{"id":77375,"date":"2025-12-11T12:17:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T06:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=77375"},"modified":"2025-12-11T12:17:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T06:47:13","slug":"deepavali-in-unesco-intangible-heritage-list-significance-criteria-indias-living-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/deepavali-in-unesco-intangible-heritage-list-significance-criteria-indias-living-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Deepavali in UNESCO Intangible Heritage List: Significance, Criteria &#038; India\u2019s Living Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Deepavali Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, has been inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th Intergovernmental Committee session held at New Delhi\u2019s Red Fort.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is now the <\/span><b>16th Indian cultural element<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the prestigious list.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inscription recognises Deepavali as a living tradition continuously recreated by communities, fostering social cohesion and contributing to cultural continuity and development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Understanding UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Cultural Heritage List<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Cultural Heritage List recognises living traditions and skills \u2014 unlike monuments or archaeological sites.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It includes oral traditions, performing arts, festivals, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, and knowledge of nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These practices, such as India\u2019s Garba and Kumbh Mela or France\u2019s baguette-making, are passed across generations, strengthen cultural identity, and preserve humanity\u2019s shared heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How a Tradition Gets Inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Heritage List<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a cultural practice to be inscribed, UNESCO requires it to be <\/span><b>inclusive, representative, and rooted in the community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aim is to recognise living traditions that embody shared identity and social habits \u2014 such as France\u2019s baguette-making, which UNESCO says reflects everyday rituals and conviviality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To include an element on UNESCO\u2019s Representative List of ICH, states must submit a nomination dossier for evaluation. Each country can nominate one element every two years.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India nominated the \u2018Deepavali\u2019 Festival for the 2024\u201325 cycle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As globalisation and conflict threaten cultural diversity, UNESCO emphasises preserving these social histories.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The list also highlights traditions at risk: in 2022, four elements were marked for urgent safeguarding, including Vietnam\u2019s <\/span><b>Ch\u0103m pottery-making<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Chile\u2019s <\/span><b>Santa Cruz de Cuca pottery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Albania\u2019s <\/span><b>Xhubleta garment craft<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s traditional <\/span><b>Ahlat stonework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Cultural Heritages Recognised by UNESCO<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from Deepavali added in 2025, India has several cultural traditions inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Festivals &amp; Rituals:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Nowruz (2016), Ramman festival of Garhwal (2009).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Performing Arts &amp; Theatre:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sankirtana of Manipur (2013); Chhau dance, Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan, Mudiyettu of Kerala (2010); Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre and Ramlila (2008).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Oral &amp; Spiritual Traditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012); Vedic chanting (2008).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Traditional Craftsmanship:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Brass and copper utensil-making of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These entries reflect the diversity and richness of India\u2019s living heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Deepavali in UNESCO Intangible Heritage List<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepavali, India\u2019s iconic festival of lights, has been inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, alongside 19 other global traditions in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This came a year after West Bengal\u2019s Durga Puja made it to the prestigious list. The decision was taken during a key meeting of UNESCO being hosted at the Red Fort.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>What UNESCO Recognition Means for Deepavali<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepavali\u2019s inscription enhances the festival\u2019s global stature, strengthens efforts to preserve its traditions, and supports India\u2019s cultural diplomacy, including among the diaspora.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Intergovernmental Committee guiding the <\/span><b>2003 Convention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> promotes safeguarding measures, best practices, and funding support.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recognition also boosts tourism, fosters cultural exchange, and helps sustain the artisans and communities who keep Deepavali\u2019s living traditions vibrant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List 2025: Key Additions<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2025 Representative List features a diverse set of cultural traditions from across the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highlights include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Performing Arts &amp; Music<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Amateur theatre of Czechia; Cuarteto music of Argentina; Cuban Son; Joropo of Venezuela; Mvet Oyeng musical art of Central Africa.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Festivals &amp; Rituals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Deepavali (India); Gifaataa New Year festival (Ethiopia); Festivity of the Virgen of Guadalupe (Bolivia); Christmas Bram and Sambai (Belize).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Crafts &amp; Traditional Skills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Brussels\u2019 rod marionettes; Behzad\u2019s miniature art (Afghanistan); Bisht weaving and practices across West Asia; Tangail saree weaving (Bangladesh); zaffa wedding tradition in parts of the Arab world.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Culinary Heritage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Commandaria wine (Cyprus); Koshary dish traditions (Egypt).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Community Practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Guruna pastoral retreats (Chad\u2013Cameroon); family circus tradition (Chile); Confraternity of flowers and palms (El Salvador); bagpipe craftsmanship in Bulgaria.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-culture\/diwali-unesco-heritage-list-10413269\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IE<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/deepavali-festival-unesco-full-list-2025-intangible-cultural-heritage-humanity-10412411\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IE<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2201375&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deepavali enters UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Learn what the list means, how traditions qualify, and India\u2019s other recognised cultural elements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":77397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[4139,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-77375","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-deepavali","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}