“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great-grandmother of tradition.”
– Mark Twain

Cultural heritage refers to the cultural sites, monuments, folklore, traditional activities, practices, languages and customs that are vital to preserve for the future generation. The diversity of the Indian culture is evident to the whole world as India has one of the largest collections of songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and rituals, languages, dialects, paintings and writing, that are known, as the, ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’. Although our tangible heritage reflects outstanding historical importance, it is our intangible assets that encompasses our living and breathing cultural heritage, which is the beating heart of all our legacies.

In the realm of India’s intangible cultural heritage, the worship of Durga Puja is undeniably one of my most cherished and beloved traditions. Durga Puja in Kolkata, which was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021, is an annual festival celebrated in September or October. It is also celebrated in other parts of India and amongst the Bengali regions. It marks the ten-day worship of the Hindu mother-goddess Durga. In the months preceding the festival, images of Goddess Durga and her family are sculpt using unfired clay pulled from the Ganga River. The worship of the goddess then begins on the first day when the eyes are painted onto the clay images to bring the goddess to life. It ends on the tenth day, when the images are immersed in the river from where the model’s clay came. I am truly mesmerized by this traditional festival of Durga Puja that is so devotedly celebrated by the people of Kolkata.

While I thoroughly enjoy participating in the worship of Durga Puja, I am equally enthralled by the captivating performances of Navratri. This is a festival of tradition and cultural significance, and it is celebrated with great fervor across India. This nine-night festival is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga, and it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is a time for reflection, devotion, and joyous celebration. The exuberating dance of Garba from Gujarat has gone global. Echoing the rhythm of life, It connects diverse communities and transcends generations. It has recently been inscribed as India’s 15th inscription on UNESCO Representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Usually performed during the festival of Navratri, this festival is dedicated to celebrating the divine feminine. This celebration is a rich tapestry of rituals, music, dance, and community spirit, where participants, dressed in colourful attire, come together to celebrate with rhythmic movements and lively music. Garba is more than a dance; it is an immersive cultural experience that unifies communities together. As the festival of Navratri advances, the excitement builds up, reaching its peak on Dussehra, which signals the end of Navratri. This day is marked by lively celebrations that honour Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. Colourful processions, dramatic re-enactments, and the burning of large effigies, offer a captivating spectacle that highlights the themes of bravery and righteousness.

Ram Lila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana is typically performed during the Hindu festival of Dussehra. The Ram Lila is a cycle of plays which recounts the epic story of Lord Rama. This play is known for its lavish sets, dialogues and visual spectacle. Ram Lila was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005. This art form is a part of the Hindu culture, found for many gods and goddesses these epic series of scenes include narration, recital and dialogue which are performed during the festival of Dussehra. It is played every evening for 31 days across Northern India. This story is also enacted in another popular art form as a night time fire show or day time puppet show.

Just like Durga Puja, Navratri and Ram Lila, our intangible culture shapes our self-perception, and connects us to our communities, as I believe that our heritage is more than just stone buildings. Our culture is our own identity, deep rooted within us. It influences our values and ethics, and therefore we must take actions to preserve it. Ultimately, intangible culture acts as a vital link between our past and future. Additionally, our intangible culture highlights the common thread that binds humanity together, and transcends geographical and ideological boundaries. By safeguarding our intangible culture, we are actively working towards the preservation of unique customs and practices that would otherwise risk fading into obscurity, thus guaranteeing the continuity of cultural expressions from one generation, to the next.

Furthermore, our intangible cultural heritage not only brings attention to the cultural diversity that is an integral part of India, but also emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing the multitude of cultures that thrive harmoniously within its borders, by enabling a deep understanding of cultural diversity within us. Our surrounding heritage is full of different cultures, including confluences and amalgamations of cultural elements from different parts of the world, proving us that we indeed have been binded together from the past, and we should remain united as one, now, and in the future. In this era of globalization, the recognition and appreciation of diverse cultural performances, rituals, celebrations, and festivals play a vital role in promoting a renewed and inclusive dialogue among various diverse cultures.

Embracing our culture, not only empowers us, but also encourages us to establish new traditions that are a true reflection of our evolving identities. By doing so, we not only pay tribute to our heritage but also play an active role in shaping a future that embraces unity, respect, and connectivity to the rich and varied experiences of humanity. As per my belief, youth are an integral part of the society, and are the hope and torch bearers for a better future. The youth share the duty to preserve not only our monumental heritage but also to restore an value our diverse intangible cultural heritage by preserving our rich historical past and passing it forward for a better future, as I believe that, despite our differences in opinion, our culture not only connects us to where we belong and where our feet stand first, but it unites all of humanity together as one, to carry our confluence of legacies forward.

Excerpts from Aarya Chavda’s books, ‘Intangible Legacies’ and ‘We are One’.