Kolkata Durga puja bags UNESCO heritage tag; Modi, Mamata hail move as 'proud moment'

Kolkata’s Durga Puja has found a place in the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, being the 14th such cultural activity including the Kumbh Mela, the Ramlila, yoga and Navroz festival.

The Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 16th session being held at Paris, France from December 13 to 18, the government said in a statement.

“The Committee commended Durga Puja for its initiatives to involve marginalised groups and individuals as well as women in their participation in safeguarding the element,” the release said.

Union culture minister G Kishan Reddy tweeted the development. “Durga Puja in Kolkata joins the @UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is a recognition of the confluence of our rich heritage, culture, rituals & practices and a celebration of the feminine divinity & the spirit of womanhood,” Reddy tweeted.

In its inscription, UNESCO said that the Durga Puja is seen as a fine example of public performance of religion and art and that it is a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers. “The festival is characterised by large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as by traditional Bengali drumming and veneration of the goddess. During the event, the divides of class, religion and ethnicities collapse as crowds of spectators walk around to admire the installations,” UNESCO’s inscription said.

Adopted in the UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list of intangible cultural heritage is classified into five broad categories. This includes oral traditions and expressions, including languages; performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship.

Modi has hailed UNESCO's decision as a "matter of great pride and joy for every Indian".

"Durga Puja highlights the best of our traditions and ethos. And, Kolkata's Durga Puja is an experience everyone must have," he said.

The chief minister underlined that Durga puja was not just a festival, but an emotion.

"Proud moment for Bengal! To every #Bengali across the world, Durga Puja is much more than a festival, it is an emotion that unites everyone. And now, #DurgaPuja has been added to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We are all beaming with joy!" she tweeted.

The Ministry of Culture, too, took to the microblogging platform to extend its wishes to the residents of the city on this achievement.

"Overjoyed that 'Durga Puja in Kolkata' joins the @UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Many congratulations! It is a confluence of the rich heritage and culture of the county’s art, crafts, rituals and practices. Jai Maa Durga!" the ministry wrote.

The department of state information and cultural affairs in Bengal issued a statement to congratulate the people of the state as well as the country.

The department also noted that this was the "first festival in Asia" to get such recognition.

"It is a red letter day for us. In real sense Bengal is now Biswa Bangla. Our congratulations to all the people of Bengal, country and the world. We convey our thanks and gratitude to UNESCO for the recognition bestowed on this great festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," the statement maintained.

(With PTI inputs)

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