 2008 following the implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This roster comprises elements of intangible heritage that serve to showcase the rich diversity inherent in cultural heritage.
The addition was approved in accordance with the guidelines of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which commenced in Kasane, Botswana on Tuesday.
The items under ICH list for India include: Buddhist Chanting, Kalbelia. Chhau Dance, Koodiyattam, Kumbh Mela, Mudiyett, Nawruz, Ramlila, Sankirtana, Ramman, Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil making, Vedic Chanting, Yoga, and Durga Puja.
About Garba
The Garba dance form originated in Gujarat and derives its name from the sanksrit word for “womb”. The dance is a tribute to the feminine divine goddess Durga. The dance is performed around the Garba deep. The circular movements symbolise the concept of time as cyclical. While the goddess at the centre is the only constant, the moving dancers represent the cyclical concepts of birth, death and rebirth.
Procedure for addition to list
The Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO consists of 24 members who are elected during the General Assembly of the Convention, following the principles of fair geographical representation and rotation. Committee members serve a four-year term.
What are the standards for recognizing Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Intangible Cultural Heritage encompasses practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces that communities and groups, acknowledge as integral to their cultural heritage.
It is fact of pride that our culture is getting recognized at the international level and that the necessary cultural significance is being allotted.
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