Ministry of Culture
- Separate ministry for culture was established in 2006.
- Primary Objective – Preservation and conservation of ancient cultural heritage and promotion of tangible and intangible art and culture.
World Heritage Sites
Santiniketan and Hoysala temples (Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas) from India were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
India is in the 6th position for maximum number of sites on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Santiniketan (West Bengal):
- 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India
- 1st tangible cultural heritage site from West Bengal
- A cultural and educational institution located in West Bengal.
- Literal meaning – “Abode of peace”
- Old name – Bhubandanga
- Originally an ashram established by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore in 1863.
- Later, Rabindranath Tagore envisioned it as a university town and established a school and was later expanded into the Visva-Bharati University.
- Teaching methodology –
- Unique educational philosophy emphasizing the integration of nature, creativity, and holistic learning.
- Follows the concept of an open-air classroom.
- Other UNESCO recognitions in West Bengal –
- Sundarbans National Park
- Darjeeling Mountain Railways
- Durga Puja in Kolkata (UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity)
Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas:
- A serial nomination of 3 temples belonging to the Hoysala era
- Time Period – from the 12th to 13th century
- Locationn – Karnataka
- 3 temples – Channakeshava Temple (Belur), Hoyasalesvara Temple (Halebidu), Keshava Temple (Somanathapura).
Details about Temple:
| Chennakesava Temple | Hoyasalesvara Temple | Keshava Temple | |
| Type | Ekakuta (temple with 1 shrine) | Dvikuta (temple with 2 shrines) | Trikuta (temple with 3 shrines) |
| Dedicated to | Vaishnavism | Shiva [One shrine is dedicated to King Vishnuvardhan and the other to his Queen Shantala] | Lord Krishna in 3 forms – Janardhana, Keshava and Venugopala |
| Built/commissioned by | King Vishnuvardhana to mark victory against the Cholas.A stepped pond called Vasudev Tirtha was constructed by Veer Ballala II | King Vishnuvardhana | Built under King Narasimha III |
| Architectural details | Depicts scenes from daily life, music, and dance.Narrates scenes from life of VishnuDepicts the epics Ramayana, and Mahabharata.Images from Jainism and Buddhism.Garbha griha houses an enshrined image of Krishna. | Has a walled complex containing of 3 Jaina basadi (temples) of the Hoysala period as well as a stepped well.Sculptures inside the temple depict scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana. | Known for its lathe turned pillars, symmetrical architecture, and intricate sculptures.Sculptures found are that of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati. |
| Waterbody | Banks of Yagachi River | Originally Halebidu was called Dwarasamudra which refers to a large water reservoir. | Banks of River Kaveri |
| Comments | On all 3 entrances to the temple are the Hoysala symbol showing the legend of Sala killing the tiger. Belur is the 1st known instance of this type of usage of the symbol.Rathotsava at temple began with syncretic tradition after the moulvi recited the Koran. | No longer used as a place of worship as the temple was desecrated by armies of Sultanate. |
Hoysala Architecture:
- Architecture Style – Vesara
- Building Stone – Soapstone (chloritic schist)
- Time Period – 10th to 14th century AD
- Unique Features –
- Stellate Plan (looking a star)
- Intricate carvings – Seen in the jewellery of gods at temple walls
- Carvings of – Animals and other denizens of forest on lower part and above them huge sculptural representations of gods.
- Sculptures – Depicts scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana.
- Design –
- Double building with large hall form mandapa (for music and dance)
- A Nandi pavilion precedes each building
- Mandapas – Both open and closed mandapas, have circular pillars, ceilings are ornate with mythological and floral designs.
- Vimana – Simple on inside and decorative on outside.
- Religious themes – Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Jainism etc.
UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
‘Garba Dance of Gujarat’ has been inscribed newly in 2023. UNESCO also recognises Ramadan meal tradition of iftar.
Inclusion has been made under the provisions of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
About Garba:
- Belongs to – Gujarat (also performed in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh)
- Ritualistic and devotional folk dance.
- Performed during festival of Navratri
- Dedicated to worship of the feminine energy or ‘Shakti’.
- It celebrates fertility, honours womanhood, and pays respect to mother goddesses.
- Modern Garba – heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas (dance traditionally performed by men)
Iftar (also called Eftari or Iftor) is observed by Muslims at sunset in the month of Ramadan, upon completion of all religious and ceremonial rites.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage:
- It is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage.
UNESCO defines ICH as “the mainspring of humanity’s cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.”
- Nodal office for matters relating to ICH – Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) –
- A commitment to protect, promote, and transmit the diverse expressions of human culture.
- 2 crucial lists –
- Representative List: Showcasing the global diversity of ICH, this list raises awareness of its significance and importance.
- Urgent Safeguarding List: Identifying threatened ICH, this list calls for immediate measures to ensure its survival.
- 5 broad domains –
- Oral traditions
- Performing arts
- Social practices, rituals and festive events
- Knowledge and practices concerning nature
- Traditional craftsmanship
- Significance of Inscription in ICH –
- Raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of importance of ICH.
- Provide for international cooperation and assistance for preserving/safeguarding ICH.
Sangeet Natak Akademi:
- National academy for music, dance and drama.
- An Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture
- Purpose – establishes and looks after institutions and projects of national importance in the field of the performing arts
UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Newly included in 2023 are Gwalior for Music and Kozhikode for Literature.
UNESCO Creative Cities:
- Created in 2004
- Objective: to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- 350 creative cities in more than 100 countries
- Representing 7 creative fields
- Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Kozhikode (Kerala):
- Got the City of Literature tag.
- The first to hold the title in the country.
- Prague (Czech Republic) was the first city to get the tag.
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh):
- Known for its palaces and temples
- Notable temple – Sas Bahu Ka Mandir
World Cities Day:
- Organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
- Held in a different city each year and the day focuses on a specific theme
- First held in 2014
- 2023 host city – Municipality of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey
- 2023 theme – Financing sustainable urban future for all
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
- Launch year – 2021
- Theme – “Nation first, always first”
- Meaning – Great Celebration for the Amirtham (nectar) of Independence. It is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political and economic identity.
Important events under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Meri Maati Mera Desh (Maati Ko Naman Veeron ka Vandan):
Unified celebration to pay tribute to the ‘Veers’ who laid down their lives for the country.
- Amrit Kalash Yatra: Carrying soil from all corners of the country in 7500 kalash to create an ‘Amrit Vatika’ in Delhi.
- Amrit Mahotsav Memorial: At the memorial site, people will take a solemn pledge covering Panch Pran, affirming their commitment to the country.
- Rastragaan: Hoisting of flags and singing of National Anthem at sites.
- Vasudheva vandhan: Panchayats, villages and urban local bodies will replenish Mother Earth by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and develop the ‘Amrit Vatika’
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar: Culturally map India’s 6.5 lakh villages, spanning 29 States and 7 Union Territories, on a comprehensive virtual platform under National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
Har Ghar Tiranga: Encourages people to bring the tricolour flag home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.
Kashi – Tamil Sangamam:
- Program to rediscover the centuries-old bond of knowledge and ancient civilisational linkage between Varanasi and Tamil Nadu.
- Organised by – Ministry of Education with various ministries and Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Aim – To bring to light deep academic, economic, social and cultural relationships between Varanasi and Tamil Nadu.
- Implementing agency as knowledge partner – Indian Institute of Technology (Madras) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Connections between Kashi and Tamil Nadu
Kasi Viswanathar temple:
- Location – Tenkasi (Tamil Nadu)
- Built by – Parakrama Pandyan
- Style of architecture – Dravidian style
- Dedicated Lord Shiva in a self-incarnated form (swayambu)
- Purpose – For devotees who could not visit Kashi.
Tenkasi:
- Known as Kasi of South.
- River Chittar – considered equivalent to Ganga
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB):
- Aim – To promote national integration and cultural exchange between the different states and union territories of India.
- Launched on October 31, 2015.
- Marks the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Swantatra Swar: Revolutionary poetry banned during British Raj is published.
Vande Bharatam programme: An initiative as part of Republic Day Celebrations 2023 along with Ministry of Defence, to promote the spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, while showcasing India’s vibrancy thorough its dance.
Shakti Rupen Sansthita: It was the title of the tableau of the Ministry of Culture that was showcased at the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path.
G20 – India Presidency
Theme – Vasudheiva Kudumbakam (One Earth One Family One Future)
Events held:
- G-20 March for World Peace
- G-20 Run for Women Power
- Culture All Unites, the largest display of Lambani embroidery patches was organised at Hampi, Karnataka
Lambani Embroidery:
- Named after Lambani Tribe
- An amalgam of pattern darning, mirror work, cross stitch, and overlaid and quilting stitches with borders of “Kangura” patchwork.
- Done on loosely woven dark blue or red handloom base fabric.
- Received status of Geographic Indication (GI) tag in 2010 from Karnataka.
Lambanis Community:
- Also called Lambadis or Banjaras.
- Nomadic tribes who arrived from Afghanistan to India,
- Areas spread – Rajasthan (Mewar region), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Language – ‘GorBoli’ (also called ‘Lambadi’) – It has no script
Kashi Culture Pathway:
It reflects the consensus and commitment of the G20 member based on 4 thematic priorities.
- Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property
- Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future
- Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries, and Creative Economy
- Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Promotion and Protection of Culture
Read more about: G20 | Creative Economy | India at G20
International Cultural Relations
- Festivals of India Abroad: Tools of cultural diplomacy that project India’s rich cultural heritage and its soft power
- Grant-in aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies: To promote Indian culture abroad, fostering closer friendship and cultural contacts
- Cultural Exchange Programme: It has been signed with Egypt, Colombia, Italy, Mauritius, Slovakia and Belarus to foster bilateral cooperation.
- Shared Buddhist Heritage: Organized in association with Ministry of External Affairs, it is an international conference with Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nations at New Delhi with focus on India’s civilization connect.
- Global Buddhist Summit: It is hosted in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation with the theme “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”.
- India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale, 2023: To invigorate the cultural space and creative industries and leverage the Arts for Global Cultural Diplomacy and Connect.
Trade Fairs and Festivals
- Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava: Festival on Karnataka’s culture, traditions and history.
- Vitasta: Festival to celebrate the vibrant cultural traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Utkarsh: India’s largest folk and tribal cultural event organised in Madhya Pradesh.
- Samskrita Samunmesha: National Sanskrit Convention to carry Sanskrit to the grassroot level.
- Festival of libraries: To promote development and digitization of libraries and cultivate the culture of reading.
- International Museum Expo 2023: To celebrate the International Museum Day and to institutionalize this in its annual calendar.
Remembering Birth and Death Anniversaries
125th Birth Anniversary of Sri Alluri Sitarama Raju
Prime Minister unveiled a bronze statue of Alluri Sitharama Raju in Andhra Pradesh, marking his 125th birth anniversary.
- An Indian revolutionary who led an armed campaign against British colonial rule in India.
- Born in a small village near the Coastal city of Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh
- He was an exceptionally effective guerrilla warrior.
- Nicknamed “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungle) by local villagers.
Contributions in Freedom Struggle
- Sitarama Raju, under the influence of Gandhi’s Non-cooperation movement, inspired the tribals to seek justice in the local panchayat courts and boycott the colonial courts.
- He made Adivasi areas in the Eastern Ghats and started to work for the Adivasis, who were living in abject poverty and being fleeced by police, forest and revenue officials, in ‘Manyam’ (forest area).
- He was against the 1882 Madras Forest Act, which effectively restricted the free movement of Adivasis in their forest habitats and prevented them from practicing a traditional form of agriculture known as ‘podu’.
- In 1922, he launched the Rampa Rebellion against the British.
Rampa Rebellion was a tribal uprising in the Godavari Agency of Madras Presidency which was triggered by the implementation of ‘The Madras Forest Act, 1882’.
- Alluri Sitarama Raju, along with 500 tribals, attacked the police stations of Chintapalli, Krishnadevipeta, and Rajavommangi and looted police carbine rifles and ammunition.
- In 1924, Raju was taken into police custody, tied to a tree, and shot by a public execution, effectively ending the armed rebellion.
525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Meera Bai
- One of the great saint poets of the Bhakti movement.
- She was a Saguna Bhakt
- Held a deep devotion to Lord Krishna
- Born to Rajput King Ratan Singh in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- Married to Bhoj Raj (son of Rana Sanga and prince of Mewar)
- Refused to be a part of the royal household and moved to Brindavan in pursuit of her devotion.
- Composition –
- Composed her poems in the Rajasthani dialect of Hindi and Braj
- Famous Poems – ‘Mere to giridhar gopal’, and “Paayoji maine Ram Ratan dhan paayo”
- Social Reformer –
- Disciple of Saint Ravidas who hailed from a caste considered “untouchable”.
- Her religious pursuits challenged societal norms for princesses and widows.
Bhakti Movement:
- Means personal devotion to God.
- Bhakti saints advocated for attaining God through devotion (bhakti) rather than adhering to rules, regulations, or societal structures.
- Development of the Bhakti movement –
- Tamil Nadu: Between 7th and 9th centuries
- North India: 1300 – 1550 A.D
- 2 categories –
- Saguna (with attributes): Worship of specific deities with Anthropomorphic forms such as Shiva, Vishnu, goddess.
- Nirguna (without attributes): It was a worship of an abstract form of God.
- Famous Bhakti Saints – Guru Nanak, Tulsidas, Kabirdas, Ravidas and Surdas
500th Birth centenary celebrations of Rani Durgavati
- Born in Chandel Dynasty of Mahoba in Banda, Uttar Pradesh.
- Married to Dalpatshah of Gond Dynasty of Garha-Katanga in 1542.
- She took reins of the Gond Dynasty in 1550 after Dalpatshah’s death as the guardian of her son Veer Narayan.
- Contributions –
- Reservoirs like Ranital, Cherital, and Adhartal were constructed
- Capital was shiftred from Singaurgarh to Chauragarh on the strategically important Satpura Hill Range.
- Granted permission to Acharya Bitthalnath to establish a Pushtimarg Cult center in Garha.
- Others –
- Tarikh-i-Firishta mentions Durgavati defeated Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa.
- During her reign, Akbar attacked the Gond Empire under the leadership of Asaf Khan.
- Story of Durgavati was chronicled by Abul Fazl (Akbar’s chronicler) and British Colonel, Sleeman.
Chandela dynasty:
- An Indian Rajput clan of Central India (Jejakabhukti dynasty)
- Founded by – Nanuka in 835 CE.
- Capital city – Khajuraho (later changed to Mahoba)
- Architectures –
- Khajuraho Temples of mid-10th century
- Sun temple in Mahoba and multiple temples inside of Kalinjar Fort.
200th Birth Anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati
- Dayanand Saraswati, a significant figure in 19th-century India, was a staunch believer in the Vedas’ supreme authority. In 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj, spearheading a reform movement within traditional Hinduism. The term “Arya Samaj” translates to “Make this world noble”, and he famously urged people to “Go back to Vedas”.
- He initiated the Shuddhi Movement to reintegrate individuals who had converted to other religions like Islam or Christianity, either voluntarily or involvously, back into Hinduism.
- Among his publications are Satyarth Prakash, Sanskarvidhi, and Yajurved Bhashyam.
- Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan referred to Dayanand Saraswati as “a maker of modern India”.
125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
- Subhash Chandra Bose was a key figure in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was initially a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, but later distanced himself due to ideological differences.
- In 1939, he established the Forward Bloc, an organization aimed at consolidating all anti-British forces in India. He also spearheaded an Indian National Force from overseas against the Western powers during World War II.
- Bose was a charismatic leader who greatly influenced the youth. He earned the title ‘Netaji’ by founding and leading the Indian National Army (INA) during India’s fight for independence.
150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh
- He is an Indian nationalist, poet, philosopher, and yogi who played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Movement until 1910, after which he transitioned into a spiritual reformer.
- Tagore depicted him as the Messiah of Indian Culture and Civilization, and C R Das praised him as the ‘poet of patriotism, the prophet of nationalism, and the lover of humanity.’
- He was associated with several journals and periodicals, including Jugantar, Bande Mataram, and the Karmayogi, through which he criticized British imperialism and advocated a revolutionary concept of nationalism.
- In 1908, he was arrested in connection with the Alipore Bomb Conspiracy Case but was acquitted in 1909 after a lengthy trial.
- His notable writings include The Life Divine, Savitri, Essay on the Gita, and Defense of Indian Culture, among others.
250th Birth Anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy is revered as the father of the modern Indian Renaissance due to his significant reforms, including the abolition of Sati.
- In 1828, he established the Brahmo Samaj, an organization that rejected idol-worship and opposed caste restrictions.
- The title ‘Raja’ was conferred upon him by Mughal emperor Akbar II in 1831.
- He also launched a Persian newspaper named ‘Miratul- Akhbar’ (the Mirror of News) and a Bengali weekly called ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ (the Moon of Intelligence).
400th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur
- The birth of the 9th Guru of Sikhism, Guru Tegh Bahadur, is commemorated on Guru Tegh Bahadur Jayanti.
- Sikhs often refer to him as the “Protector of Humanity”.
- He founded the town of Chak-Nanki in Punjab, which later became part of Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib.
- His writings, in the form of 116 poetic hymns, are included in the sacred text, ‘Guru Granth Sahib’.
- He opposed the forced conversion of the Hindu Kashmiri Pandits by Mughal ruler Aurangazeb and faced persecution.
150th birth anniversary of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Sureshwar
- Vallabhsuri, also known as Punjab Kesari, led a simple life as a Jain Saint to propagate the teachings of Lord Mahavira.
- He emphasized education and inspired Jains to establish more educational institutions.
- He participated in the Swadeshi movement led by Mahatma Gandhi for India’s independence.
- The Statute of Peace was dedicated to him in Rajasthan by the Government of India in 2021.
Other Related Initiatives
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design: Launched at Delhi to pave the way for a sustainable cultural economy derived from the indigenous crafts of India by empowering the artisan communities with new designs and innovations.
- Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav: Organised in Mumbai to promote National Unity and integrity through cultural exchange.
- Kala Samantar: An art gala uniting visual and performing arts in a beautiful symphony organised by National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
Source: PIB