A glowing recognition: How Diwali made it to UNESCO heritage list

How many inscriptions does India have on the list?

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List now features around 700 elements corresponding to 140 countries. India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting, and Ramlila. The 20th session of the panel is underway from December 8 to 13 at the Red Fort. For the next year’s cycle, India has sent a nomination dossier for Bihar’s Chhat Puja for consideration of the committee.

How does an element or a tradition make it to the list?

To be included on the list, UNESCO says intangible cultural heritage should be inclusive, representative and community-based. For instance, a couple of years ago, UNESCO voted to include the “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread”. Reflecting on the addition of France’s staple bread to the list, UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said this “celebrates the French way of life: the baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality”.

She added: “It is important that these skills and social habits continue to exist in the future.”

As the world becomes increasingly globalised and conflict-ridden, the need to conserve the social histories of its diverse communities is more urgent than ever, as per UNESCO. The list has a specific section which highlights the customs most at risk. In December 2022, of the 39 elements added to the list, four were flagged as those in urgent need of safeguarding: Vietnam’s art of pottery-making of Chăm people, Chile’s Santa Cruz de Cuca pottery; Albania’s handcrafted garment of Xhubleta; and Turkiye’s traditional Ahlat stonework.

What does it mean for the festival?

India’s pitch for Deepavali is also aimed at the large Indian diaspora. The Intergovernmental Committee advances the objectives of the 2003 Convention signed by member countries and ensures their effective implementation across member states. It offers guidance on best practices, recommends safeguarding measures and mobilises resources for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.

Diwali’s inscription on the list elevates the festival’s status, encourages safeguarding its traditions and increases its international visibility as a living cultural expression. In a tangible sense, it will boost tourism and cultural exchanges, and look to ensure a sustainable livelihood for artisans who contribute to keeping its traditions alive.