Friday, December 3, 2010

U.N. adds Chhau Dance to Heritage List

A United Nations committee added Chhau dance, a traditional dance of eastern India to a list of "intangible heritages" that need preservation. Chhau dance, prevalent in parts of the states of Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand, has been included in the list along with two other Indian performing art forms - Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan and Mudiyettu, a ritual theatre of Kerala.

The additions were among 51 items added to The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The list highlights elements needing protection against the increasing urbanization and globalization.

The Chhau dance, famed for its crafted masks and mock combat movements, is in need of support due to the backwardness of the area where this dance form is practised.

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity now comprises 213 elements.

2 comments:

  1. THIS NEWS MAKES ME PROUD AND ALSO HOPE FULL REGARDING THE PRESERVATION OF THE TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCE..

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  2. Yes Abhishek, With a civilization of more than Five Thousnad years, that too continuous, India has many jewels in her crown when it comes to folk dances.

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