UNESCO has inscribed Deepavali on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List, a proud moment for India’s cultural heritage

• According to UNESCO, cultural heritage includes living traditions such as oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, festive events, knowledge systems and traditional craftsmanship.
• The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted on 17 October 2003 at the 32nd General Conference in Paris.
• The Convention addresses threats from globalisation, social change and limited resources to living cultural traditions.
• It places communities, indigenous groups and individual practitioners at the centre of safeguarding efforts.
• It promotes global cooperation, awareness and respect and led to the creation of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists (2008)
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi serves as the national nodal agency responsible for the preparation and submission of India’s ICH nomination files to UNESCO

The purposes of this Convention are

• To safeguard the intangible cultural heritage;
• To ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;
• To raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and ensuring mutual appreciation thereof;
• To provide for global cooperation and assistance.

UNESCO–Recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements of India (16 Elements)

• Tradition of Vedic Chanting (2008)
• Ramlila – Traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008)
• Kutiyattam – Sanskrit theatre (2008)
• Ramman – Religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009)
• Mudiyettu – Ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (2010)
• Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (2010)
• Chhau dance of Eastern India (2010)
• Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012)
• Sankirtana – Ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur (2013)
• Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014)
• Yoga (2016)
• Nawrouz (2016)
• Kumbh Mela (2017)
• Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021)
• Garba of Gujarat (2023)
• Deepavali (December 10, 2025)

Deepavali 

• Deepavali is not limited to religious observance but represents traditions and expressions passed from generation to generation, symbolising the victory of light over darkness and promoting social harmony and cultural unity.
• The recognition highlights Deepavali as a living cultural tradition that reflects social practices, rituals, festive events, and community participation.
• Deepavali has been inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List by UNESCO.