Heritage, community participation and the state: case of the Kalbeliya dance of India

The role of community participation has often been underlined as crucial in heritage-making and safeguarding, especially in the case of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), but has not been put into practice effectively. This paper critically examines the practice of community participation with respect to the UNESCO recognised ICH, Kalbeliya dance of Rajasthan state in India, and its impact on Kalbeliya dance and dancers. Drawing on interviews with Kalbeliya dancers, non-dancers and government officials, the findings reveal minimal participation of Kalbeliya community and show that the Indian state plays a dominant role right from the nomination of Kalbeliya dance as intangible heritage to its safeguarding. Through the case of Kalbeliyas, the paper analyses the scope of agency and power, given to heritage practitioners for their heritage safeguarding by the UNESCO, and the challenges it faces at the ground level. It further discusses how the neglect of heritage bearers or practitioners from the practice of heritage-making and safeguarding can become a source of their marginalisation along social, economic and political axes which can also be detrimental to the sustenance of any ICH.