Nitin Singhania Summary: UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage- 1 | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Koodiyattam (Sanskrit Theatre),

• Included in 2008, it is a combined dance drama from Kerala performed by the Chakyars and Ambalavasi Nambiar caste.
• Themes based on Hindu mythology, lasting 6 to 20 days, mainly enacted in temples.
• Features the character 'Vidushaka' narrating in Malayalam while other characters use Sanskrit.

Ramlila

• Included in 2008, it is a folk theatre in Uttar Pradesh enacting Ramayana through songs, dances, and dialogues.
• Staged annually over 10 or more nights during 'Sharad Navaratras'.
• Unique adaptation at Bakshi ka Talab near Lucknow promotes communal harmony.
  Ramlila

The Tradition in Vedic Chanting

• Included in 2008, it is an oral tradition of reciting Vedic mantras, considered the oldest unbroken oral tradition.
• Fixation of Vedic texts dating roughly to the early Iron Age.
  
  Question for Nitin Singhania Summary: UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage- 1

  Try yourself:

  Which element of intangible cultural heritage is known for enacting Hindu mythology through songs, dances, and dialogues?

  • A.

    Koodiyattam (Sanskrit Theatre)
  • B.

    Ramlila
  • C.

    The Tradition in Vedic Chanting
  • D.

    None of the above

  Explanation

  - Ramlila is a folk theatre in Uttar Pradesh that enacts the Hindu epic Ramayana through songs, dances, and dialogues.
  - It is staged annually over 10 or more nights during the 'Sharad Navaratras' festival.
  - Ramlila promotes communal harmony and is a unique adaptation of the Ramayana story.
  - Koodiyattam is a combined dance drama from Kerala that focuses on themes from Hindu mythology, but it does not involve songs, dances, and dialogues like Ramlila.
  - The Tradition in Vedic Chanting is an oral tradition of reciting Vedic mantras and is not specifically related to enacting Hindu mythology.
  
  As a teacher, it is important for students to understand the different elements of intangible cultural heritage and their characteristics. This question helps assess their knowledge of Ramlila and its role in preserving and showcasing Hindu mythology.

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Ramman

• Included in 2009, it is a religious festival and ritual theatre celebrated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
• Unique to Saloor-Dungra village, paying homage to the village deity, Bhumiyal Devta.
• Features singing of Jagar, a musical rendition of local legends.

Ramman Festival

Mudiyettu

• Included in 2010. it is a traditional ritual theatre in Kerala depicting the battle between Goddess Kali and demon Darika.
• Performed in village temples after the harvesting season, with heavy make-up and elaborate attire.

Kalbelia

• Included in 2010, it is a dance performed by the Kalbelia tribe in Rajasthan resembling serpent movements.
• Songs based on mythology with spontaneous composition and improvisation during performances.

Chhau

• Included in 2010, it is a tribal martial dance performed in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal during the spring festival.
• Three sub-genres: Purulia Chhau, Seraikella Chhau, and Mayurbhanj Chhau, based on origin and development.
• Blend of dance and martial practices with themes from Hindu mythology, featuring masks worn by dancers.

Chhau

Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh

•  Included in 2012, it is a recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, relating to both Mahayana and Vajrayana sects.

Sankirtana

• Included in 2013, it is a ritual singing, drumming, and dancing art form in Manipur, narrating the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
• Brings communities together on festive occasions, reinforcing communal relationships.
  
  Question for Nitin Singhania Summary: UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage- 1

  Try yourself:

  Which intangible cultural heritage includes a dance drama performed by the Chakyars and Ambalavasi Nambiar caste?

  • A.

    Ramlila
  • B.

    Koodiyattam
  • C.

    Mudiyettu
  • D.

    Kalbelia

  Explanation

  - Koodiyattam is an intangible cultural heritage that includes a dance drama performed by the Chakyars and Ambalavasi Nambiar caste.
  - It is a combined dance drama from Kerala that showcases themes based on Hindu mythology.
  - The performances last for 6 to 20 days and are mainly enacted in temples.
  - The character 'Vidushaka' narrates in Malayalam while other characters use Sanskrit.
  - This tradition was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.

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Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making among the Thathera Community of Jandiala Guru in Punjab 

• Included in 2014, oral tradition passed down through generations, involving heating and molding metals into thin plates with curved shapes.
• Utensils serve functional and ritualistic purposes, using metals like brass, copper, and kansa.

Lord Krishna

Nowrouz

•  Included in 2016, it is a New Year festival for Parsis, celebrated as the spring festival by the Kashmiri community.
• Customs include laying out symbolic items signifying prosperity, wealth, and happiness.

Yoga

• Included in 2016, it is a series of poses, meditation, controlled breathing, and chanting techniques to attain self-realization.
• Traditionally taught through the Guru-Shishya parampara.

Kumbh Mela

• Included in 2017, it is a mass Hindu pilgrimage to sacred rivers held at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
• Held every 12 years, with variations in timing and names at different locations.

Kumbh Mela

Durga Puja in Kolkata

• Included in 2021, it is an annual festival celebrated magnificently in West Bengal, marking the worship of the Hindu mother goddess Durga.
• Main attractions include pandals, decorations, sculptures, and communal gatherings.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

• Created in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities focusing on creativity for sustainable urban development.
• Covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music.
• Six Indian cities incorporated into UCCN as of July 2023: Srinagar, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, and Varanasi.