Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addressed a Lok Sabha question regarding the "Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India," which was operational between 2013-2016. Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) conducts capacity-building workshops to promote Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The Ministry maintains a National Inventory and Work-in-Progress list of ICH elements, with six elements from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra currently included.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme and Initiatives:**
* The "Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India" was operational between 2013-2016.
* Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) conducts capacity-building workshops to raise awareness about ICH involving local communities, cultural practitioners, stakeholders, and students.
* Documentation and digital archiving of performing arts and other ICH elements are carried out regularly.
* Awards are conferred upon artists to promote ICH elements.
* SNA contributes to understanding Indian performing arts and ICH through publications.
* **National Inventory of ICH:**
* The Ministry maintains the National Inventory and Work-in-Progress list of ICH elements.
* Inclusion in the National Inventory enhances preservation and outreach.
* Six elements from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are included in the National Inventory.
* **Community Involvement and Promotion:**
* Local communities and artists are directly involved through workshops and training programs.
* Awards encourage community participation and recognize cultural heritage contributions.
* Pandharpur Vari and Dashavatar from Maharashtra are included in the National Inventory.
Impact Analysis:
* **Local Communities and Artists:**
* *Impact:* Local communities and artists in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are directly involved in the preservation and promotion of their traditional art forms through SNA workshops, training programs, and awards. The inclusion of art forms like Pandharpur Vari and Dashavatar in the National Inventory helps in promoting these traditions and creating resources for study.
* *Action Required:* Participate in SNA workshops and training programs, submit requests for inclusion of art forms in the National Inventory, and continue practicing and promoting their traditional art forms.
* **Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA):**
* *Impact:* SNA is responsible for conducting capacity-building workshops, maintaining the National Inventory, documenting ICH elements, conferring awards to artists, and publishing materials related to ICH.
* *Action Required:* Continue conducting workshops, updating the National Inventory, documenting ICH elements, and promoting awareness through publications and seminars.
* **Students and Researchers:**
* *Impact:* The documentation and archiving efforts provide valuable resources for students and researchers pursuing higher studies in ICH fields.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the documented resources for research and study of Indian performing arts and ICH elements.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India: A scheme by the Ministry of Culture aimed at identifying, documenting, and promoting endangered intangible cultural heritage.
Sangeet Natak Akademi SNA: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, involved in promoting and preserving the performing arts and intangible cultural heritage of India.
National Inventory: A list maintained by the Sangeet Natak Akademi SNA, containing elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage ICH from across India.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India mentioned in the context of involving local communities and artists in the preservation and promotion of their traditional art forms.
Maharashtra: A state in western India, specifically mentioned in the context of government efforts to promote endangered cultural heritage and art.
Pandharpur Vari: A significant annual pilgrimage and religious procession in Maharashtra, included in the National Inventory.
Dashavatar: Traditional Folk Theatre: A traditional folk theatre form from Maharashtra and Goa, included in the National Inventory.
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
†2435. SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:
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 performingarts 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
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 Uttar Pradesh
Ramayana
3 Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz, Multinational Nomination
Nevruz
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 Manipur
Dancing
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 Kerala
Kettukazhacha
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, Goa36 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