Dance of glory Garba: Gujarat's Garba inscribed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage
Dance of glory Garba: “Garba" is a traditional dance form that originated in the state of Gujarat, India. It is often performed during the festival of Navratri and is characterised by circular patterns of movement and energetic footwork.
Garba has been declared as an Intangible Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
UNESCO took to his social media platform X handle (former Twitter) and posted, “New inscription on the Intangible Heritage List: Garba of Gujarat, India. Congratulations!"
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New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Garba of Gujarat, #India ????????.
Congratulations!https://t.co/c2HMPpStCA #LivingHeritage pic.twitter.com/YcupgYLFjg — UNESCO ????️ #Education #Sciences #Culture ???????? (@UNESCO) December 6, 2023
The inscription was made during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, underway at the Cresta Mowana Resort in Kasane, Botswana.
According to the UNESCO, session began on December 4 and is scheduled to go on till December 9.
Notably, Garba is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri. The dance takes place around a perforated earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp, or an image of the mother goddess Amba.
Participating dancers move around the centre in a counter-clockwise circle, using simple movements while singing and clapping their hands in unison.
The Gujarati dance starts with slow circular movements and the tempo slowly builds up to a frenzied whirling.
Garba is transmitted across generations in urban and rural areas through practice, performance, imitation, and observation, it said.
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A total of 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements are inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
These include the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab, the Nawrouz festival, the Kumbh Mela, the Durga Puja of Kolkata, Ramlila and Vedic Chants.
- With inputs from agencies
