UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE Flashcards
Garba of Gujarat 2023
Garba is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the
occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri.
Durga Puja in Kolkata 2021
It marks the ten-day worship of the Goddess Durga. The festival is
characterised by large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas,
as well as by traditional Bengali drumming and veneration of the
goddess.
Kumbh Mela
(festival of the sacred Pitcher) 2017
It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during
which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. The festival is
held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik every four years by
rotation
Yoga 2016
A practise involving poses, meditation, controlled breathing, chanting,
and techniques to achieve self-realisation. Traditionally, it is
transmitted through the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-disciple
tradition).
Nuvroz 2016
It is celebrated as the Parsis New Year. An important tradition practised
during this time is the gathering around ‘the Table’, decorated with
objects that symbolise purity, brightness, livelihood and wealth, to
enjoy a special meal with loved ones.
Traditional Brass and Copper
Craft of Utensil Making
among the Thatheras of
Jandiala Guru in Punjab
2014
An oral tradition passed through generations of the Thathera
community.
z It involves heating and moulding metals like brass, copper, and Kansa
into functional and ritualistic utensils.
z Recommended in Ayurveda texts for medicinal purposes.
z Patronised by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century.
Sankirtana, ritual singing,
drumming and dancing of
Manipur
2013
It is a Manipuri ritual art form that combines singing, drumming, and
dancing to mark religious occasions and stages in the lives of Manipuri
Vaishnavites. It is performed at temples, narrating the life and deeds
of Lord Krishna.
Chhau dance 2010
The Tribal martial art dance has three subgenres: Purulia Chhau
(West Bengal), Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand), and Mayurbhanj Chhau
(Odisha).
z Primarily during the spring festival, lasting 13 days, with community-
wide participation.
z Performed by male dancers at night, enacting episodes from epics
including the Mahabharata and Ramayana and local folklore.
z Dancers wear masks, except for Mayurbhanj Chhau.
Kalbelia folk songs and
dances of Rajasthan 2010
It is performed by the Kalbelia tribe in Rajasthan, known for their
snake-catching and trading occupations. Songs and dances are
expressions of the Kalbelia community’s traditional way of life. Women
in flowing black skirts dance and swirl, replicating the movements of
a serpent, while men accompany them on the Khanjari percussion
instrument and the Poongi, a woodwind instrument traditionally
played to capture snakes.
Kutiyattam (Sanskrit
Theatre) 2008
Kutiyattam represents a synthesis of Sanskrit classicism and reflects
the local traditions of Kerala.
z It is traditionally performed in theatres called Kuttampalams, which
are located in Hindu temples.
z The actor’s art lies in elaborating a situation or episode in all its detail.
Therefore, a single act may take days to perform and a complete
performance may last up to 40 days.
Ramlila 2008
Ramlila, literally “Rama’s play”, is a performance of epic Ramayana in a
series of scenes that include song, narration, recital and dialogue. It is
performed across northern India during the festival of Dussehra.
The Tradition in Vedic
Chanting 2008
It is among the oldest unbroken oral traditions, involving several
Ramman 2009
It is a religious festival and ritual theatre celebrated in Saloor-Dungra
villages, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, to honour the village deity
Bhumiyal Devta with offerings in the village temple courtyard. Key
aspects include the singing of Jagar, and narrating local legends.
Mudiyettuu 2010
It is traditional ritual theatre, folk dance, and drama in Kerala
depicting the battle between Goddess Kali and the demon Darika.
z Performed in village temples (Bhagavati Kavus) from February to
May, post-harvest.
z Performers wear heavy makeup, gorgeous attire, facial painting, and
tall headgear, embodying the supernatural.
Kalbelia folk songs and
dances of Rajasthan 2010
It is performed by the Kalbelia tribe in Rajasthan, known for their
snake-catching and trading occupations. Songs and dances are
expressions of the Kalbelia community’s traditional way of life. Women
in flowing black skirts dance and swirl, replicating the movements of
a serpent, while men accompany them on the Khanjari percussion
instrument and the Poongi, a woodwind instrument traditionally
played to capture snakes.
