The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, celebrated on May 21, aims to encourage people to 'live together better'. It was established by the United Nations in November 2001 following the adoption of a Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The day’s theme for 2014 is “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, aimed at engaging people around the world to Do One Thing to support Cultural Diversity and Inclusion. On this day, the UNESCO emphasises the need to fight against imbalances that exist between global exchanges of cultural goods, and stresses the importance of preserving the world’s most vulnerable cultures, together with the need for cultural policies and structural measures in developing countries. The day also provides an opportunity for mobilisation on the parts of governments, policymakers, civil society organisations, communities, cultural professionals to promote culture in its diversity and in all its forms: tangible and intangible heritage, creative industries, goods and services.
Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognised and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.
India is a country with diversified cultures, arts and traditions. The cultural diversity means a range of different societies of peoples with different origins, religious and traditions all living and interacting together. India has benefited from diversity throughout its long history and is currently one of the most culturally diverse countries.
The culture of India refers to the way of life of the people of India. India’s languages, religions, dance, music, art, food and customs differ from place to place within the country. The Indian culture, often labelled as an amalgamation of several cultures, spans across the Indian subcontinent and has been influenced by a history that is several millennia old.
Odisha has been a repository of one of the world's finest cultural heritages. The State has a rich artistic heritage and has produced some of the finest examples of Indian art and architecture. Among the most notable traditions in the arts are mural painting, stone-carving, woodcarving, Patta Chitra, and painting on palm leaves. The State is also widely recognised for its exquisite silver filigree ornamentation, pottery and decorative work. The classical dance of Odisha has survived for more than 700 years. Originally, it was a temple dance performed for the gods. The movements, gestures, and poses of the dance are depicted on the walls of the great temples.
Besides, tribal culture forms an important part of the colourful spectrum of Odisha. The State is the homeland of the largest variety of tribal communities, including 13 primitive tribal groups, which are now at various stages of socioeconomic development. They express their cultural identity and distinctiveness in their social organisation, language, rituals, festivals including their dresses, ornaments, arts and crafts. Every facet of their life is intimately connected with religious beliefs and ritual practices. The tribes of Odisha have retained the rich and varied heritage of colourful dance and music forming an integral part of their festivals and rituals. The artistic skill of tribal people is not only confined to dance and music but also manifested through their dresses, ornaments, handicrafts, wall paintings, woodcarvings and decorations, etc.
Despite belonging to different linguistic divisions, the tribes of Odisha have many socio-cultural similarities, and together they characterise the notion of tribalism. Tribal societies share certain common characteristics and by these they are distinguished from advanced societies. In India, tribal societies have remained outside the main historical current of the civilisation for centuries. Therefore, they manifest cultural features signifying a primitive level of socio-cultural existence and each type has a distinct style of life.
Odisha has the distinction of having the largest number of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) among all the States and Union Territories of India. Odisha is home to 62 types of tribes, of which 13 are designated as PVTGs for their distinct culture, lifestyle and socioeconomic conditions. Bonda is the first tribe which was designated as a PVTG in Odisha during the 5th Five-Year Plan, and in subsequent years other 12 tribes, Juang, lanjia Saora, Kutia Kondh, Dongaria Kondh, Saora, Paudi Bhuyan, Birhor, Didayi, Hill Kharia, Mankirdia, lodha and Chuktia Bhunjia, were included in the list of PVTGs.
Besides, Odisha is rich in folkdances. The different folkdances are Ranappa, Gotipua, Ektara, tribal dance, Paika Akhada, Chhau, puppetry show, Danda Nacha, Dalkhai, Pala, Daskathia Chaiti Ghoda Nacha and much more. Artists perform different dances during their festivals.
Bhubaneswar offers a rich cultural heritage with Ekamra Kshetra being the heart of the cultural capital over the centuries. There is a need for augmentation of the existing cultural facilities in distributed urban centres throughout the planning area. There are proposals for propagation and development of culture in a Cultural Diversity Plan (CDP). This includes promotion of traditional fairs and festivals through Government and NGOs to generate awareness among the new generation towards cultural heritage and inviting cultural tourism. Another proposal includes setting up of an Utkal Sanskriti Prangan, a representational centre of traditional art and culture, craft, cuisine and living style, fair and festivals of Odisha in Bhubaneswar. In addition to this, suitable locations may be identified for observation and celebration of cultural activities such as Ekamra Utsav, Kalinga Mahotsav, etc.
Traditional art and craft villages can be developed in the peri-urban areas of Bhubaneswar. The art villages with tribal arts and handicrafts centers will attract tribal folk and tourists to the area. This will give enough information about their unique lifestyles and culture. When visited, tourists would get a fair idea on various dimensions of traditional Odishan culture on a single platform. Odishi dance styles, music, Yatra, Pala, Patta Chitra, traditional folk arts and crafts, delicious cuisines and textiles, all may be documented and displayed for both national and international tourists. Tribal people will also come in contact with the urban folk, publicise their own creations and will also able to improve their quality of life.
Cultural diversity is based on the idea that cultural identities should not be discarded or ignored but rather maintained and valued. The foundation of this belief is that every culture and race has made a substantial contribution to the society. Culture and society are the two sides of a coin; one cannot exist without the other. Culture needs society and its inhabitants to sustain its existence and initiate its change, and society needs culture to hold it together and survive. It is equally impossible to have a culture without a society or a society without culture.
Modernisation has entered the field of culture and tradition. However, forgetting our tradition and culture is like losing our identity. Both should go hand in hand. We should preserve it and develop with modern achievement, but the elements provided should be traditional and based on culture and society.
(Dr Mayarani Praharaj works in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)