Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.

intangible cultural heritage


 Intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life.

 Intangible cultural heritage is:

a. Traditional, contemporary and living at the same time.

b. Inclusive.

c. Representative.

d. Community-based.


India and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

 India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.

 It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection. 

This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.

The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India‘ formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013. 

 As of now the list has more than 100 elements, It also includes the 13 elements of India that have already  inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.


From India the Intangible Cultural Heritages added into this list include:


  • Tradition of Vedic chanting
  • Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana
  • Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre
  • Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas.
  • Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala
  • Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
  • Chhau dance
  • 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
  • Yoga
  • Nawroj
  • Kumbh Mela festival


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