Lok Sabha Question No. 1824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Preservation and Promotion of Languages, Folk Dance, Art and Culture of Tribals
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dilip Ghosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1824 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND MARCH, 2020

## PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF LANGUAGES, FOLK DANCE, ART AND CULTURE OF TRIBALS

## 1824.  SHRI DILIP GHOSH:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the schemes/projects running for the preservation and promotion of languages, folk dances, art and culture of the tribals in the country including West Bengal; and
- (b) the details of the financial assistance given to West Bengal project-wise for the said purpose  during  each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  along  with  the details of funds utilized?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) To  preserve  &  promote  various  forms  of  folk  art  and  culture  of  the  tribals throughout the country including West Bengal, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres  (ZCCs) with headquarters at  Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata,  Dimapur  and  Thanjavur.  These  ZCCs  organize  various  cultural  activities  and programmes all over the country on regular basis. These ZCCs under Ministry of Culture are also implementing a number of schemes for promoting the folk/tribal art and culture, details of which are annexed (Annexure) .

Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, encourages the preservation and  promotion  of  languages,  especially  the  unrecognized and tribal languages. The Akademi periodically organizes language conventions throughout the country in this regard.

(b) No  funds  are  provided  directly  to  States/UTs.  However,  annual  grant-in-aid  is provided to all the ZCCs for organizing various cultural activities and programmes in their member States including West Bengal. The grant-in-aid provided to the ZCCs during the last three years and the current year is as under:

| No.   | Year                 |   (Rs. in lakh) Amount |
|-------|----------------------|------------------------|
| i.    | 2016-17              |                6085.07 |
| ii.   | 2017-18              |                4689.71 |
| iii.  | 2018-19              |                5952.69 |
| iv.   | 2019-20 (as on date) |                5655.75 |

## ANNEXURE

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1824 for 02.03.2020

## Schemes being implemented by Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)

i. Award to Young Talented Artists: The  Scheme 'Young Talented Artists' is carried out to encourage and recognize the young talents especially in the field of rare art forms. Talented youngsters of the age group of 18-30 years are selected and given a onetime  cash award of Rs. 10,000/-.

ii. Guru Shishya Parampara: This scheme envisages transmitting our valued traditions to the coming generations. Disciples are trained under veterans in art forms which are rare and vanishing. Rare and vanishing art forms of the region are identified and eminent exponents are  selected  to  carry  out  the  training  programmes  in  'Gurukula'  tradition.  The  monthly remuneration for Guru - Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist - Rs. 3,750/- and        Pupils - Rs. 1,500/- each for the period of six month to maximum 1 year for one scheme. The names of the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.

iii. Theatre  Rejuvenation: To  promote  theatre  activities  including  stage  shows  and Production oriented workshops, etc. Honorarium Up to Rs. 30,000/- per show excluding TA & DA is paid. The groups finalized on the basis their credentials as well as the merit of project submitted by them.

iv. Research  &  Documentation: To  preserve  promote  and  propagate  vanishing  visual and  performing  art  forms  including  folk,  tribal  and  classical  in  the  field  of  music,  dance, theatre,  literature,  fine  arts  etc.  in  print/  audio  -  visual  media.  The  art  form  is  finalized  in consultation with state Cultural Department.

v. Shilpgram: To  promote  folk  and  tribal  art  and  crafts  of  the  zone  by  organizing seminar, workshops, exhibitions, craft fairs, design development and marketing support to the artisans living in the rural areas.

vi. Octave: To  promote  and  propagate  the  rich  cultural  heritage  of  North  East  region comprising of eight States namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura to the rest of India.

vii. National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP): It can be termed as the lifeline of the Zonal Cultural Centers. Under this scheme, various festivals of performing arts, exhibitions, yatras  etc  are  organized  in  member  States.  Artists  from  other  zones/states  are  invited  to participate  in  these  programmes.  Participation  of  artists  from  the  Zone  in  festivals  held  in other parts of the country are also facilitated. Zonal centres also participate in Major festivals happening in member States by arranging performances during these festivals where large number of audience get chance to enjoy and understand art forms of other regions. These festivals provide opportunity to taste and understand various cultures of our country.

*****