UNESCO Recognition to Gujarat's Garba Dance

• 07 Dec 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its 18^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in Botswana, officially added Gujarat's iconic Garba dance to its esteemed Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) of Humanity.

• The Garba dance form is the 15^th cultural item from India to make it to the UNESCO list. Kolkata’s Durga Puja was the last one added in 2021.

What is the Garba Dance?

• Garba is a form of Gujarati folk dance that is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri, which celebrates the victory of good over evil.
  • The name Garba comes from the Sanskrit word for womb, implying life and creation.
• Garba dances celebrate fertility, honor womanhood, and pay respect to any of an array of mother goddesses.
  • The dance also customarily marks a girl’s first menstrual cycle and, later, her imminent marriage.
• The dance is performed around a centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti, who represents the feminine energy of the universe.
• Garba is accompanied by rhythmic music, singing, and clapping. The dance can be performed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status.
• Modern Garba is heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas, a dance traditionally performed by men. The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy Garba dance that is seen today.
• Garba fosters social equality by diluting socio-economic, gender, and rigid sect structures.
  • It continues to be inclusive and participative by diverse and marginalized communities, strengthening community bonds.

What is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)?

• About:
  • UNESCO ICH is a term that refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, and cultural spaces that are recognized as part of the cultural heritage of a community, group, or individual.
  • UNESCO defines ICH as “the mainspring of humanity’s cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.”
  • In 2003, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), signifying a commitment to protect, promote, and transmit the diverse expressions of human culture.
  • The convention establishes two crucial lists for ICH.
    • Representative List: Showcasing the global diversity of ICH, this list raises awareness of its significance and importance.
    • Urgent Safeguarding List: Identifying threatened ICH, this list calls for immediate measures to ensure its survival.
• Examples of ICH:
  • Languages, oral traditions, literature, and poetry.
  • Performing arts, such as music, dance, and theatre.
  • Social practices, rituals, and festive events.
  • Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.
  • Traditional craftsmanship, such as pottery, weaving, and metalwork.
• Existing UNESCO's ICH list of India:

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Mains

Q.1 Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018)