Intangible cultural heritage, encompassing traditions, languages, rituals, music, craftsmanship, festivals, and performing arts, represents the most democratic expression of culture because it is owned collectively by communities, guarded through intergenerational transmission, and enriched by widespread participation.
Democratic Nature
This form of heritage thrives on communal involvement rather than elite control, making it inclusive and representative of diverse groups within societies. Unlike tangible monuments managed by institutions, intangible elements evolve organically through daily practices and social cohesion, fostering mutual respect and identity across urban and rural settings. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted this during the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session in New Delhi, noting it as “owned by all, guarded by many, and enriched by each generation.”
Global Significance
UNESCO recognizes intangible heritage as vital for cultural diversity amid globalization, promoting intercultural dialogue without exclusivity. India’s hosting of the 2025 session at the Red Fort underscores efforts to safeguard such elements, including additions like the Bhagavad Gita to UNESCO lists, which boost cultural pride and livelihoods. Challenges like cultural erosion persist, but preservation supports decolonization and pluralism, especially in the Global South.
Examples of Democratic Intangible Heritages
India’s intangible cultural heritage features several UNESCO-recognized practices that transcend specific communities, drawing participation from diverse groups across castes, regions, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Kumbh Mela
This massive festival gathers millions of pilgrims from all over India and beyond for ritual bathing in sacred rivers, with open access to spiritual discourses and gatherings that include ascetics, householders, and people from various faiths. It serves as a peaceful congregation promoting unity without barriers.
- Yoga
Originating from ancient traditions, yoga is practiced nationwide and globally by people of all ages, genders, classes, and communities through physical postures, meditation, and breath control. Its transmission occurs via gurus, institutions, and modern classes, making it universally accessible.
- Durga Puja in Kolkata
The festival involves neighbourhood collectives building pandals, crafting idols, and immersing them in rivers, with volunteers from diverse classes, castes, and ethnicities collaborating on art and rituals. It blends worship with community art, fostering widespread involvement.
- Garba of Gujarat
During Navratri, participants form circles to dance and sing around a lamp, welcoming people from all backgrounds in villages and cities alike. This inclusive practice strengthens social bonds across divides through generational transmission.
Several Indian Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices, particularly UNESCO-listed ones, involve collective craftsmanship in villages where community members collaborate on artisanal skills passed down generationally.
- Thatheras Utensil Making
In Jandiala Guru village, Punjab, the Thatheras community collectively hammers brass and copper sheets into utensils using traditional techniques, with skills transmitted orally from fathers to sons across households. This village-based craft defines family and community identity through shared labour and defines social status
- Chau Mask-Making
Charida village in West Bengal hosts 115 households engaged in Chau mask-making, where artisans collaboratively craft masks for performances, transforming the village into a cultural hub with community museums. Capacity-building efforts involve collective innovation and diversification of products.
- Dokra Metal Casting
Villages like Bikna and Dariyapur in West Bengal feature around 150 artists practicing lost-wax Dokra casting for figurines and jewelry, evolving from household crafts to communal demonstrations with GI recognition. Artisans in these clusters share intricate designs and motifs collectively
- Mutva Embroidery
Women in eight Kutch villages, Gujarat, such as Dhordo and Gorewali, produce collective thread work embroidery, managed alongside pastoral duties by the Mutva community. Institutions support documentation and exhibitions of this shared heritage across households