Garba the famed folk art of Gujarat earned the coveted Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ICH tag from UNESCO on Wednesday.
The festival of Gujarat in which lakhs of revellers swirl to the tunes of tunes of dhols music and folk songs in colourful attire like chaniya cholis, ghaghras etc during Navratri has become the first ICH of Gujarat.
Garba is a celebration of life unity and our deep-rooted predictions. Its inscription on the intangible heritage list showcases to the world the beauty of Indian culture. This honour inspires us to preserve and promote our heritage for future generations.
This is a moment of pride for Gujarati spread all over the world. This is a result of importance being given to the heritage of the country under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership shape and such heritage being big taken to the world. Congratulations to the people of Gujarat.
Origin of the word Garbo
Garbo originated from the Sanskrit word “Garbha” (womb) symbolised by a perforated earthen pot. The earthen pot known as “garbhadeep” became a symbol of omnipresent divine energy in the universe with the lit lamp emblematic of the Goddess’s divine energy. The pot eventually became the garbo around which song, dance and worship of Mother Goddess during Navratri began.
UNESCO Presentation
India has nominated garbo of Gujarat a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the Hindu festival of Navratri which is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or Shakti. It takes place around a perforated earthen pot lit with an oil lamp or an image of Mother Goddess Amba. Garba fosters transcending socio-economic, gender and religious structures. It is inclusive of diverse and marginalised communities, thus strengthening social bonds.
This element is recommended for the inscription on the representative list. The draft decision by the evaluation body is has been adopted “Congratulations to India”.
At global level the inscription of garba on UNESCO at ICH level will highlight across the globe the aspect of feminine energy/ Shakti and its inclusive nature of celebration- both as a ritual and socio-economic phenomenon.
The garba, the circle of energy exhibits at its core universal human values such as inclusiveness, freedom, equality and power to the marginalised. The large Indian diaspora will be proud of their cultural traditions and will share garba with the world to promote ethos of ICH.
Vishal Sharma representative of India said “his day will be remembered as the day of celebration for the countries where the Indian diaspora lives”.
He said “Garba e Gujarat ni bhavna che ( Garba exhibits the spirit of Gujarat)
Why Gujarat’s Garba earned ICH status.
• There is no gender, age, caste or religious bias.
• It is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or Shakti.
• Garbas encompass dancers to musicians, social groups, craftspeople and religious figures.
• It is inclusive of diverse and marginalised communities strengthening social bonds.
• It promotes unity in diversity.
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