Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Paruveta Festival at Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple  in Ahobilam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 181 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## PARUVETA FESTIVAL AT SRI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE IN AHOBILAM

## 181. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  preservation  and  popularization  of intangible cultural heritage as declared by UNESCO;
- b) whether the Government is making efforts to get the annual "Paruveta" festival celebrated at the  Sri  Narasimha  Swamy  Temple  in  Ahobilam  as  an  intangible  cultural  heritage  by UNESCO;
- c) whether the Government intends to conduct a survey of all the intangible cultural heritage practices in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether  the  Government  intends  to  create  a  separate  nodal  agency  for  promotion  and preservation of intangible cultural heritage practices in the country; and
- e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- a) In  line  with  UNESCO's  2003  Convention  for  the  Safeguarding  of  the  Intangible  Cultural Heritage (ICH), India has made significant contributions towards the preservation and promotion of its living cultural traditions. As of July 2025, a total of fifteen elements from India have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (List at Annexure) I)The  latest  inscription  from  India  is  Garba  of  Gujarat,  inscribed  in  December  2023.  As  per UNESCO's  latest  Operational  Directives,  each  member  state  is  permitted  to  nominate  only  one element every two years for possible inscription. In this context, India has nominated the 'Deepavali' Festival  for  the  2024-25  cycle.  The  nomination  will  be  considered  during  the  20th  session  of  the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled to be held in New Delhi in December 2025.

To  further  strengthen  efforts  for  the  preservation,  promotion,  and  dissemination  of  India's cultural  legacy,  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  Government  of  India,  has  launched  the  Brihattar  Bharat (Greater  India)  Project.  This  flagship  initiative,  primarily  implemented  through  the  Indira  Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), focuses on presenting India's civilization continuity through a comprehensive narrative connecting mythology, history, science, archaeology, literature, and contemporary relevance. The project emphasizes mapping, curating, and digitally integrating tangible and  intangible  cultural  heritage,  fostering  public  engagement  through  exhibitions,  digital  platforms, and capacity-building initiatives. It particularly seeks to strengthen India's cultural linkages with the global  community,  especially  in  regions  with  historical  and  cultural  connections  to  India,  while promoting a deeper understanding of the country's rich intangible cultural heritage.

As  a  key  component  of  these  national  efforts,  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  (SNA)  has  been designated  by  the  Ministry  of  Culture  as  the  nodal  agency  for  coordinating  India's  nominations  to various  UNESCO  ICH  lists.  SNA  is  also  responsible  for  developing  and  maintaining  the  National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, adding elements to the list with the approval of its Advisory Body. The Akademi undertakes regular documentation and digital archiving of performing arts and other ICH elements, particularly those classified as 'Work in Progress,' ensuring systematic preservation.  SNA  also  conducts  capacity-building  workshops  across  India  to  train and  raise awareness among  local  communities,  cultural practitioners, stakeholders, and students.  These initiatives  have  resulted  in  a  notable  increase  in  requests  from  various  regions  for  the  inclusion  of elements in the National Inventory. In addition, SNA confers awards upon distinguished artists as a means  of  promoting  and  recognizing  contributions  towards  safeguarding  ICH  and  contributes  to academic and public understanding through its extensive publication programme comprising journals, books,  and  monographs.  Furthermore,  under  the ' Scheme for  Safeguarding  the  Intangible  Heritage and  Diverse  Cultural  Traditions  of  India ,' operational  from  2013  to  2016,  financial  assistance  was provided to various organizations, civil society groups, local communities, and individuals engaged in preserving  and  promoting  ICH  elements.  Through  these  comprehensive  and  coordinated  measures, India  continues  to  reaffirm  its  commitment  to  safeguarding  and  popularizing  its  diverse  intangible cultural heritage in accordance with UNESCO's global objectives.

- b) No such proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Culture.
- c) No such proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Culture.

d) & (e) The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has designated Sangeet Natak Akademi as the  nodal  agency  for  coordinating  India's  nominations  to  various  UNESCO  Intangible  Cultural Heritage (ICH) lists, as well as for undertaking related responsibilities such as the development and maintenance of the National Inventory of ICH.

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Annexure-I Indian ICH heritage inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the ICH of Humanity

|   S. No. | ICH Heritage                                                                                                                    |   Year of Inscription |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
|        1 | Tradition of Vedic chanting                                                                                                     |                  2008 |
|        2 | Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana                                                                            |                  2008 |
|        3 | Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre                                                                                                    |                  2008 |
|        4 | Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India                                                   |                  2009 |
|        5 | Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala                                                                             |                  2010 |
|        6 | Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan                                                                                     |                  2010 |
|        7 | Chhau dance                                                                                                                     |                  2010 |
|        8 | Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India |                  2012 |
|        9 | Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur                                                                     |                  2013 |
|       10 | Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India                        |                  2014 |
|       11 | Yoga                                                                                                                            |                  2016 |
|       12 | Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz                              |                  2016 |
|       13 | Kumbh Mela                                                                                                                      |                  2017 |
|       14 | Durga Puja in Kolkata                                                                                                           |                  2021 |
|       15 | Garba of Gujarat                                                                                                                |                  2023 |

Furthermore, 'Deepavali' has been nominated from India for inscription on the list in 2024-25 cycle.

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