Deepavali Enters Intangible Heritage List
Context:
India's nomination for Deepavali (the festival of light) was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity for 2025
The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is underway from December 8 to 13 at the Red Fort.
This is the first time India is hosting UNESCO's ICH session.
Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for ICH matters of the Ministry of Culture.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):
Unlike tangible heritage (monuments, sites), the ICH list focuses on living traditions, skills, and expressions passed down through generations
It broadly covers five domains:
Oral traditions
Performing arts
Social practices, rituals, and festivals
Knowledge concerning nature/universe
Traditional craftsmanship
To be included, heritage must be inclusive, representative, and community-based
India's Presence on the List:
With this addition, India currently has 15 elements inscribed on the list.
Other notable Indian inscriptions include the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, Yoga, Vedic chanting, and Ramlila
For the next cycle, India has nominated Bihar's Chhat Puja for consideration.
Significance of the Deepawali:
India's Diwali pitch is aimed at the large diaspora.
The inscription elevates Deepavali's status and increases its international visibility as a living cultural expression.
It encourages the safeguarding of the festival's traditions and promotes awareness of its cultural importance
In a tangible sense, it is expected to boost tourism, facilitate cultural exchanges, and ensure sustainable livelihoods for artisans who keep these traditions alive.