Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: India’s Efforts

Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: India’s Efforts

India, a land of unparalleled cultural diversity, possesses a rich tapestry of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) that is integral to its identity. This living heritage, passed down through generations, encompasses a wide array of expressions from performing arts to traditional knowledge systems. Recognizing the profound value and fragility of these traditions, India has embarked on comprehensive efforts to safeguard its ICH, aligning with global conventions and implementing national policies to ensure their continuity.

Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. It provides communities with a sense of identity and continuity, playing a crucial role in fostering cultural diversity and human creativity. Its key domains include:

• Oral traditions and expressions, including language.

• Performing arts (such as traditional music, dance, theatre, puppetry).

• Social practices, rituals, and festive events.

• Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.

• Traditional craftsmanship.

India’s Policy Framework for ICH

India’s commitment to ICH preservation is underscored by its ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2007. The Indian Constitution, through articles like 51A(f) and 51A(j), implicitly supports valuing and preserving the nation’s composite culture. The Ministry of Culture serves as the nodal agency, overseeing policy formulation and implementation through various initiatives and autonomous cultural institutions.

Key Institutions and Initiatives

Several institutions and programs are instrumental in India’s ICH preservation efforts:

• Ministry of Culture: Formulates national policies, provides financial assistance, and coordinates with various cultural organizations for safeguarding ICH.

• Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA): India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. SNA plays a crucial role in documenting, promoting, and preserving performing arts, folk, and tribal traditions across the country through grants, awards, and festivals.

• Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): Engages in extensive research, documentation, publication, and dissemination of information related to Indian arts and culture, including its intangible forms.

• Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs): Seven regional centres promote cultural traditions at the grassroots level, fostering cultural exchange and preserving local heritage through diverse programs and festivals.

• National Mission on Cultural Mapping: Aims to create a comprehensive database of artists, art forms, and cultural assets across India, including ICH elements, to aid in their protection and promotion.

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tags: While primarily for tangible products, GI tags indirectly protect traditional knowledge and craftsmanship associated with specific regions, such as various traditional textiles and handicrafts.

India’s UNESCO ICH Inscriptions

India has successfully inscribed numerous elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reflecting its rich and diverse cultural landscape:

• Vedic Chanting (2008): The tradition of oral recitation of sacred Vedic texts, representing ancient ritualistic and philosophical knowledge.

• Ramlila, the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana (2008): A dramatic enactment of the life of Rama, performed annually across India during Dussehra.

• Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre (2008): One of the oldest living theatrical traditions from Kerala, characterized by elaborate ritualistic and dramatic elements.

• Ramman, Religious Festival and Ritual Theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009): A unique ritual festival from Uttarakhand, combining theatre, music, and oral narratives.

• Mudiyettu, Ritual Theatre and Dance Drama of Kerala (2010): A traditional ritualistic dance drama performed in Bhagavati temples, depicting the mythological tale of goddess Kali.

• Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (2010): Performances by the Kalbelia community, characterized by swirling movements and distinctive music.

• Chhau Dance (2010): A semi-classical Indian dance with martial, tribal, and folk origins, found in three distinct regional styles.

• Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh (2012): Sacred recitation of Buddhist texts, a vital part of monastic life in the Trans-Himalayan region.

• Sankirtana, Ritual Singing, Drumming and Dancing of Manipur (2013): A performing art form rooted in the Vaishnava faith, involving devotional music, drumming, and dance.

• Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014): The craft of a community specializing in making brass and copper utensils using ancient techniques.

• Yoga (2016): An ancient Indian practice encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, recognized globally for its holistic benefits.

• Nawruz (2016): The spring equinox celebration, marking the New Year, observed by communities across the Indian subcontinent (shared inscription with multiple countries).

• Kumbh Mela (2017): The largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on Earth, a spiritual bathing festival held periodically at four sacred rivers in India.

• Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021): A vibrant annual Hindu festival celebrated in Kolkata, West Bengal, and across India, honouring the goddess Durga.

Challenges in ICH Preservation

Despite significant efforts, India faces several challenges in safeguarding its ICH:

• Globalization and Modernization: Rapid socio-economic changes often lead to the erosion of traditional practices and knowledge systems.

• Intergenerational Transmission Gaps: Younger generations may show less interest in learning traditional crafts or performing arts, impacting continuity.

• Commercialization and Authenticity: The commodification of ICH can sometimes lead to superficial presentations, diluting the authenticity and original context.

• Lack of Documentation and Research: Many ICH elements, especially those of smaller communities, remain undocumented, making them vulnerable to disappearance.

• Funding and Infrastructure: Insufficient financial resources and inadequate infrastructure for training, promotion, and archiving pose significant hurdles.

Strategies for Effective Preservation

To overcome these challenges, India employs multi-faceted strategies:

• Documentation and Archiving: Comprehensive audio-visual documentation, textual records, and digital archiving are crucial for preserving details of ICH elements.

• Promotion and Dissemination: Organizing festivals, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural exchange programs to increase public awareness and appreciation.

• Capacity Building and Skill Development: Implementing ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ schemes and vocational training to ensure intergenerational transmission of traditional skills.

• Community Involvement: Empowering local communities, who are the custodians of ICH, to take the lead in identifying, safeguarding, and transmitting their heritage.

• Integration with Education: Introducing ICH elements into school curricula to sensitize younger generations and foster a sense of pride in their cultural roots.

• Policy and Legal Frameworks: Developing robust national policies and legal mechanisms to protect traditional intellectual property rights and prevent misappropriation.

Government Schemes and Policies

The Ministry of Culture implements various schemes to support ICH preservation:

• Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture (SFPAC): Provides financial grants to individuals, groups, and organizations for cultural activities, including ICH promotion.

• Scheme of Grant-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations for Promotion of Art and Culture: Supports non-governmental organizations in their efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage.

• Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP): Engages youth in heritage awareness and preservation activities to foster future custodians.

• Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India: Specifically targets documentation, research, promotion, and revitalization of India’s diverse ICH forms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)?

ICH encompasses practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge about nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.

2. Which Indian institution is primarily responsible for promoting performing arts and folk traditions?

The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama, plays a pivotal role in preserving, promoting, and documenting various Indian performing arts, folk, and tribal traditions through awards, grants, and festivals.

3. Name two Indian ICH elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List.

Two prominent Indian ICH elements on UNESCO’s list are “Vedic Chanting” (2008), representing ancient oral traditions, and “Yoga” (2016), an ancient Indian practice recognized globally for its holistic benefits.

4. What are some key challenges in preserving India’s ICH?

Key challenges include the impact of globalization and modernization, intergenerational transmission gaps due to declining interest, commercialization affecting authenticity, insufficient documentation, and limited financial resources for preservation efforts.

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