INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: Recently, UNESCO approved the inclusion of Gujarat's traditional Garba dance in its 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.'

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

• About: UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.
• List Published by: Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Established: In 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.
• Gujarat's Garba dance: It is the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage element from India to join this list. 
• The addition highlights Garba's pivotal role as a unifying force that fosters social and gender inclusivity, according to an official press release.

Garba Dance

• About: It is a form of Gujarati dance which originates from the state of Gujarat, India.

oIt is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri, which is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or ‘Shakti’. 

oThe dance takes place around a perforated earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp, or an image of the mother goddess Amba.

• Modern Garba is also heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas, a dance traditionally performed by men.