Union Minister for Culture Shri Prahlad Singh Patel on April 18, 2020 launched the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India in New Delhi. The list comprises 100 elements.
Basic facts and objectives
India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.
It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection. This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.
Five broad categories
Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested:
- Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
- Performing arts;
- Social practices, rituals and festive events;
- Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
- Traditional craftsmanship.
100 element in the list
The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India’ formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013. As of now the list has more than 100 elements, It also includes the 13 elements of India that have already been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
13 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage elements from India
- 2017: Kumbh Mela
- 2016: Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz
- 2016: Yoga
- 2014: Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India
- 2013: Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur
- 2012: Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir,
- 2010: Chhau dance
- 2010: Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
- 2010: Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala
- 2009: Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas,
- 2008: Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre
- 2008: Tradition of Vedic chanting
- 2008: Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana
