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 River. These include indigenous knowledge systems, folklore, performing arts, oral history, fairs, festivals, crafts, and more. The documentary features:
 
●      Archaeological Sites and Historicity: Exploration of ancient sites and their historical context; Historians/Archaeologists perspectives
●      Stakeholders/Cultural practitioners’ perspectives
●      Pothi System: Traditional genealogy registers of Haridwar and Garhmukteshwar
●      Block Printing: Techniques of the Sadh community
●      Tabla Gharana of Farrukhabad: A distinguished school of tabla music
●      Kajri of Mirzapur: Traditional folk music
●      Carpet and Brassware industry of Mirzapur
●      Varanasi Aarti: The lesser-known aspects of the iconic worship ritual at the Ghats of Varanasi
●      Zari and Zardozi of Chandauli: Detailed embroidery styles
●      Manjusha Art: A traditional art form
●      Bhagalpuri weaving and sarees
●      Foodways: Culinary traditions along the Ganga River, in places like Kannauj, Varanasi, and Farukkhabad, among others,  as well as the sweets of Kolkata
●      Boatmaking: Traditional boat craftsmanship
 
‘Ganga: A Love Beyond Reason’ not only highlights these cultural practices but also emphasizes their significance and the urgent need for their documentation and preservation.  On the occasion of Ganga Dusshera, the film was screened in the multipurpose hall of INTACH, Delhi, and received much appreciation from the viewers present. The film has been uploaded on the following INTACH YouTube channel for a broader reach.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/LL9G4qBPqyU?si=jQVZffiDpDkXQ0Ry

Documenting The Ethno-Cultural Practices Of Four Tribes Of Andhra Pradesh