Cultural Identity Is In Danger

In the present day world, we are very fast loosing the cultural identity of a particular community . Everything is getting globalised. But I think, we need to strive for sustaining our individual cultural identity ( which encompasses so many varied aspects like our traditional knowledge, fairs& festivals,recipes, healing system,food habits, rituals being performed during our family events, vernacular language etc….). Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is considered by member nations of UNESCO comparable to the tangible world heritage zeroing in on intangible parts of culture . Just for example, many of our Odia children do not have any idea about Odia New Year, but wait anxiously to observe the English New Year ( i.e on Ist January). Intangible heritage comprises of nonphysical scholarly riches, like fables, customs, convictions, customs, traditional knowledge , our spoken language etc .

Here is an appeal to the state government, Odisha. 

A country can apply for ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ status ( given by UNESCO)for only one event in a year. Our state government ( Odisha)should apply for Rathyatra , Durga Puja,  Dhanuyatra and many more with a properly documented and convincing proposal for the said status of ICH. In the recent past ( December 2021), Kolkata Durga Puja has been accorded the status of an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage ( ICH)’ .

Cuttack is known for the two primary celebrations in Odisha, Durga Puja, and Bali Jatra. In excess of 100 Durga Puja pandals are raised around here and you can see probably the most gorgeous Durga Puja pedestals in Cuttack. Another celebration is the Bali Yatra. There are different colonies better known as ‘Sahi’ having their own Durga Puja pandals. Nowadays, several of those Sahis have come up with golden crowns for their Durga idols ( the photos attached) . There also lies very lavishly decorated silver background supports in each of those Durga idols. Let’s have a look at those delicately designed golden crowns.

For information on many of such unique facts about Art Forms, Archaeological Monuments ,Cultural and Heritage Resources( both tangible and intangible)etc.  please log in to the following link.

lunarsecstacy.com

Dr. Manoj Mishra

lunarsecstasy@gmail.com

#durga #intangibleculturalheritage #durgapuja #UNESCO #india #Odisha #Cuttack #cuttackdurgapuja #Baliyatra #rathyatra 

Image source: CUTTACK PUJA FESTIVALS