The Committee

1. Takes note that India has nominated Music and knowledge of the Veena stringed instrument for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, described as follows:

The Veena is a plucked string instrument, most often with four main and three drone strings and two gourd resonators. Changes in the shape, structure and functions of the instrument through the ages have given rise to a large variety, each style transmitted through its own line of tradition. Today, there are several different types of Veena, including: rudra veena and vichitra veena in the north of India and tanjauri veena and gottuvadyam in the south. All are accompanied rhythmically by drums – the pakhawaj and tabla in the north and the mridangam in the south. The sound of the vichitra veena and gottuvadyam is enriched by the vibration of sympathetic strings. Veena players are also trained singers of the Raga tradition of music and play memorized compositions. The music and knowledge are imparted through a familial system, transmitted strictly through oral tradition without textual or recorded supporting material. The Veena is one of the most sacred symbols of India, associated with Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Motifs of flowers and gods and goddesses decorate the body of the instrument along with ivory and silver inlay. The creation of each instrument is undertaken manually by expert craftspeople and takes six to eight months.

2. Decides that, from the information provided in nomination file 00353, Music and knowledge of the Veena stringed instrument satisfy the criteria for inscription on the Representative List, as follows:

R.1:   The knowledge and skills of the Veena have been passed down from master to disciple for generations, constantly evolving, reinforcing social cohesion and a sense of continuity throughout India;

R.2:   The inscription of Veena and its music on the Representative List could contribute to encouraging dialogue between generations and to stimulating the creativity of young people by showing the diversity within intangible heritage;

R.3:   Safeguarding measures include organizing festivals, developing training programmes, promoting academic research on Veena and its music and granting individual awards to Veena players and financial support to Veena craftspeople;

R.4:   The nomination process benefited from the participation of Veena players, craftspeople and researchers who gave their free, prior and informed consent.

3. Further decides that the information provided in nomination file 00353, Music and knowledge of the Veena stringed instrument, is not sufficient to allow the Committee to determine whether the criterion for inscription on the Representative List is satisfied, as follows:

R.5:   The State is requested to provide further information to demonstrate that the element is included in an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, as defined in Articles 11 and 12 of the Convention, as required in criterion R.5 of paragraph 2 of the Operational Directives.

4. Decides to refer the nomination of Music and knowledge of the Veena stringed instrument to the submitting State Party and invites it to resubmit the nomination in a subsequent cycle, providing the additional information specified with regard to criterion R.5.