India, Nov. 4 -- Cultural heritage extends beyond physical remains of the past, such as monuments, historic buildings and settlements. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) encompasses living traditions and expressions inherited from ancestors and transmitted across generations. UNESCO identifies five verticals of ICH: Oral traditions and language; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.

But can cultural heritage be understood independently of history? Historical narratives shape what is recognised, valued and preserved as heritage, while heritage influences how the past is remembered and transmitted. This relationship determine...