Lok Sabha Question No. 2435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2435

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DIVERSE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF INDIA

## SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

## †2435.    SMT. BHARTI PARDHI: SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  progress  made  under  the  "Scheme  for  Safeguarding  the  Intangible  Cultural  Heritage  and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India" since its inception, particularly in identifying, documenting and promoting endangered intangible specific cultural heritage;
- (b) the number of specific intangible cultural heritage formally recognised and supported under the scheme along with geographical distribution of these initiatives;
- (c)  the  strategy  of  the  Government  to  directly  involve  local  communities  and  artists  in  the preservation and promotion of their traditional art forms and practices particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; and
- (d) the details of the special efforts being made by the Government to promote endangered cultural heritage and art for Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

a)      A  Scheme  titled  'Scheme  for  Safeguarding  the  Intangible  Heritage  and  Diverse  Cultural Traditions of India' was operational between 2013-2016. However Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) conducts  capacity  building  workshops  aimed  at  training  and  raising  awareness  about  Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The workshop engages local communities, cultural practitioners, stakeholders, and students. As a result of these initiatives, there has been a significant increase in requests from across India for the inclusion of elements in the National Inventory. Documentation and digital archiving of performing arts and other ICH elements-especially those on the 'Work in Progress'  list-are  being  carried  out  on  a  regular  basis.  These  efforts  contribute  not  only  to  the digital preservation of ICH but also support students and researchers pursuing higher studies in these fields. In addition, awards are conferred upon artists to promote and raise awareness of various ICH elements. The Akademi contributes to both academic and public understanding of Indian performing arts and ICH elements through its extensive publication program, which includes journals, books, and monographs.

- b)  The details of elements inscribed on the National Inventory till date is enclosed at Annexure.

c)  The Ministry through Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) maintains both the National Inventory and the 'Work-in-Progress' list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements, based on requests and submissions  from  local  communities,  civil  society  organisations,  and  other  stakeholders.  The inclusion of these elements helps enhance both the preservation and outreach of the respective art forms.  Currently,  a  total  of  six  elements  from  both  states  combined  have  been  included  in  the National Inventory. For more details, please refer to: https://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/sections/ICH

SNA  also  conducts  various  capacity-building  workshops  and  training  programmes  that  actively involve  local  communities  and  artists.  Furthermore,  by  conferring  awards  to  artists  for  their contributions  to  specific  art  forms,  SNA  encourages  community  participation  and  promotes recognition of their cultural heritage.

d)  The  inclusion  of  Pandharpur  Vari  and  Dashavatar:  Traditional  Folk  Theatre  in  the  National Inventory  maintained  by  the  SNA  under  this  Ministry,  plays  a  significant  role  in  promoting  the performing  arts  of  Maharashtra.  The  documentation  and  archiving  of  these  traditions  help  create greater  outreach  and  serve  as  valuable  resources  for  those  interested  in  studying  these  art  forms. Additionally,  the  publication  of  journals  and  other  materials  on  these  elements  contributes  to  the preservation and promotion of endangered cultural practices. Moreover, performances held during various  workshops  and  seminars  further  enhance  public  awareness  and  appreciation  of  these traditions.

*****

## Annexure referred in part (b) of Lok Sabha unstarred Question No.2435 regarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India

|   S.No. | Element                                              | State/Region                                                |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre                         | Kerala                                                      |
|       2 | Ramlila - The Traditional Performance OfThe Ramayana | Uttar Pradesh                                               |
|       3 | Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz, Nevruz      | Multinational Nomination                                    |
|       4 | Ramman: Religious Festival And Ritual Theatre        | Uttarakhand                                                 |
|       5 | Chhau Dance                                          | Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal                              |
|       6 | Kalbelia: Folk Songs And Dances                      | Rajasthan                                                   |
|       7 | Mudiyettu: Ritual Theatre And Dance Drama            | Kerala                                                      |
|       8 | Buddhist Chanting Of Ladakh                          | Ladakh                                                      |
|       9 | Sankirtana: Ritual Singing, Drumming And Dancing     | Manipur                                                     |
|      10 | Thatheras Of Jandiala Guru                           | Punjab                                                      |
|      11 | Yoga                                                 | Pan-India (inscribed by India)                              |
|      12 | Sowa Rigpa                                           | Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh                                    |
|      13 | Kolam                                                | Tamil Nadu                                                  |
|      14 | Music And Knowledge OfThe Veena                      | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (broadly South India) |
|      15 | Chaar Bayt                                           | Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan                    |
|      16 | Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani Kettukazhacha         | Kerala                                                      |
|      17 | Shadow Puppet Theatre Traditions Of India            | Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha       |
|      18 | Sattriya Music, Dance And Theatre                    | Assam                                                       |
|      19 | Patola: Double Ikat Silk Textiles                    | Gujarat                                                     |
|      20 | Lama Dances Of Sikkim                                | Sikkim                                                      |
|      21 | Turban Tying                                         | Rajasthan                                                   |
|      22 | Kalamkari Paintings                                  | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana                                   |
|      23 | Rathwa Ni Gher                                       | Gujarat                                                     |
|      24 | Sankheda Nu Lakh Kam                                 | Gujarat                                                     |
|      25 | Qawwali                                              | Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Pan- India                            |
|      26 | Jangam Gayan                                         | Haryana                                                     |
|      27 | Durga Puja In Kolkata                                | West Bengal                                                 |
|      28 | Hingan                                               | Rajasthan                                                   |
|      29 | Phad: Scroll Paintings And Their Narration           | Rajasthan                                                   |
|      30 | Nautanki                                             | Uttar Pradesh                                               |
|      31 | Ranmale                                              | Goa                                                         |
|      32 | Gaddi Jatar                                          | Himachal Pradesh                                            |
|      33 | The Festival Of Salhesh                              | Bihar                                                       |
|      34 | Nacha: Folk Theatre                                  | Chhattisgarh                                                |
|      35 | Dashavatar: Traditional Folk Theatre                 | Maharashtra, Goa                                            |

|   36 | Kumbh Mela                                    | Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|   37 | Tradition Of Vedic Chanting                   | Pan-India (notably Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka)        |
|   38 | Garba                                         | Gujarat                                                   |
|   39 | Deepavali                                     | Pan-India (focus in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc.)          |
|   40 | Rangpanchmi's Gerr                            | Madhya Pradesh                                            |
|   41 | Losar Festival                                | Ladakh                                                    |
|   42 | Meghalaya's Whistled Language                 | Meghalaya                                                 |
|   43 | Aranmula Metal Mirror, Vallasadya, Vallamkali | Kerala                                                    |
|   44 | Bali Jatra                                    | Odisha                                                    |
|   45 | Chhath Puja                                   | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand                           |
|   46 | Henna                                         | Multinational Nomination                                  |
|   47 | Bhagoriya Adivasi Nritya                      | Madhya Pradesh                                            |
|   48 | Gond Adivasi Chitrakala                       | Madhya Pradesh                                            |
|   49 | Lai Haraoba                                   | Manipur                                                   |
|   50 | Mahabharata Koothu Festival                   | Tamil Nadu                                                |
|   51 | Narmada Parikrama                             | Madhya Pradesh                                            |
|   52 | Pandharpur Vari                               | Maharashtra                                               |
|   53 | Rath Yatra, Puri                              | Odisha                                                    |