About Us

In fulfillment of its obligations under the UNESCO convention on ICH, a statute to which India is a signatory, the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, has declared Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex body in the field of performing arts, as the Nodal Centre for coordinating India’s nominations for various UNESCO lists and other actions such as developing and maintaining the National Inventory of ICH. 

ICH includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants. The importance of ICH is not simply the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next.

The plurality and multiplicity of Indian Culture is evident to the whole world as India has one of the world’s largest collections of songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and rituals, languages, dialects, paintings, writings, cuisines and indigenous medicine systems that are known as the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (ICH) of humanity.

India is an active member of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage endeavor and has successfully represented many ICH elements under the various UNESCO conventions and representative lists. Presently, 14 ICH elements have been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, UNESCO, thereby providing these elements an international platform and recognition. 

Domains of ICH as given by UNESCO:

1. Oral Traditions & Expressions Including Language as a Vehicle of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
2. Performing Arts
3. Social Practices, Rituals & Festive Events
4. Knowledge & Practices Concerning Nature & the Universe
5. Traditional Craftsmanship

2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Convention on ICH has three lists, namely:

1. Urgent Safeguarding List
2. Representative List of ICH of Humanity
3. Register for Good practice

14 elements inscribed on the Representative List of ICH of Humanity by India.