Deepavali enters intangible heritage list

 WHY IS IT IN NEWS?

• UNESCO has officially inscribed Deepavali on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
• The decision was announced at the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee held in New Delhi at the Red Fort.
• Delegates from 194 member states, international experts, and Indian officials, including the Union Culture Minister, participated.
• The inscription highlights Deepavali’s global cultural significance and its contribution to social cohesion and traditional craftsmanship.

Relevance

GS-I – Indian Culture

• Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) under UNESCO 2003 Convention
• Festivals as living traditions; craft ecosystems (diyas, rangoli, artisanal work)
• Social cohesion, rituals, intergenerational transmission

GS-II – International Relations

• Cultural diplomacy & soft power
• India’s increasing presence in UNESCO heritage lists
• UNESCO committees & global heritage governance

WHAT IS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (ICH)?

a) Definition

Under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention, Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to:

• Living traditions, expressions, and knowledge passed across generations.
  Examples include:
• Festivals
• Oral traditions
• Performing arts
• Rituals
• Traditional crafts
• Social practices and community knowledge

b) Purpose of inscription

• Safeguard cultural practices
• Promote awareness and respect for cultural diversity
• Support communities preserving traditions
• Strengthen international cultural cooperation

c) Representative List of the ICH of Humanity

• A global list showcasing traditions with significant cultural value.
• Deepavali now joins the list, alongside other Indian entries such as:
  • Yoga
  • Kumbh Mela
  • Durga Puja
  • Ramlila
  • Kalbelia dance
  • Vedic chanting

WHAT THE UNESCO INSCRIPTION RECOGNISES ABOUT DEEPAVALI ?

a) A “living heritage”

UNESCO acknowledges Deepavali as a cultural practice kept alive by millions through:

• Community celebrations
• Intergenerational transmission
• Craft-based traditions

b) Key cultural dimensions

1. Strengthens social bonds
   1. Family gatherings, community rituals, shared customs.
2. Supports traditional craftsmanship
   1. Potters making traditional ‘diyas’
   2. Artisans engaged in rangoli, décor, textiles, metalwork
3. Encourages generosity and well-being
   1. Charity, gift-giving, community welfare activities
4. Contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
   1. SDG 11: Sustainable cities & cultural heritage
   2. SDG 8: Livelihoods for artisans and craftspeople
   3. SDG 16: Stronger social cohesion and community trust

WHY DEEPAVALI QUALIFIES AS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ?

A) Wide geographic spread

• Celebrated across India and globally (South Asia, Southeast Asia, diaspora communities).

B) Multiple cultural layers

• Religious significance
• Harvest symbolism
• Seasonal rituals
• Community bonding traditions

C) Strong craft and livelihood ecosystem

• Millions of traditional workers participate in the festival economy, including:
  • Potters
  • Decorative artisans
  • Sweet makers
  • Farmers producing festival-linked crops
  • Priests and local craft guilds

D) Deep continuity

• Multimillennial tradition with consistent cultural transmission.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INSCRIPTION FOR INDIA

1. Global recognition

• Enhances India’s cultural presence and soft power.
• Highlights India’s diversity and heritage diplomacy.

2. Preservation and documentation

• UNESCO tag encourages:
  • Cultural mapping
  • Safeguarding measures
  • Financial and institutional support

3. Benefits for traditional livelihoods

• Craftspeople and artisans gain visibility, market value, and protection of traditional crafts.
• Opportunities for sustainable tourism and cultural industries.

4. Strengthens the RTI of culture

• Reinforces India’s role in shaping global cultural narratives.
• Enhances people-to-people diplomacy.

NATIONAL CONTEXT OF THE EVENT

• The Union Culture Minister described the inscription as a moment of immense pride.
• Special emphasis placed on the people-centric nature of Deepavali, acknowledging contributions of artisans and ordinary households.
• The Prime Minister described the recognition as reflecting Deepavali’s role in India’s cultural ethos and civilisational identity.

BROADER CONTEXT: UNESCO AND INDIA’S HERITAGE DIPLOMACY

India’s growing heritage presence

• Multiple Indian traditions have been added to UNESCO lists in recent years.
• India’s cultural diplomacy aims to highlight:
  • Civilisational depth
  • Community cultural practices
  • Sustainable craft ecosystems
  • Plurality of festivals and traditions

UNESCO ICH helps India in:

• Cultural tourism
• Global image-building
• Protection of traditional knowledge systems
• Strengthening artisan-based rural economies

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