Safeguarding India's Intangible Heritage: Custodians Of Culture

Book Code: 1111033164823

Ameeza Zarrin, Farha

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Safeguarding India's Intangible Heritage: Custodians of Culture" is a comprehensive exploration of India's diverse intangible cultural heritage. The book not only highlights existing traditions but also sheds light on those that have disappeared or are on the brink of extinction. It aligns with the UNESCO 2003 convention, emphasizing the vital importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage.
This publication delves into all five domains of intangible cultural heritage, offering a rich and diverse overview of these cultural treasures in the Indian context. It pays tribute to the unsung custodians of intangible cultural heritage and underscores the invaluable role of museums in preserving and exhibiting these cultural expressions.
For researchers, this book serves as an indispensable reference, broadening their horizons and guiding further exploration of the diverse domains within intangible cultural heritage. Overall, its overarching goal is to foster awareness and motivate the ongoing practice and safeguarding of these traditions, despite the contemporary challenges they face and the lack of attention from newer generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ameeza Zarrin serves as an Assistant Professor in Aligarh Muslim University's Museology Department. She secured her master's degree in museology at A.M.U., Aligarh, in 2010, where she garnered a gold medal for her exceptional performance. In 2012, she achieved UGC NET-JRF in Museology and Conservation. Her scholarly journey led to a Ph.D., awarded in 2016. Dr. Zarrin received the Small Study Research Grant for 2010-2011 from NTICVA (Nehru Trust for Indian Collection at Victoria and Albert Museum, London, U.K.). She holds the position of Joint Secretary at the International Council of Biodeterioration of Cultural Property and is a member of both the International Council of Museums, Paris and the Museum Association of India.With a decade of teaching experience in Intangible Heritage, she recognized a significant oversight in the attention given to intangible heritage within Indian museology leading her to author a book on the subject.Additionally, she has organized various museology workshops, conferences, and web talks, while also publishing numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at both national and international conferences.

Ms. Farha, a distinguished Research Scholar at Aligarh Muslim University's Department of Museology, achieved UGC-NET JRF. Having earned her master's degree in Museology from Aligarh Muslim University, Ms. Farha conducted an in-depth investigation into the preservation of Traditional Craftsmanship, a significant domain of intangible cultural heritage, as the focus of her master's thesis. Her dedication to the field of museology became evident during her internship at the National Children Museum in New Delhi, where she actively contributed to exhibit development, engaged with visitors, conducted heritage talks, and organized a diverse array of cultural activities.She has also made valuable contributions to the field through her research papers on Intangible Cultural Heritage. This dedication and ability have led her to co-author this book.

CONTENTS

Preface  ---------------------------------------------7
Acknowledgements  -------------------------------  9
List of Tables  ------------------------------------- 11
Introduction  -------------------------------------------- 13
1  Oral Traditions and Expressions, including Language
as a Vehicle of Intangible Cultural Heritage -- 27
• Pattachitra • Buddhist Chanting • Kavad Storytelling • Dastangoi
• Marsiyakhwani
2.  Performing Arts  ---------------------------------- 65
Folk Music  • Qawwali
Folk Dance  • Kathakali  • Kuchipudi
Folk Theatre  •  Kutiyattam  •  Ramlila  •  Bhand  Pather  •  Puppetry
• Ventriloquism
3.  Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events  --- 127
    Social Practices and Rituals
• Namaste Greeting • Sparsh Charan • Tilak • Aarti • Use of Coconut
•  Practice  to  Ring  the  Bell  in  Temples  •  Fasts  •  Rituals  related  to
Mannat (Vow) • Practice to Ward Off Evil Eye • Baptism • Azadari
• Parda System • Dowry System • Culinary Practices • Rituals of Child
Birth  •  Practices  and  Rituals  of Weddings  •  Death  Related  Rituals
• Rudaali tradition • Snake Charming (Practiced by Saperas).
Festivals

1. National Festivals

• Republic Day • Independence Day • Gandhi Jayanti
• Religious Festivals in India
•  Diwali  •  Holi  •  Raksha  Bandhan  •  Durga  Puja  •  Dussehra  •  Eid
• Buddha Purnima• Mahavir Jayanti• Christmas• Guru Nanak Jayanti

1. Harvest Festivals in India (Season-specific)

•  Makar Sankranti • Baisakhi • Ladakh harvest festival • Lohri • Basant
Panchami • Onam • Pongal • Ugadi • Vishu • Bhogali Bihu • Wangala
•  Ka  Pomblang  Nongkrem  •  Nuakhai  •  Gudi  Padwa  •  Nabanna
• Nowruz.
4.  Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature
and the Universe   ---------------------------------------------171
•  Sacred  Groves  •  Siddha  • Ayurveda  • Yoga  •  Unani  Medicine  in
India • Shamanism • Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)
5.  Traditional Craftsmanship  ----------------------------- 193
•  Chikankari  •  Phulkari  •  Mysore  Painting  •  Madhubani  Painting
• Bone and Horn Craftsmanship • Bamboo and Cane Craft • Brass
Work • Rogan Art.
6.   Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India  --- 221
• Role of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH
• Role of Indian Centres, Academies and Departments in the
Safeguarding of ICH
• Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) • Sahitya Akademi
•  Lalit  Kala  Akademi  •  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  •  National  School
of Drama • Kalakshetra Foundation • Indira Gandhi National Centre
for the Arts • Zonal Cultural Centres • North Zone Cultural Centre • North
Central Zone Cultural Centre • North East Zone Cultural Centre • South
Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur - Tamil Nadu • West Zone Cultural
Centre • Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre • South Central Zone Cultural
Centre • Department of Museology at Different Universities.
• Role of Museums in the Safeguarding of ICH
• Need for Establishing Specialized Museums for Intangible Cultural
Heritage
Appendices  --------------------------------------------- 261
Index--------------------------------------------------------273