UNESCO'S CONVENTION: INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
India has been elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the 2022-2026 cycles. India has served as a member of the ICH Committee twice — from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018. Earlier, Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
WHAT IS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE?
Intangible cultural heritage is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. Also called living cultural heritage, it is usually expressed in one of the following forms:
- Oral Traditions
- Performing Arts
- Social Practices
- Rituals and Festive events
- Knowledge and Practices concerning nature and the universe
- Traditional Craftsmanship
SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIA'S ELECTION TO THE CONVENTION?
It will help India focus on fostering community participation, strengthening international cooperation through intangible heritage, promoting academic research on intangible cultural heritage and aligning the work of the Convention with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. India will have the opportunity to closely monitor the implementation of the 2003 Convention. India shall endeavour to encourage international dialogue within the State Parties to the Convention to better showcase the diversity and importance of living heritage.
What is UNESCO’s Convention for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage?
About: The Convention of the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003 and entered into force in 2006. It comprises 24 members and is elected in the General Assembly of the Convention according to the principles of equitable geographical representation and rotation. Members of the Committee are elected for a term of four years.
Purpose: To safeguard the expressions of intangible cultural heritage that are endangered by the processes of globalization. To ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals. To raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of intangible cultural heritage.
Which Indian Elements were Recognized as ICH?
India has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity. Other than the Durga Puja there are 13 Traditions in India recognised by UNESCO as ICH.
DURGA PUJA IN UNESCO'S ICH LIST
Recently in 2021, Durga Puja in Kolkata has been inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. It is the first festival in Asia to achieve recognition as UNESCO ICH of Humanity. Earlier, UNESCO announced the Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat as India’s 40th world heritage site.
Durga Puja: Durga Puja is a five-day festival which begins on the fifth night of the nine-day Navratri festival and ends on the tenth day, which is Dashami. During this time, people collectively worship and invoke Goddess Durga, who is regarded as the feminine energy of the cosmos, also known as ‘Shakti’. It is one of the largest cultural carnivals and street art festivals of the country. During this time, intricately-designed clay models of the Goddess are worshiped in ‘pandals’ and pavilions where people get together. Folk music, culinary, craft, and performing arts traditions are a part of the celebration. Though originating in West Bengal, which has the largest Bengali community in the country, the festival is celebrated in many other parts of India, and also the world.
WHAT IS UNESCO?
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. It has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members. India joined UNESCO in 1946. In 2019, the USA and Israel formally quit UNESCO. It is headquartered in Paris, France. UNESCO-IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) is leading a global effort to establish ocean-based tsunami warning systems as part of an overall multi-hazard disaster reduction strategy. Last year (2020), UNESCO-IOC approved the recognition of two communities of Odisha viz. Venkat Raipur and Nolia Sahi as Tsunami Ready Communities.
Other Initiatives of UNESCO
- Man and Biosphere Programme
- World Heritage Programme
- UNESCO Global Geopark Network
- UNESCO's Network of Creative Cities
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 India has been elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the 2022-2026 cycle. India has served as a member of the ICH Committee for how many times?
- Thrice (three times)
- Twice (two times): ANSWER
- Four times
- None of the above-mentioned
Q.2 The Convention of the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in ________ which entered into force in 2006?
- 2002
- 2003: ANSWER
- 2004
- None of the above-mentioned
Q.3 Currently, India has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity. Which of the following is the 14th ICH element of India in the list?
- Kumbh Mela
- Nowruz
- Durga Puja: ANSWER
- None of the above-mentioned
Q.4 Consider the given options and state which of the following Indus valley civilization sites is currently located in Gujarat?
- Mohenjo-daro
- Kalibangan
- Lothal: ANSWER
- Chanhudaro
Q.5 Out of the given options, which of the following is correct regarding the theme for the World Heritage Day 2022 observed on 18th April?
- Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility
- Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures
- Heritage and Climate: ANSWER
- None of the above-mentioned
