Lok Sabha Question No. 1555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-01
Subject: Creation of Cultural Hubs to Promote Classical Music
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1555 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.07.2019

## CREATION OF CULTURAL HUBS TO PROMOTE CLASSICAL MUSIC

## †1555. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made or is likely to make provision for any project to promote industries engaged in manufacturing classical musical instruments as those in  Miraj  in  Sangli  district  of  Maharashtra  which  is  famous  for  every type  of  string instrument;
- (b) if so, the complete details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  provision  to  create  cultural  hubs  in  cities  like Miraj which are promoting classical music related to Indian culture; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a)&(b):  Yes,  Sir.  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  (SNA),  an  autonomous  organization  of  this Ministry maintains a Museum and Gallery of Musical Instruments. It showcases the  rich  heritage  and  legacy  of  performing  arts  as  well  as  musical  instruments from different regions of the country. The collection comprises over 2000 objects relating  to  the  performing  arts.  These  include  musical  instruments,  masks, puppets and head gears.

Gallery of Musical Instruments: 'Asavari': The Gallery of Musical Instruments was inaugurated by the distinguished violinist, Yehudi Menuhin on 13 February 1964. Methodical collection began in 1968 with the Akademi organizing an exhibition of about  400  folk  and  tribal  musical  instruments  in  Delhi.  Acquisitions  have  been made  regularly  since  then,  and  the  holdings  supplemented  by  musicians  and visiting troupes. There are about 600 musical instruments, out of which 250 are on permanent display representing instruments from different streams of music.

Workshop/Seminar by Miraj Instrument Maker: An interactive session on Tanpura making was organized by the SNA under the guidance of eminent Tanpuramaker of Miraj, District Sangli- Ustad Farukh Satarmaker with scholars and performers held on 4th August 2016 at the Meghdoot Theatre Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi in which  many  students,  scholars  and  performers  attended  and  appreciated  the session.

National  recognition  to  the  Instrument  Maker  of  Miraj:  One  of  the  important activities  of  the  SNA  has  been  to  give  recognition  and  honours  to  artists  as  it would help in setting standards in these arts, and restore the art and artists to their rightful place in Independent India. The Akademi conferred the prestigious award to Shri Sharafat Abdul Majid Satarmaker, an eminent Musical Instruments Maker of Miraj, district Sangli, Maharashtra in the year 2007.

- (c)&(d): Yes, Sir. Kalakshetra Foundation (KF), an autonomous organization of this Ministry is an institution for national importance for the preservation of classical arts. KF itself is a cultural hub in Chennai which conducts various art festivals, seminars, workshops to preserve and promote Indian classical arts. It conducts four-year Diploma courses and two-year Post Diploma courses in Carnatic Music under the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts.

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