Foods of India, Sacred and the Ordinary

The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Division is actively engaged in documenting India’s diverse food culture through a project titled “Foods of India: Sacred and the Ordinary.” This project aims to explore selected ingredients, highlighting their cultural, ritualistic, and culinary significance. It examines how each ingredient is contextualized within sacred temple offerings, ritualistic traditions, and exclusive regional cuisines, with folklore and historical... Read More

Dhaulpur Cultural Documentation

The documentation explored several prominent landmarks across Dhaulpur, including Jubilee Hall, Nihal Tower, and the Mughal Garden. The annual Sharad Mahotsav, which draws thousands of visitors each year, was also documented in detail. As part of the documentation, Shri Daljeet Singh shared the rich history of his forefathers' establishment of a mining unit in Sarmathura, a tehsil of Dhaulpur, and the creation of a narrow-gauge railway for transporting the renowned Dhaulpur... Read More

The Intangible Heritage of Lucknow

In 2017, the INTACH Lucknow Chapter conducted a comprehensive study on the intangible heritage of Lucknow. The study explored various aspects, including costumes, cuisines, rituals, traditions, local festivals, dance, music, arts and crafts, vanishing skills, and the social fabric and communities of Lucknow. Awadh has always been one of the wealthiest regions in India, both in terms of wealth and culture. It was the cradle of Indian civilization, the target of numerous invasions, and a... Read More

Endangered Traditional Cuisines of Jaisalmer Region

In 2018, the INTACH Gwalior Chapter initiated a project to document and list the traditional cuisines of the Thar Desert. The culinary traditions of this region are influenced by various dry fruits, such as chilgoza, almonds, and raisins, as well as spices like saffron. The predominantly non-vegetarian Rajputs have impacted dishes like like laal maas, safed maas, khad khargos, and jungli maas. Foods that can be stored for several days and eaten without reheating are... Read More

Ganga: A Love Beyond Reason (2024) – Audio-Visual Documentation

Ganga Film (Poster) This year (2024), the ICH Division embarked on a significant project, producing a one-hour documentary film titled ‘Ganga: A Love Beyond Reason’, which delves into the rich cultural heritage of key, yet lesser-known intangible cultural heritage aspects of districts spanning Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The film captures and documents these unique domains of ICH, showcasing the special cultural treasures and traditions along the Ganga... Read More