Garba

1. UNESCO recognizes Gujarat’s traditional dance form, ‘Garba,’ as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2. Garba becomes the 15th cultural item from India on the UNESCO list, following Kolkata’s Durga Puja two years ago.
3. This prestigious recognition highlights the cultural richness and diversity of India’s heritage.

Gandhinagar, Dec 07: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted prestigious recognition to Gujarat’s traditional dance form, ‘Garba.’ This inclusion marks the 15th cultural item from India to secure a spot on the UNESCO list, with Kolkata’s Durga Puja being the last addition two years ago.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, during its 18th session in Kasane, Botswana, inscribed ‘Garba of Gujarat’ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This decision aligns with the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Garba: A Ritualistic Dance Celebrating Feminine Energy: Described as a ritualistic and devotional dance, Garba is performed throughout the State of Gujarat and across India. Celebrated for nine days during the festival of Navaratri, Garba is dedicated to the worship of feminine energy or Shakti. The dance serves as a cultural, performative, and visual expression of this divine feminine energy, taking place in various settings, including homes, temple courtyards, public spaces, and large open grounds. It evolves into an all-encompassing participatory community event.

Unique Manifestation of Divine Feminine Worship: Garba holds a unique place in the worship of the divine feminine, embodying the celebration of the primordial goddess. It serves as a distinctive cultural expression deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality.

Tim Curtis’s Perspective: Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office for South Asia and UNESCO Representative for Bhutan, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, expressed optimism about Garba’s inscription. He hopes this recognition ensures the sustainability of the tradition and inspires communities, especially the youth, to continue preserving the knowledge, skills, and oral traditions associated with Garba.

Global Showcase and Celebrations: In celebration of this recognition, a troupe of eight dancers from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) presented Garba at the UNESCO meeting venue. Across Gujarat, the Government organized curated Garba events to commemorate this milestone.

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PM Modi’s Reaction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his joy over this global honor, emphasizing Garba as a celebration of life, unity, and deep-rooted traditions. He expressed that its inscription on the Intangible Heritage List showcases the beauty of Indian culture, inspiring a commitment to preserve and promote this heritage for future generations.

New Inscriptions: Apart from ‘Garba of Gujarat,’ several other cultural elements received UNESCO recognition, including Rickshaws and Rickshaw painting in Dhaka from Bangladesh, Songkran in Thailand (traditional Thai New Year festival), Hiragasy (a performing art of the Central Highlands of Madagascar), Junkanoo from the Bahamas, and the Procession and celebrations of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday in Sudan, among others.

Diverse Intangible Cultural Heritage: The UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity currently comprises 704 elements from 143 countries and 5 regions. It serves as a testament to the diversity of intangible heritage, raising awareness of its significance and cultural richness.