UNESCO launches list of 50 iconic Indian heritage textiles

UNESCO launches list of 50 iconic Indian heritage textiles

Subject :  Culture

Context: UNESCO on Thursday released a list of 50 exclusive and iconic heritage textile crafts of the country included in its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Concept :

• Handmade for the 21st Century: Safeguarding Traditional Indian Textile released by UNESCO lists the histories and legends behind the textiles, describes the complicated and secret processes behind their making, mentions the causes for their dwindling popularity, and provides strategies for their preservation.
• UNESCO stated that it hopes that India will consider expanding its register of elements inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by nominating one of the textile crafts featured in this publication.
• No textile crafts from India have been included in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity yet.

UNESCO’s Convention for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage

• The Convention of the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003 and entered into force in 2006.
• It comprises 24 members and is elected in the General Assembly of the Convention according to the principles of equitable geographical representation and rotation.
• Members of the Committee are elected for a term of four years.

Publications:

• Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
• Register of good safeguarding practices.

Which Indian Elements were Recognized as ICH?

• India has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity.
• Other than the Durga Puja there are 13 Traditions in India recognised by UNESCO as ICH.