IGNCA Showcases India’s Cultural Heritage Through Three Publications and Two Documentaries
Experts Call for Stronger Documentation, Youth Participation and Community-Led Initiatives to Safeguard India’s Tangible and Intangible Heritage
New Delhi, October 17, 2026: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), in collaboration with the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, organised a special programme titled “Safeguarding Heritage – Book Discussion and Documentaries Preview” to mark UNESCO’s International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event brought together cultural experts, scholars and policymakers to discuss the preservation of India’s living traditions, documentary resources, historic sites and indigenous knowledge systems.
Organised by IGNCA’s Kala Nidhi Division, the programme featured three publications and previews of two documentaries, highlighting India’s contributions to UNESCO’s cultural heritage initiatives and the importance of sustained efforts to document and transmit cultural knowledge to future generations.
The programme was attended by Mr. Tim Curtis, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, chaired the event.
Other distinguished participants included Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi; Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); Prof. Ramesh C. Gaur, Professor and Dean at South Asian University; and Dr. Arvind Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Prof. K. Anil Kumar, Head of IGNCA’s Kala Nidhi Division, was also present.
Three Publications Document India’s Heritage Contributions
The programme highlighted three books addressing different dimensions of India’s engagement with UNESCO’s heritage programmes:
- Safeguarding Living Heritage: India’s Contribution to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and Creative Cities Network, authored by Ramesh C. Gaur, Archana Lochan, Ashna Kumar and Mayank Singh.
- From Manuscript to Memory: India’s Contribution to UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, authored by Ramesh C. Gaur and Mayank Shekhar.
- Tangible and Natural Heritage Sites of Incredible India: India’s Contributions to UNESCO World Heritage List, authored by Ramesh C. Gaur and Sadish Sharma.
Together, the publications examine India’s efforts to safeguard living cultural practices, preserve documentary and manuscript heritage, and promote its significant tangible and natural heritage sites. The discussions also underscored the need for systematic documentation and stronger institutional capabilities to support heritage recognition and conservation.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi Calls for Stronger Heritage Documentation
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi emphasised that robust documentation and the development of young scholars are essential to preserving India’s cultural legacy. He highlighted IGNCA’s work in building specialised scholarship, training researchers in the preparation of nomination dossiers and raising awareness among institutions and heritage practitioners.
According to Dr. Joshi, the preparation of the dossiers by IGNCA’s in-house experts reflects the importance of developing institutional knowledge and professional capacity. He also called for the establishment of a National Register and a National Heritage Committee to strengthen the documentation, recognition and preservation of the country’s diverse heritage.
Stressing the relationship between written records and living traditions, he advocated an integrated approach to heritage research. He reaffirmed IGNCA’s commitment to supporting scholars, encouraging community participation and facilitating national and international heritage nominations.
He further highlighted the importance of involving younger generations in preserving cultural traditions and ensuring that India’s heritage remains relevant to future communities.
UNESCO Representative Advocates an Integrated Approach
Mr. Tim Curtis stressed that tangible, intangible and documentary heritage should be understood as interconnected elements of living culture rather than isolated categories.
Referring to examples such as the Natya Shastra and the historic city of Ahmedabad, he explained how documentary records, artistic practices and historic spaces complement one another in understanding cultural heritage.
He observed that inclusion in UNESCO’s heritage lists should be viewed as a means of safeguarding cultural assets rather than an end in itself. Effective conservation, he emphasised, requires coordinated action, stronger national recognition mechanisms and initiatives rooted in local communities.
Mr. Curtis also highlighted the challenge of representing India’s immense cultural diversity through UNESCO’s nomination processes while maintaining established standards and equitable global representation. He underlined the need to involve younger generations and strengthen the transmission of traditions between generations.
Performing Arts and Languages at the Heart of Living Heritage
Dr. Sandhya Purecha highlighted the contribution of performing arts, languages and traditional knowledge to sustaining India’s living heritage. She discussed Sangeet Natak Akademi’s role in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage programme and called for a structured system of documentation supported by expert panels, capacity-building programmes and assured funding.
She also emphasised that linguistic diversity and cultural traditions can be preserved only through a combination of research, documentation and continued community practice.
Ministry of Culture Highlights International Cultural Cooperation
Dr. Arvind Kumar underlined the importance of the three publications and two documentaries in expanding public awareness of India’s cultural heritage. He referred to initiatives such as Brihattar Bharat and Project Mausam, which seek to strengthen cultural connections and explore opportunities for collaborative international heritage nominations.
He also highlighted cultural outreach initiatives, including the Festival of India and India Friendship Society programmes, noting the role of cultural exchange in strengthening international relationships.
Dr. Kumar emphasised that preserving heritage also means making it accessible and meaningful to future generations, observing that cultural connections can bring people together across geographical boundaries.
ASI Explains the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Process
Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat outlined the process through which heritage properties are considered for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. He explained the various stages, beginning with inclusion in the Tentative List and preliminary assessment, followed by detailed evaluation by UNESCO’s advisory bodies.
He stressed the importance of comprehensive documentation, effective management plans, coordination among relevant agencies and adequate financial and institutional resources.
Given India’s extensive cultural and natural heritage, prioritising nominations remains a significant challenge. Shri Rawat noted that UNESCO inscription also brings continuing responsibilities for conservation, monitoring and community engagement, alongside opportunities for international cooperation and technical support.
Research and Documentaries Promote Cultural Awareness
Prof. Ramesh C. Gaur highlighted the value of the three publications in documenting India’s participation in UNESCO’s World Heritage, Memory of the World and Intangible Cultural Heritage programmes.
He stressed the need for a National Register, structured nomination procedures and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen India’s participation in the Memory of the World Programme.
The programme also featured previews of two documentaries addressing linguistic diversity and indigenous education: Roots of Learning: Multilingualism and Mother Tongue Education for Indigenous Groups in India. The press release also identified a documentary titled College Street, Kolkata: Boi Para, produced by IGNCA. These works highlight the importance of language, traditional knowledge, intellectual heritage and cultural spaces in shaping India’s identity.
Prof. K. Anil Kumar delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, IGNCA, UNESCO and the India Interna
