Context: Recently, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Durga Puja

• It is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent.
• Durga Puja is celebrated predominantly by the Bengali community.
• In this, homage to the Hindu goddess Durga is paid.

Significance of this festival

• It acknowledges the festival’s contribution in sustaining and safeguarding a multitude of traditional arts and crafts, well-being and economic empowerment of communities, and energizing creativity.
• Earlier this year (2021), the British Council in India had mapped the creative economy of Durga Puja to over Rs. 32,000 crore for the year 2019 and added that the festival contributes 2.58% of West Bengal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

• UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• The members of committee are elected by State Parties meeting in a General Assembly.
• Aim:  Ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.

Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested:

• Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage.
• Performing arts
• Social practices, rituals and festive events
• Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
• Traditional craftsmanship

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage places of India