Key Points
Ratha Yatra and Bali Yatra added to National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Odisha eyes UNESCO global recognition
Sangeet Natak Akademi leads India’s heritage nominations
15 Indian traditions already on UNESCO’s ICH list
Calling the development as a proud moment for the people of Odisha, CM Majhi also said that the state is looking forward to the global recognition of the timeless tradition of Odisha by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"Delighted that Ratha Jatra & Bali Jatra, symbols of Odisha's rich cultural heritage, have been listed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage by @sangeetnatak. This is a proud moment for every Odia, and we look forward to their well-deserved recognition on @UNESCO'sglobal stage," wrote CM Majhi on his X handle on Monday.
It is pertinent here to mention that in fulfillment of its obligations under the UNESCO convention on ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage), a statute to which India is a signatory, the Ministry of Culture, has declared the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's apex body on culture, as the nodal centre for coordinating India's nominations for various lists and other actions such as developing and maintaining the National Inventory of ICH.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi's nomination as the ICH Nodal agency has been endorsed, as required by the Akademi's constitution, by its duly constituted Executive Board and General Council.
These intangible heritage elements following approval are later placed on the UNESCO Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
As many as 15 intangible cultural heritage elements of India have been on the prestigious UNESCO's Representative List of ICH of Humanity. The list of ICH of India includes the Gujarati folk dance Garba, Kolkata's Durga Puja, Chau Dance, etc. The UNESCO ICH refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, and cultural spaces that are recognized as part of the cultural heritage of a community, group, or individual.
