GS Paper: GS1

So far in Art & Heritage Institution series, we’ve learnt about institutions that preserve our heritage and promote our diverse arts- at the national level. But one of India’s key asset globally is its “soft-power” or Cultural diplomacy which involves the use of cultural influence.

In this post, we will learn about those Institutions that enable India to exert such influence.

1. INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS (ICCR)

source

• ICCR is analogous to the British Council, France’s Alliance Francaise, Germany’s Goethe-Institut and China’s Confucius Institute
• Founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister
  • Maulana also helped establish other institutions that we’ve covered previously in this series such as Sahitya Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi. He also founded Lalit Kala Akademi <promotes Visual Arts- Folk and Contemporary>
• Soft power vision, ‘to promote a communion of cultures and a creative dialogue among nations.’
• Its broad mandate is to develop relations with:
  • Other countries and peoples (Cultural agreements with 72 countries)
  • National and inter-national organisations in the field of culture

General assembly

• Consists of representatives each of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi
• Eminent artistes from the fields of performing, fine and plastic arts
• Representatives of universities or of institutions
• President shall be appointed by the President of India and shall hold office for three years

Initiatives:

1. Exhibitions

• Organizing various Foreign film festivals
• Sponsors individual performers in dance, music, photography, theatre, and the visual arts. Here it collaborates with Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi and other such institutions.

2. Academic

• Council sends visiting professors to collaborate in the teaching and research programmes of foreign universities relating to Indian studies and Indian languages

3. Scholarships

• 6252 foreign students are studying in Indian Universities and other Institutions on scholarship provided by ICCR
• ICCR has 20 Regional Offices (ROs) to look after the welfare of foreign students.
• India-Africa Relationship: ICCR offered 900 scholarships around 54 countries of Africa in the past decade.

4. Promotion of Indology

• ICCR has helped fund programmes on Indology in Russia at the University of Moscow. It is one of the key element of Indo-Russian diplomatic goodwill.
• Indology is the study of the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent, especially Ancient India (Vedic studies et al)

5. Promoting Hindi <which Article in our Constitution mandates this?>

• ICCR, carries out various activities to popularize and promote Hindi language in other countries
• Chairs of hindi language in universities
• Translating works of World Literature into Hindi and other Indian languages
• Translation of Sanskrit and Hindi classics into foreign languages
• Celebration of the ‘‘World Hindi day” on 10th of January every year (across the world along with Ministry of External Affairs)
  • Trap Info: A different occasion- National Hindi Divas is celebrated in India on September 14 every year to mark the day on which the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as the “Official” Language of the Union.
• Bi-monthly Hindi journal – “Gagananchal“

6. Notable Publications

• Indian Horizons in English
• Africa Quarterly in English

Comparison between China’s Confucius Institute (CI) and ICCR:

• In ICCR’s 64 years of existence it has only 37 overseas centres, while today there are over 480 CIs having started in 2004 only.
• CIs function inside established universities, colleges and schools world over <ICCR can also follow this strategy to increase penetration>
• Unlike CI, ICCR is autonomous body
• India can learn from CI and help promote Yoga through ICCR’s extensive network in over 90 countries.

2. INDIAN COUNCIL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH (ICHR)

source

• Established by an Executive Order
• Disburses “funds” for carrying out research to indian and foreign scholars
• Aid received from the Department of Higher Education in the MoHRD <NOT Ministry of Culture>

Objective: National direction to an objective and Scientific writing of history

Composition:

• Eminent historian nominated by the Government
• Representative of the UGC
• Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India <Logo- Sanchi Stupa + Emblem>
• Director General of the National Archives of India

Journals:

1. Indian Historical Review (bi-annually)
2. Itihas (in Hindi)

Published with inputs from Amar 

Of late, UPSC has shown a liking for asking questions on Institutions beyond that of Government. Few examples include International NGOs such as Amnesty International in 2015 and Domestic charities such as Bombay Natural History Society in 2014.

Keeping prelims in mind, within the context of ongoing series of Heritage Institutions, let us understand about INTACH. It is also important from Mains GS-2 perspective (Role of NGOs) because some call it a Civil Society alternative to Archaeological Survey of India <we’ve already covered that in detail in the 1st part of this series, do read up on it>

source

Background

• INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) was founded in 1984, is an autonomous NGO for preservation of Indian Art and Cultural Heritage
• Its motto is “Dedicated to Conservation“

Tasks undertaken by INTACH

• Restoration of monuments that fall outside the coverage of Archaeological Survey of India and other government agencies <Remember that ASI hasn’t shown much interest towards working with INTACH>
• Advocacy for heritage property conservation
• Public awareness through heritage walks and buses <Just like Bombay Natural History Society does, its a common feature of these type of NGOs>
• Establishment of heritage clubs in schools
• Holding of awareness workshop for teachers of schools and colleges

Some notable works done by INTACH

1. It had developed Raghurajpur, Orissa, a place famous for its ‘Pattachitra’ artists and ‘Gotipua’ dance troupes as a heritage village, which has now become a major rural tourist destination
   • Pattachitra is a cloth-based scroll painting of Odisha. Patta = Cloth and Chitra = Picture. Most of these paintings depict stories of Hindu deities of Jagannath and Vaishnava Sect. It has also been given a GI tag. To know more about GI tags, click here to read.
     
   • Gotipua is a traditional dance form of Odisha, and the precursor of Odissi. Its name comes from Gopi (Single boys), who dress as women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. The dance is executed by a group of boys who perform acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna.
     
2. It later used the same pattern to develop Padmanabhpur village, Ganjam district, Orissa, famous for its weavers and folk dancers, into another heritage destination

What can we learn from INTACH’s mission?

• Sensitizing the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India
• Instill a sense of social responsibility towards preserving India’s common heritage <Similar to our Fundamental Duty as per Article 51A>
• Undertake emergency response measures during natural or man-made disasters and support the local administration whenever heritage is threatened

In the next article, we will learn about few notable Autonomous Institutions promoting Arts under Ministry of Culture. This will include Sahitya Akademi and others.

Published with inputs from Amar | Pic: Hindu, Tvsarts

What’s an intangible heritage?

As defined by UNESCO, cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants.

Per UNESCO, Intangible cultural heritage is:

1. Traditional, contemporary and living at the same time
2. Inclusive – contributes to social cohesion, encouraging a sense of identity
3. Representative – skills and customs passed on to the rest of the community, from generation to generation
4. Community-based

9 Indian Arts forms which found their way into the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

#1. Koodiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre, Kerala

1. Koodiyattam is the oldest existing classical theatre form in the entire world, having originated much before Kathakali and most other theatrical forms
2. Koodiyattam was traditionally a part of the temple rituals
3. Traditionally, Koodiyattam is presented by Chakyars, a temple caste of Kerala, and Nangiars, the women of Nambiar caste

#2. Mudiyett: a ritual theatre of Kerala

Kerala again!

1. A traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika
2. Mudiyettu is a communal undertaking in which each caste of the village plays a specific role
3. Being a community based art form it is the community that has traditionally encouraged and trained the next generation to preserve the art form

#3. The Tradition of Vedic Chanting

source

The traditional way of reciting the Vedas is called Vedic chanting. Vedas are the primary source of knowledge on Hindu traditions. They comprise of the Hindu philosophy, myth, poetry and dialogue. The Vedas go back to about 3,500 years to the time of the Aryans, though they were written down much later. There are four chief Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva.

#4. Ramlila – the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana

source

#5. Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas

source

The Ramman is a religious festival manifested in the form of ritual theatre annually held at Saloor Dungra village, in the Painkhanda Valley of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India.

The Ramman is not replicated or performed at any other site in the Himalayas, being specific to both location and time.

#6. Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan

source

1. Kalbelia is actually an untouchable community from Rajasthan who has always lived on the outskirts of villages and relied on entertaining people for their livelihood
2. They are also the community who are traditionally snake charmers
3. Most famous for their sensuous form of dancing, also called Kalbelia, which mimics the movements of snakes in some sense

#7. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh

source

#8. Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur

source

Performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains

#9. Traditional brass and copper craft – Thatheras

source

The craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru constitutes the traditional technique of manufacturing brass and copper utensils in Punjab.

Did we miss out on something important? Do let us know in comments here or add to the existing knowledge base!

# Different Forms of Traditional Theatre in India:

• Part 1 – Bhand Pather, Swang, Nautanki, Raasleela, Bhavai, Jatra
• Part 2 – Maach, Bhoona, Dashavatar, Krishnattam, Yakshagaana, Therukoothu.

[Related reading: 9 Indian Arts in the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage]

# Dances of India:

• Classical Dances of India – Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, The Sattriya Dance, Kathakali, Bharatnatyam
•  Folk Dances Of India – Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Bathukamma – Telangana’s Floral Festival, Dumhal Dance, Hikat Dance, Hurka Baul, Tera Tali dance, Kalbelia, The Koli dance, Haryanvi dance.

 # The High and Mighty Kings of India [Click here]

• Kanishka
• Ashoka
• Kharavela

# Indian Paintings:

• A Digest on Indian Painting: Wall, Miniature & Modern – Cave architecture [Related: All about caves], Ajanta and Ellora, the Indian wall paintings, Kalamkari.

 # Indian Literature:

• Indian literature through the ages – Vedas, Puranas,Jataka, Panchatantra and Hitopdesha, Sangam literature

 # Architecture:

• Indus Valley Architecture
• Palaces, Forts and Stupas

 # Music of India

• Regional Music – Songs of the North-East, Tappa (Punjab), Powada (Maharashtra), Laman (Himachal Pradesh), Alha (Bundelkhand), Barhamasa from Kumaon, Pandavani, Lotia, Pankhida (Rajasthan)

 # Arts & Heritage Institutions

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – ASI – Background, Initiatives, Issues and Challenges; National Monument Authority (NMA)
• INTACH: An autonomous NGO for preservation of Indian Art and Cultural Heritage
• Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi
• Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Indian Council Of Historical Research (ICHR)

 # Protecting and Conserving our artifacts:

• Museums of India and Associated Issues – Notable Museums, Issues being faced and the way ahead, International Museum Day (IMD); Related: Five museums from India among top 25 in Asia
•  Theft of Artifacts & Antiquities, Domestic Laws and International Conventions
• Repatriation of Artifacts & Antiquities under Colonial Possession

 #Spiritual Tourism:

• PRASAD Cities- Ajmer and Amaravati – About the PRASAD Scheme, PRASAD versus HRIDAY? Ajmer, Amaravati.
• PRASAD Cities- Amritsar, Gaya, Dwarka and Kamakhya
• PRASAD Cities- Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri

 # Jallikattu

• Culture vs Cruelty to animals debate

# Miscellaneous

• Indian Heritage & Culture – ICHR’s Encyclopedia of village folklore, Khangchendzonga National Park, World Heritage Site list, Shalimar Pavilion, Everlasting Flame International Programme, Chapchar Kut, Kondane cave art, Muziris Heritage Project, Indian Heritage Cities Network, HRIDAY, Pongal, Ganga Sagar Mela, UNESCO, Vesara style (Chalukyan or Deccan style) of Indian architecture, Someshwara temple, Channapatna craft, World Indology Conference, Terra Madre, Festival of Flowers’ Bathukamma, Kalarippayattu, The Martand Sun Temple, Shore temple, Virupaksha temple at Hampi, The Apsidal Durga, Sanchi – The oldest extant Buddhist sanctuary, Kushinagar, Mahabodhi Temple.