Three Cultural Traditions of Madhya Pradesh Added to National Heritage List
On April 30, three cultural traditions from Madhya Pradesh – the Bhagoria dance of the Bhil tribe, Gond painting, and Narmada Parikrama – have now been included in India's national list of intangible cultural heritage. Prior to this, Bhopal’s “Char Bait” and Indore’s “Gher” were already part of this list. With this, Madhya Pradesh now has five traditions included in the list, which could also be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list of intangible cultural heritage.
Until now, only the Kumbh Mela (Simhastha) from Ujjain has been included in the UNESCO list from Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav called it a matter of pride for the state.
Intangible Cultural Heritage: Intangible cultural heritage refers to living traditions passed down through generations. It includes oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, festivals, traditional knowledge, and folk arts. These traditions are deeply linked to people's lives, experiences, and customs. On the other hand, tangible cultural heritage involves physical objects such as monuments, buildings, statues, or paintings.
The proposal to include these three traditions in the national list was sent last year, as informed by Shivshekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh. The proposal was forwarded to the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), which has now recognized and included these traditions in the national list.
Narmada Parikrama is the only river pilgrimage in the world where devotees walk around the river. This 2,600 km journey stretches from Amarkantak to the Gulf of Khambhat. Gond painting, originating from the Mandla-Dindori region, shows a deep connection to nature and culture. Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam brought this form of art to global recognition, and it has received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag. The Bhagoria dance, a traditional dance of the Bhil tribe in Jhabua-Alirajpur, uses traditional attire and instruments like the mandal, dhol, and other folk instruments.
Previously, Bhopal’s “Char Bait” and Indore’s “Gher” (Rang Panchami) were already part of this heritage list. The “Char Bait” is a poetic style that combines romance with valor in its expression.