Ritual theatres of India and UNESCO listing
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What happened
- UNESCO’s ICH Representative List includes four Indian ritual theatre forms: Kutiyattam, Mudiyettu, Ramman and Ramlila; India has 15 ICH elements listed [PIB].
- Mudiyettu is a Kerala dance-drama of Kali’s fight with Darika; Ramman is held in Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand, for Bhumiyal Devta [PIB].
Background
- UNESCO’s ICH Convention defines five broad domains [PIB].
Why it matters
- Ritual theatres survive through community use; listing helps but needs local patronage.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-09-29): UNESCO's ICH Representative List includes four Indian ritual theatre forms: Kutiyattam, Mudiyettu, Ramman and Ramlila; India has 15 ICH elements listed.
- Ritual theatres survive through community use; listing helps but needs local patronage.
Quotable data pointIndia has 15 ICH elements listed.
PIB: Sacred Stages: Ritual Theatres of India, 29 Sep 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: ICH elements.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Ramman is performed in
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Mudiyettu depicts the fight between
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Official source: PIB: Sacred Stages: Ritual Theatres of India, 29 Sep 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending