Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?
Contents14
- AChhau dance
- BDurga Puja
- CGarba dance
- DKumbh mela
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Answer: (C) Garba dance
Correct Answer: (c) Garba dance.
Garba of Gujarat was the most recent Indian addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, inscribed in December 2023.
The other three were added earlier:
- Chhau dance — inscribed in 2010.
- Kumbh Mela — inscribed in 2017.
- Durga Puja — inscribed in 2021.
Easy way to remember: The question asks for the LATEST, so you need to know the year of inscription, not just whether they're on the list.
Garba of Gujarat was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2023, making it the most recent Indian entry.
This question appeared in 2024 UPSC because Garba's inclusion in December 2023 made it fresh current affairs for the exam cycle.
UPSC is testing whether students track the chronological order of UNESCO inscriptions, not just which items are on the list.
Garba Dance of Gujarat
Art And Culture Garba dance
Garba Dance of Gujarat: UNESCO Recognition & Cultural Significance
Garba is Gujarat's traditional folk dance inscribed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2023
Performed during Navratri festival in circular formations around a central lamp or deity
Latest Indian addition to UNESCO list among the four options given
Dance form combines devotion, community participation, and rhythmic movements with dandiya sticks
Garba is Gujarat's most celebrated folk dance, performed during the nine-night Navratri festival. The dance involves circular movements around a central lamp (garba deep) or image of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the cycle of time and life.
Key Features
Circular formation: Dancers move in concentric circles around a central point
Devotional significance: Honors Goddess Durga and celebrates feminine divine energy
Community participation: Involves people of all ages and social backgrounds
Musical accompaniment: Traditional instruments include dhol, tabla, and harmonium
Costume: Colorful chaniya choli for women, kediyun for men
Latest addition trap: Among the four options, only Garba (2023) is the most recent UNESCO inscription
Don't confuse: Garba is the circular dance; Dandiya Raas is the stick dance - often performed together but distinct forms
State association: Garba is specifically from Gujarat, not a pan-Indian dance form
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage from India
Art And Culture Intangible Cultural Heritage List UNESCO
India's UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Complete List & Timeline
India has 14 elements inscribed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list as of 2023
Garba dance (2023) is the latest addition among all Indian inscriptions
List includes performing arts, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, and oral traditions
Kumbh Mela is the largest inscribed cultural gathering in the world
UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list preserves living traditions, performing arts, social practices, and traditional knowledge. India's inscriptions span dance forms, festivals, crafts, and oral traditions that represent the country's cultural diversity.
Question Options Timeline
Cultural Element | State/Region | Year Inscribed | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
Garba dance | Gujarat | 2023 | Performing arts |
Durga Puja | West Bengal | 2021 | Social practices |
Kumbh Mela | Multiple states | 2017 | Social practices |
Chhau dance | Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal | 2010 | Performing arts |
Other Notable Indian Inscriptions
Koodiyattam (2001): Sanskrit theatre from Kerala - India's first inscription
Ramman (2009): Religious festival and ritual theatre from Uttarakhand
Mudiyettu (2010): Ritual theatre from Kerala honoring goddess Kali
Kalbelia (2010): Folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012): Sacred recitations from Jammu & Kashmir
Timeline confusion: Remember Garba (2023) > Durga Puja (2021) > Kumbh (2017) > Chhau (2010) for chronological questions
Don't mix: UNESCO World Heritage Sites (tangible) vs Intangible Cultural Heritage (living traditions)
State specificity: Chhau spans three states, Kumbh rotates between four cities, but Garba is Gujarat-specific
Chhau Dance Traditions
Art And Culture Chhau dance
Chhau Dance: Three Regional Styles & UNESCO Recognition
Chhau is a traditional dance-drama from eastern India, inscribed by UNESCO in 2010
Three distinct styles: Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), Mayurbhanj (Odisha)
Combines martial arts, acrobatics, and folk traditions with mythological themes
Chhau is a vigorous dance-drama tradition performed during spring festivals. The name derives from the Sanskrit word 'Chhaya' meaning mask or shadow, reflecting its use of elaborate masks in some styles.
Three Chhau Styles
Style | State | Key Feature | Mask Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
Seraikella | Jharkhand | Most refined, lyrical movements | Elaborate masks used |
Purulia | West Bengal | Vigorous, martial influence | Colorful masks essential |
Mayurbhanj | Odisha | No masks, facial expressions important | No masks used |
Cultural Significance
Themes: Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas
Performance time: Traditionally performed at night during Chaitra Parva festival
Training: Requires years of practice in martial arts, acrobatics, and dance
Community involvement: Entire villages participate in performances and preparations
Durga Puja of West Bengal
Art And Culture Durga Puja
Durga Puja: UNESCO Recognition of Bengal's Grand Festival
Durga Puja of West Bengal was inscribed in UNESCO list in 2021
Five-day festival celebrating goddess Durga's victory over demon Mahishasura
Combines religious devotion, artistic creativity, and community bonding
Durga Puja is Bengal's most significant festival, transforming entire communities into celebration spaces. UNESCO recognized it for its inclusive nature and role in fostering cultural identity and social cohesion.
UNESCO Recognition Elements
Community participation: Involves people across religious, social, and economic divisions
Artistic innovation: Pandal (temporary structures) showcase contemporary themes and artistic creativity
Cultural transmission: Knowledge passed through generations of artisans, priests, and organizers
Economic impact: Supports thousands of artisans, musicians, and small businesses
Social cohesion: Strengthens community bonds and cultural identity
Festival Timeline
Mahalaya: Marks beginning of Devi Paksha (goddess's fortnight)
Shashthi to Dashami: Five main days of celebration (6th to 10th day of lunar month)
Visarjan: Immersion of goddess idols in rivers on Vijaya Dashami
Kumbh Mela Gatherings
Art And Culture Kumbh mela
Kumbh Mela: World's Largest Religious Gathering
Kumbh Mela was inscribed by UNESCO in 2017 as world's largest peaceful gathering
Rotates between four cities: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik every 12 years
Prayagraj hosts Maha Kumbh every 12th year (144 years cycle)
Kumbh Mela is based on Hindu cosmology and astronomy, occurring when Jupiter, Sun, and Moon align in specific zodiac signs. The festival represents the cyclical nature of time and spiritual purification.
Four Kumbh Sites
City | State | Sacred Rivers | Zodiac Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
Prayagraj | Uttar Pradesh | Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati | Jupiter in Taurus, Sun & Moon in Capricorn |
Haridwar | Uttarakhand | Ganga | Jupiter in Aquarius, Sun in Aries |
Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | Shipra | Jupiter in Leo, Sun in Aries |
Nashik | Maharashtra | Godavari | Jupiter & Sun in Leo |
Cultural Elements
Sadhus and Akharas: Different sects of ascetics participate in ritualistic processions
Shahi Snan: Royal bathing ceremony on auspicious dates led by Naga Sadhus
Oral traditions: Transfer of religious knowledge through guru-shishya tradition
Temporary city: Massive infrastructure created for millions of pilgrims