Cultural Heritage of India

India boasts a rich and diverse culture, reflecting the contributions of many small distinct civilizations. Clothing, festivals, languages, religions, music, dance, architecture, food, and art are integral parts of this heritage. Over millennia, various foreign influences have shaped Indian culture. Major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, all rooted in the concepts of karma and dharma, originated here. These are known as Indian faiths. Alongside these, Abrahamic religions and others like Zoroastrianism and the Bahá’í Faith are practiced, promoting tolerance and secularism in Indian society.

Family and Marriage in Indian Culture

The joint family system dominates Indian culture. In this setup, parents, children, children’s spouses, and grandchildren live together, typically under the authority of the eldest male. Arranged marriages are common, with parents often planning their children’s weddings. Weddings are grand celebrations featuring elaborate decorations, clothing, music, dance, and customs, with low divorce rates reflecting strong marital bonds.

Festivals and Celebrations in India

India’s multi-religious and multi-cultural society celebrates numerous festivals. These festivals, reflecting the cultural heritage of India, hold great significance and bring the nation together in joy and unity.

Also Check: Culture of Maharashtra

Respecting and Preserving Our Heritage

Elders play a crucial role in instilling respect for our cultural heritage in future generations. Educators and parents must work together to teach children about India’s rich history and the importance of preserving it. This education fosters a sense of pride and encourages the younger generation to continue the legacy.

Indian Literature

Indian literature is as diverse as its culture, encompassing Vedic, epic Sanskrit, Classic Sanskrit, and Pali literature. Efforts are ongoing to translate these works into various languages to reach a broader audience, preserving this rich literary heritage.

Amazing Geological Structures

India is home to numerous fascinating geological features, including Lonar Crater Lake, Siachen Glacier, Pillar Rocks, Barren Island, Magnetic Hill, Columnar Basaltic Lava, and Toad Rock. These natural wonders attract tourists from around the world, showcasing the geological diversity of India.

Also Check: Culture of Karnataka

India’s UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites

Several natural sites in India are recognized as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites, highlighting their global significance.

Intangible Cultural Heritage of India

Intangible cultural heritage refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills recognized as part of cultural heritage. It includes traditions, living expressions, and associated cultural spaces. The UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage India includes various elements manifested in five broad domains: oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, knowledge concerning nature, and traditional craftsmanship.

Also Check: Culture of Gujarat

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India

UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage India

Cultural Heritage of India: Kutiyattam (Kerala)

Kutiyattam, an ancient theatrical tradition from Kerala, is one of India’s oldest living theatrical forms. This art form blends Sanskrit classicism with Kerala’s local traditions. Its unique theatrical language emphasizes neta abhinaya (eye expressions) and hasta abhinaya (gestures), which highlight the main character’s thoughts and emotions. Remarkably, a single act can take days to perform, and a full performance may last up to 40 days. Traditionally, Kutiyattam is performed in Kuttampalams, theaters situated in Hindu temples.

Tradition of Vedic Chanting in India

The Vedic Chanting tradition is an essential part of India’s intangible cultural heritage. The Vedas, a vast collection of Sanskrit poetry, philosophical dialogues, myths, and rituals, were composed over 3500 years ago. These texts, collectively known as “Books of Knowledge,” have been preserved orally by Brahmin priests through intricate techniques. Despite their ancient origins, the Vedas continue to be relevant in contemporary Indian life, although only thirteen out of over a thousand Vedic recitation branches have survived.

Ramlila: UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage India

Ramlila, meaning “Rama’s play,” is a dramatic performance of the Ramayana epic, featuring song, narration, recital, and dialogue. It depicts the battle between Rama and Ravana and includes dialogues between gods, sages, and devotees. Ramlila is performed across northern India during the Dussehra festival, with the most notable performances in Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna, and Madhubani. The staging is based on the Ramcharitmanas, composed by Tulsidas in the 16th century.

Also Check: Culture of Bihar

Ramman

Ramman is a religious festival celebrated annually in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Uttarakhand during late April. Dedicated to the tutelary god Bhumiyal Devta, this festival features complex rituals, including recitations of the epic of Rama, legends, songs, and masked dances. The Bhandaris, representing the Kshatriya caste, are privileged to wear the sacred mask of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion deity.

Chhau Dance

Chhau dance, an integral part of India’s cultural heritage, enacts scenes from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore, and abstract themes. It has three distinct styles from Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj (Odisha), with the first two using masks. The dance incorporates movements inspired by combat techniques, animal gaits, and household chores. Performed at night in open spaces, Chhau dance is accompanied by traditional melodies played on instruments like the mohuri and shehnai.

Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances

The Kalbelia community in Rajasthan expresses its traditional way of life through songs and dances. Once professional snake handlers, they now depict their former occupation in music and dance. Women in flowing black skirts dance and swirl like serpents, while men play the khanjari and poongi. The dancers wear traditional tattoos, jewelry, and embroidered garments. The Kalbelia songs, composed spontaneously, are a testament to their poetic skill and are passed down orally.

Mudiyettu

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance drama from Kerala that narrates the mythological battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. Performers create a large image of Kali on the temple floor using colored powders, invoking the goddess’s spirit. The play, performed in Bhagavati Kavus (temples of the goddess), depicts Narada requesting Shiva to defeat Darika, who can only be killed by Kali.

Buddhist Chanting in Ladakh

In Ladakh, Buddhist lamas chant sacred texts representing Buddhist philosophy and teachings. Ladakh practices Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, with four major sects: Nyngma, Kagyud, Shakya, and Geluk. Each sect has unique chanting forms, performed during rituals and significant days in the Buddhist and agrarian calendars. Monks wear special costumes, make hand gestures (mudras), and use instruments like bells, drums, cymbals, and trumpets to add rhythm to the chanting.

Also Check: Culture of Nagaland

Sankirtana: UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage India

Sankirtana involves singing, drumming, and dancing to celebrate religious occasions and life events of the Vaishnava people in Manipur. Performers narrate Krishna’s life through song and dance. Typically, two drummers and ten singer-dancers perform in a hall or courtyard surrounded by devotees. Sankirtana unites the community and reinforces individual-community relationships through life-cycle ceremonies.

Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making

The Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab are known for their traditional brass and copper utensil-making techniques. They start by flattening metal cakes into thin plates, then hammer and shape them into various utensils. This craft requires precise temperature control, achieved using wood-fired stoves and bellows. The utensils are finished with traditional polishing materials like sand and tamarind juice.

Navroz

Navroz, celebrated on March 21, marks the new year for Parsis (Zoroastrians) and Muslims (Shia and Sunni). It is observed in countries like Afghanistan, India, Iran, and Pakistan. A key tradition is gathering around a table decorated with symbolic objects representing purity, brightness, livelihood, and wealth to enjoy a special meal with loved ones.

Yoga: UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage India

Yoga is a practice that involves poses, meditation, controlled breathing, and chanting. It aims to build self-realization, alleviate suffering, and achieve liberation. Yoga unifies the mind, body, and soul, promoting mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Traditionally, yoga was taught using the Guru-Shishya (master-pupil) model, with gurus as the custodians of knowledge and skills.

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful pilgrimage, involves participants bathing in sacred rivers to cleanse their sins and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Held every four years by rotation in Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik, the festival attracts millions regardless of caste, creed, or gender. The primary bearers of this tradition are akhadas, ashrams, and individuals living on alms.

Also Check: Culture of Arunachal Pradesh

Durga Puja

Durga Puja, celebrated annually, marks the ten-day worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. The festival begins with Mahalaya, when eyes are painted on the clay images of the goddess to bring her to life, and ends with the immersion of the images in rivers. Durga Puja is notable for involving marginalized groups and women in safeguarding the tradition.

Garba

Garba is a ritualistic dance performed during Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Shakti (feminine energy). Dancers move around a lit earthenware pot or an image of goddess Amba in a counter-clockwise circle, singing and clapping in unison. The dance starts slowly and gradually builds to a fast-paced whirl.

FAQs on Cultural Heritage of India

What are the main features of Indian heritage?

The cultural heritage of India is characterized by: Longevity and continuity. Unity in diversity. Tolerance. A blend of spirituality and materialism.

Why is Indian heritage and culture important?

The cultural heritage of India plays a crucial role in uniting us. Indian literature and scriptures, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, and the Yoga system, provide valuable knowledge, guide our actions and behavior, and contribute to the development of civilization. This reflects the importance of the intangible cultural heritage of India.

What comes under the culture and heritage of India?

India is the birthplace of several major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, collectively known as Indian religions. These religions are a significant part of the cultural heritage of India, standing alongside other world religions like the Abrahamic faiths.

How many heritage sites are there in India?

There are 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The latest additions to the list under the ‘Cultural’ category are Dholavira and the Ramappa Temple. These sites are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India and are featured in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage India.

What are the types of heritage in India?

India's heritage can be categorized into three types: cultural, natural, and mixed. Cultural heritage sites include historic buildings, town sites, important archaeological sites, and monumental sculptures or paintings. These are integral parts of the intangible cultural heritage of India.