Vol 1 No 1, 2025 Research Article
Aniket Pandya1 Nidhi Shendurnikar, PhD2
1Visiting Faculty of Performing Arts at the Faculty of Journalism & Communication, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India.
2Former Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Journalism & Communication, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India.
DOI: To be assigned
[Article History: Received: 30 Apr 2025. Accepted: 31 May 2025. Published: 05 June 2025]
Abstract
During the 18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), held in Kasane, Botswana, from 5 to 9 December 2023, the ‘Garba of Gujarat’ was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Garba became the 15th ICH element from India in this list. In the backdrop of India’s rich tapestry of traditional culture and ancient knowledge, folk arts from different regions in the country constitute an integral part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. This paper examines traditional art forms from Gujarat, specifically Bhavai and Garba, to explore and understand how, against the backdrop of changing cultural dynamics and modernization, these art forms face challenges that imperil their continued existence, thereby raising concerns about the potential loss of invaluable cultural knowledge. Through a multi-pronged qualitative and exploratory research approach, combining the use of existing academic literature and field research in the form of interviews with practitioners, artists, and communities, the study establishes the historical significance, cultural context, and the present status of both these art forms. Bhavai and Garba embody a repository of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and indigenous wisdom that merits preservation and cultural revival to ensure the continued transmission of knowledge and the sustainability of India’s civilizational ethos. The research is placed at the intersection of folk-art traditions and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The study aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic documentation of the historicity, storytelling traditions, and artistic expressions found in Bhavai and Garba, which represent indigenous knowledge embedded in India’s civilization. We also investigate steps taken to preserve these art forms through societal initiatives and policy interventions. The study discusses recommendations, strategies, policies, and community-driven initiatives within the IKS framework aimed at revitalizing Bhavai and Garba. It contributes valuable insights to cultural studies, performing arts, and the broader discourse on the preservation and promotion of traditional art forms, recognizing them as integral components of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Keywords: Bhavai, folk art, Garba, intangible cultural heritage, Indian Knowledge Systems, Gujarat.
