Saturday, November 26 2005 14:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: In a unique recognition, 'Ramlila', the dramatised rendering of the Indian epic Ramayana, was yesterday (Nov 25, 2005) proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritages of Humanity.

Ramlila is among a new list of 43 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritages of Humanity announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oranisation.

The official proclamation of the new list celebrating world's cultural heritage was made by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura at its Paris headquarters.

The list describes Ramlila as 'the traditional performance of the Ramayana.'

Other additions the list of oral and intangible masterpieces include Japan's Kabuki theatre, the Zambian Makishi Masquarade and the Samba of Roda (Brazil).

This is UNESCO's third proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage, an international distinction destined to raise public awareness of the value of this heritage. This is probably going to be the last, according to a UNESCO release.

The list includes popular and traditional oral forms of expression, music and dance, rituals and mythologies, knowledge and practices concerning the universe, know-how linked to traditional crafts, as well as cultural spaces.

Often vulnerable, this heritage, a repository of cultural diversity, is essential to the identity of communities and peoples, the UNESCO release said.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2003, had stipulated that a Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity be created, alongside a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The Convention will enter into force shortly, once 30 States have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, which has already been done 26 States.

The masterpieces from States Parties to the Convention that were proclaimed by UNESCO since 2001 will feature in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity so as to ensure their continued safeguard.