Lok Sabha Question No. 4664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Indian Folk and Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ajay Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND JULY, 2019

## INDIAN FOLK AND CULTURE

## † 4664.   SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether most of the Indian traditional folk culture are getting extinct;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  frame any  concrete  policy for revival and maintenance of Indian folk arts and culture;
- (c) if so, the measures taken to give incentives to artists; and
- (d) the  details  of  incentive  schemes  being  provided  to  folk  artists  in  the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No  such  formal  study  has  been  conducted  so  far  by  the  Government. However,  to  protect,  preserve  and  promote  various  forms  of  folk  arts  and  culture throughout the country, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur,  Udaipur,  Prayagraj,  Kolkata,  Dimapur  and Thanjavur.
- (c) & (d) These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis  all  over  India.  Folk  artists  are  engaged  by  all  the  seven  ZCCs  to  perform  in  the cultural  programmes  organized  by  them  for  which  they  are  given  TA/DA,  honorarium, boarding & lodging and local transport.

Further,  to  give  incentives  to  artists  including  folk  artists  in  the  country,  this Ministry is running the following schemes:

1.    Award  to  Young  Talented  Artiste  Scheme  is  to  encourage  and  recognize  the  young talents  especially  in  the  field  of  rare  art  forms,  talented  youngsters  between  the  age group of 18-30 years are selected and given a one time  cash award of Rs.10,000/-.
2. Under Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, various art forms of particular region are identified and disciples are trained under the guidance of eminent exponents/ Gurus in 'Gurukula' tradition. The monthly remuneration for Guru is Rs. 7500/-, for Accompanist is Rs. 3750/- and for Pupils is Rs. 1,500/- for a period of six month to maximum 1 year for one scheme.  The  names  of  the  Gurus  are  recommended  by  the  State  Cultural  Affairs Departments.

3.      Under  Repertory  Grant  Scheme,  financial  support  is  provided  to  all  genres  of performing  arts  activities  like  dramatic  &  theatre  groups,  music  ensembles,  children theatre etc. and imparting training to artists by their respective Gurus on regular basis in line with Guru Shishya Parampara. As per the scheme, support is provided to 1 Guru and maximum 18 Shishyas. The amount of assistance for Guru is Rs. 10000/- & for Shishya is Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 6000/-.

4. Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture:
2. (i) Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in the Fields of Culture:    Senior  Fellowship  of  Rs.  20,000/-  per  month  is  awarded  to  a maximum of 200 outstanding persons selected in the age group of 40 years and above for a period of 2 years for cultural research. Junior Fellowship of Rs. 10,000/- per month is awarded to a maximum of 200 outstanding persons selected in  the  age  group  of  25  to  40  years  for  a  period  of  2  years  in  one batch year for cultural research.
3. (ii) Award  of  Scholarships  to young  artists in different cultural fields: A maximum  of  400  Scholarships  of  Rs.  5,000/-  per  month  are  provided  to selected  young  artistes  in  the  age  group  of  18  to  25  years  for  advanced training under any Guru/Institution in different cultural fields.
4. (iii) Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research: A maximum of 15 National Fellowships and 25 Research Scholarships with honorarium of   Rs. 80,000/per month and Rs. 50,000/- per month respectively upto a maximum period of two years for cultural research under the identified participating institutions  in  different  categories  is  provided  to  selected  fellows  and scholars.

5. Scheme  for  Pension  and  Medical  Aid  to  Artistes:    The  Scheme  is  meant  for improving the financial and socio-economic status of the old artistes and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. in their active age or are still contributing in the field of arts, letters etc. but due to old age, they have to lead a miserable life or are in penury condition. Under this scheme, a monthly allowance of Rs. 4000/- is provided to an artist who has attained the age of 60 years.

6. Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG):   The objective of this scheme is to provide  financial  support  for  organizing  Seminars,  Conference,  Research,  Workshops, Festivals,  Exhibitions,  Symposia,  Production  of  Dance,  Drama-Theatre,  Music  etc.  The maximum grant provided under CFPG is Rs. 5.00 Lakh.