The Ministry of Culture is organizing Sanskriti Kumbh, a 29 days cultural extravaganza at Kumbh Mela area, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. It is being conducted with intent to showcase the rich Cultural Heritage of India in all its rich and varied dimensions viz. – Performing Arts- Folk, Tribal and Classical art forms, Handicrafts, Cuisines, Exhibitions etc. all in one place.
What is Kumbh ? | UPSC IAS
Kumbh Mela is one of the oldest and largest congregation in the worldwhich is attended by millions of people irrespective of all caste, creed, sex and region.
The significance of Kumbh Mela has been enhanced at the Global level as the UNESCO has inscribed Kumbh Mela on the list of Intangible Cultural heritage for humanity in 2017.
The Kumbh Mela is held four times over the course of 12 years, in rotation between four Hindu pilgrimage
Kumbh Mela can be traced back in history through the writings of 7th century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang who came to India during the rule of Harshavardhana. The festival was also popularised among people by the eighth century saint Shankaracharya.
At Prayagraj,KumbhMela held at every 6 years and Maha Kumbh at every 12 years. Earlier they were known as Ardh Kumbh and Kumbh. But this year the government has announced the Ardh Kumbh will be known as Kumbh and Kumbh as Maha Kumbh.
Places on four sacred rivers:
Haridwar (banks of Ganga),
Prayagraj/Allahabad (Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati),
Nashik (banks of Godavari)
Ujjain (banks of Shipra).
UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage | UPSC IAS
It is a list which is prepared to promote the intangible heritage and contribute to a greater awareness of their importance and was formed after Convention for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect.
Intergovernmental Committee for safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meets and evaluates the nominations proposed by member states after which the List is published every year.
UNESCO brings out two separate lists: | UPSC IAS
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (ICH)– It is made up of those intangible heritage elements which bring out the diversity of culture.
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding – It is made up of the intangible heritage elements which require urgent measures. It also helps to mobilize international cooperation
Intangible cultural heritage list of unesco for India upsc includes –
Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre, Kerala
Mudiyettu: a ritual theatre of Kerala
The Tradition of Vedic Chanting
Ramlila: the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana
Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas
Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
Chhau dance: 3 distinct styles from the regions of Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir
Sankirtana: ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab
