Garba, an all encompassing iconic dance of Gujarat performed for nine days during the Navratri festival, has now earned a place on the global cultural map. It has been included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The inclusion has been made under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which began in Kasane, Botswana on Tuesday.
In August 2022, India had nominated garba for inclusion in the UN cultural agency’s list. Soon after the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media X expressing his happiness. “Garba is a celebration of life, unity and our deep-rooted traditions. Its inscription on the Intangible Heritage List showcases to the world the beauty of Indian culture. This honour inspires us to preserve and promote our heritage for future generations. Congrats for this global acknowledgment,” he posted.
Incidentally, the inclusion of the iconic garba of Gujarat in the prestigious list comes a few days after the Prime Minister released a music video titled ‘garbo,’ based on a garba song penned by him. “The 190-second song was penned years ago,” Modi wrote on his X timeline about the video.
“Garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH element from India to join this list. This inscription underscores garba’s pivotal role as a unifying force that fosters social and gender inclusivity. “Garba as a dance form is entrenched deeply in ritualistic and devotional roots, involving people from all walks of life and it continues to thrive as a vibrant living tradition bringing communities together,” an official release from the Gujarat Government said. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called it as a ‘proud moment.’
Patel wrote on social media X, “Garba’s inclusion in the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list is truly a proud moment for Gujarat and India. It is an honour given by the world to the ancient culture of India.”
Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy also shared a post on the same, saying the listing is a testimony to the “tireless efforts of this government under the leadership of Modi to showcase our rich culture, traditions and heritage to the world”
Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of External Affairs, too took to the social media to express her happiness calling it ‘a proud moment for Bharat as Gujarat’s vibrant Garba is now inscribed as the 15th recognised element in @UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
A celebration of feminine form of divinity, unity in diversity and social equality, garba transcends geographical boundaries. The listing is a testament to the tireless efforts of this Government under the leadership of the PM to globally promote our rich culture, traditions & heritage, she added.
The UNESCO described garba as “a ritualistic and devotional dance performed throughout the State of Gujarat, and across India, Garba is celebrated for nine days during the festival of Navaratri. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or Shakti.
“The cultural, performative, and visual expressions of this feminine energy are expressed through the Garba dance. The performative and visual celebration of garba takes place within homes and temple courtyards, public spaces in villages, urban squares, streets, and large open grounds. Garba thus becomes an all-encompassing participatory community event.”
Nityanand Srivastava, former State Tourism Commissioner and Managing Director of State Tourism Corporation and now Chief Wildlife Warden in Gujarat Government said the high-energy folk dance that originated in Gujarat and is performed with passion and fervour at the auspicious Navratri festival runs in the bloods of Gujaratis and it is no surprise that the dance found place in the prestigious global list. “Garba is something that resonates happiness. It has been existing for years in this part of the country and now drawing many non-Gujaratis too also in many other regions across the States because of its uniqueness, vibrancy and multi-colors. In Gujarat, Garba is another name for celebration,” he added.
Tim Curtis, director of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office for South Asia and UNESCO Representative for Bhutan, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, too joined several Indians in celebrating the moment. “I hope this inscription helps ensure the viability of this tradition and inspires the community, particularly young people, to continue with the knowledge, skills and oral traditions associated with garba,” he said.
The UNESCO ICH India List consists of the Sankirtana, drumming and dancing of Manipur, Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela, Yoga, Novruz, Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan, Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala, Ramman, Tradition of Vedic chanting and Ramlila.
