UNESCO Intangible Flashcards
Pan India - Tradition of Vedic Chanting (2008)
– Oral Tradition. The oral tradition of Vedic chanting involves the recitation of the Vedas, ancient sacred Sanskrit texts, passed down through generations, preserving linguistic and spiritual heritage.
Pan India -Ramlila:
The Traditional Performance of the Ramayana (2008) – Performing Art. Ramlila is a dramatic reenactment of the epic Ramayana, performed annually during the festival of Dussehra, depicting the life and deeds of Lord Rama.
Kerala
Kutiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre (2008) – Performing Art. Kutiyattam is one of the oldest surviving theatrical traditions, combining Sanskrit drama with traditional elements, performed in temples by the Chakyar community.
Uttarakhand
Ramman: Religious Festival and Ritual Theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009) – Festival and Ritual Theatre. Ramman is a religious festival featuring ritual theatre, music, and dance, celebrated by the Garhwali community in the village of Saloor Dungra.
West Bengal
Jharkhand
Rajasthan
Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (2010) – Performing Art. Performed by the Kalbelia community, this art form is characterized by sensuous dance movements and songs that narrate mythological stories and folklore.
Kerala
Mudiyettu: Ritual Theatre and Dance Drama of Kerala (2010) – Ritual Theatre. Mudiyettu is a ritualistic dance drama depicting the mythological tale of the goddess Kali’s triumph over the demon Darika, performed annually in Bhadrakali temples.
Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)
Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh: Recitation of Sacred Buddhist Texts (2012) – Oral Tradition. This practice involves the rhythmic recitation of sacred Buddhist scriptures, fostering spiritual reflection and community cohesion among monks and practitioners.
Manipur
Sankirtana: Ritual Singing, Drumming, and Dancing of Manipur (2013) – Performing Art. Sankirtana encompasses a set of ritual performances involving singing, drumming, and dancing, central to the religious and cultural life of the Vaishnava community in Manipur.
Punjab
Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru (2014) – Traditional Craftsmanship. This craft involves the manual production of brass and copper utensils, showcasing the artisans’ skill in shaping and engraving metalware.
Pan India -Yoga (2016)
– Ancient Practice. Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at attaining a state of permanent peace, originating in ancient India and widely practiced globally.
Pan India -Nowruz (2016)
– New Year Festival. Nowruz, meaning ‘New Day,’ is the Persian New Year celebrated by various communities, symbolizing the renewal of nature and fostering cultural diversity and understanding.
Kumbh Mela
Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain, – Religious Festival. Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage where devotees gather to bathe in sacred rivers, believed to cleanse sins and attain salvation, rotating among four riverbank locations.
West Bengal
Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021) – Religious Festival. Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival in Kolkata, celebrating the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, marked by elaborate decorations, performances, and rituals.
Gujarat
Garba of Gujarat (2023) – Traditional Dance. Garba is a traditional Gujarati dance performed during the Navratri festival, involving rhythmic clapping and circular movements, symbolizing the cycle of life and honoring the feminine divine.
