The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently welcomed 55 new cities to its Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Among these newly inducted cities, two hailing from India have stood out for their notable contributions to literature and music. These cities are Kozhikode in Kerala, acknowledged as the ‘City of Literature’, and Gwalior, located in Madhya Pradesh, lauded as the ‘City of Music’.
Indian Cities Spotlighted in the UCCN
This is not the first time that Indian cities have earned a spot in the UCCN. Several other cities have been recognized for their unique contributions to various fields of creativity. This includes Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts, 2015), Varanasi (Creative City of Music, 2015), Chennai (Creative City of Music, 2017), Mumbai (Film, 2019), Hyderabad (Gastronomy, 2019), and Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Art, 2021).
Kozhikode: The City of Literature
Kozhikode holds the honor of being the inaugural city from India to be acknowledged as the ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO. Renowned for its engagement with literary pursuits, Kozhikode routinely plays host to diverse literary events. This includes the Kerala Literature Festival, recognized as one of Asia’s most significant literary gatherings.
An impressive array of over 500 libraries call Kozhikode their home. The city also boasts the presence of numerous esteemed writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, Thikkodiyan, and P. Valsala Sanjayan, among others. Together with poets, scholars, and publishers, they have collectively enriched the Malayalam literature and culture scene, underscoring the city’s influence as a dynamic hub for intellectual discourse and literary exploration.
Gwalior: The City of Music
Following Varanasi’s lead in 2015, Gwalior became the second Indian city to be recognized as the ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO. Gwalior’s musical heritage is steeped in history. It is celebrated as the birthplace of Tansen, one of the most acclaimed musicians and composers in India’s history. As a ‘Navratna’ (one of the nine jewels) in Emperor Akbar’s court, Tansen has left an indelible mark on India’s musical landscape.
Gwalior is also acknowledged as the breeding ground of the Gwalior Gharana, the oldest and most influential school of Hindustani classical music. An annual event that gathers thousands of music enthusiasts and artists from different corners of the world is the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, one of India’s largest music festivals, held in Gwalior.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Founded in 2004, the UCCN encourages cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic aspect of their urban development. The network aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11, aiming for sustainable cities and communities. The UCCN covers seven fields of creativity: crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature, and music. Given the recent additions, it is clear that Indian cities are making significant progress towards creating an inclusive, dynamic, and culturally rich urban landscape.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024