UPSC Community Blog

Intangible cultural heritage Include traditions, living expression of ancestors include Oral tradition, social practices, ritual, festival, fairs and crafts also Criteria for being recognised as Intangible cultural heritage: It must be traditional, Living and contemporary Inclusive of all the stakeholders Representative in nature of the community Community based heritage List of India’s Intangible Cultural heritage Koodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre) Recognised in 2008 Associated in kerala Performed by Chakyiar Caste Male and Nambiyar caste female Last for 6 to 20 days have hindu theme Performed inside temples Both Sanskrit and malayalam language used Mizhavu is special musical instrument used Ramlila Included in 2008 On the theme of ramayana before dussehra include dance,drama and dialogue Male played all the roles even of sita Played during sharada Navartara for 10-12 days Bakshi ka Talab a ramlla started by muslim youth in lucknow Tradition of vedic chanting Recitation of vedic text Olde...

Criteria for Selection The nominated sites must be of “outstanding universal value” and should meet at least one of the ten mentioned criteria listed below. Criteria for Cultural Sites Represents a masterpiece of human creative genius. Exhibits an important interchange of human values over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental art, town planning or landscape design. Bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation that is living or which has disappeared. An outstanding example of a type of building, architectural, or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history. An outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. It is directly or tangibly associa...

Greek Travellers Megasthenes An ancient Greek historian, diplomat and explorer. Visited India between 302 to 288 BC as an ambassador of Greek warrior Seleucus I Nikator during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. Book - Indica. Famous Greek writers such as Arrian, Strabo, Diodorus, and Pliny referred to Indica in their works. Indica described the geography of India. It also gives us the details of soils, rivers, plants, animals, administration and the social and religious life of India. Indians worshiped Lord Krishna during that time and there existed seven castes in India. He founded two major aspects of Indian caste system, i.e. endogamy and hereditary occupation. Deimachos Period - 320-273 BC. Came to India during the reign of Bindusara. Chinese Travellers Fa-Hien A Chinese pilgrim. Visited India during the Gupta period around 400 AD during the period of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). He came to visit various Buddhist monasteries and took copies of religious texts. He studied Sanskrit...

    Bharat Ratna It is the highest civilian award bestowed by the Republic of India. Literal meaning is ‘Jewel of India’. Awarded to exceptional individuals who have performed in the highest order. First given in 1954. Criteria - Artists who had outstanding achievements in art, science, literature and public service, but in December 2011, the criteria were expanded to include ‘any field of human endeavour’. The Prime Minister of India makes the recommendations to the President of India. Not more than three people in a particular year for the award. No money is given to the awardees. Awardees are given a peepal- leaf shaped medal and a certificate (sanad). According to the Indian Order of Precedence, those who are given Bharat Ratna are ranked seventh. As per the interpretation of the Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient's name. Padma Awards Introduced in 1954. Criteria - Given to deserving individuals for their exce...

Article 49 has vested upon the Government of India with the responsibility to protect every monument or place or any object of historic or artistic interest which has some national importance, from any form of disfigurement, destruction, etc. There are various Government and Non-Government organisations that specialise in safeguarding the long cultural traditions of India. The Archaeological Survey of India Under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. Its focus is on the preservation of physical and tangible heritage that is accumulated in the ancient monuments and archaeological sites. The provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972 (to prevent illegal export of Indian antiquities) guide ASI. Other institutions under ASI’s aegis include the Museums, Excavation branches, Epigraphy branches, Building Survey Projects, Horticulture branch, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing. Centre for...

  A Fair is a temporary gathering of people for a variety of activities which may be religious, entertainment or commercial. Kumbh Mela Largest religious gathering in the world. People come to take a dip in the holy river. Places where the Kumbh is held: Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) - At the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Ganga. Nashik-Trimbak - (Maharashtra) - Godavari. Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) - Shipra. According to Hindu mythology, during the ‘Samudra Manthan’, i.e. churning of the ocean, ‘Amrit’, i.e. drink of immortality was produced and stored in a ‘Kumbh’ (pot). In the battle of the Devas and the Asuras, Lord Vishnu dropped drops of Amrit while transporting the Kumbh. The exact dates are determined according to the zodiac positions of the Sun, Moon and the planet Jupiter. At Nashik and Ujjain, if the mela is held when a planet is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology), it is called Simhastha Kumbh. In 2017, Kumbh Mela was declared...

    NATIONAL FESTIVALS These are celebrated on the occurrence of great historical events of national importance. Inculcates a strong feeling of patriotism in the minds of Indians. India celebrates three National Festivals namely: 26th January - Republic Day. 15th August - Independence Day. 2nd October - Gandhi Jayanti. RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS Diwali or Deepawali Festival of lights. Celebrated on the New moon (Amavasya) day in the month of Kartik which generally falls in October and November. The day before the festival is called Naraka Chaturdashi. Dev Deepawali Celebrated in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). Celebrated 15 days after Diwali. People have a tradition of lighting lamps on the ghats of River Ganga there. It is also observed as Tripura Purnima Snan. Holi Festival of Colours. It falls in the month of Phalguna (February-March). It signifies the win of good over evil, i.e. burning of Holika and saving of Bhakt Prahlad. In West Bengal and parts of Assam, it is known as Dol Jatra. ...