Lok Sabha Question No. 5190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-03
Subject: Promotion of Rich Cultural Heritage of Maharashtra
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5190 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023

## PROMOTION OF RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE OF MAHARASHTRA

## 5190. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  promote  the  rich  cultural  heritage  of Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the steps being taken by the Government to encourage the folk artists of Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether the Government is promoting/proposes to promote the local folk songs and folk dances of Maharashtra across the country; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the funds  spent  in  this  regard  during  the  last  three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c) To  protect,  preserve  and  promote  various  forms  of  folk  art  &  rich  cultural heritage throughout the country including Maharashtra, the Government of India has set up seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur,  Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. Each State of India is a member of one or more ZCCs.  Maharashtra  is  the  member  State  of  South  Central  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (SCZCC), Nagpur  and  West  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (WZCC),  Udaipur.  These  ZCCs  organize  various cultural  activities  and  programmes  on  a  regular  basis  throughout  the  year  in  their  member States  for  which  they  are  provided  annual  grant-in-aid  by  the  Ministry.  To  encourage  folk artists  of  Maharashtra, SCZCC and WZCC engage them who showcase their talents during these programmes for which they are paid honorarium, DA/TA etc. to enable them to earn their livelihood.

Besides, Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) all over  India  through  ZCCs  for  promotion  of  rich  cultural  heritage  of  the  country  including Maharashtra.  Since  2015,  the  Ministry  has  organized  14  RSMs  in  the  country.  Recently, Ministry of Culture has organized RSM at Mumbai, Maharashtra from 11 th to 19 th February, 2023 where folk artists of Maharashtra were also invited to perform during the program. To promote the local folk songs and folk dances of Maharashtra across the country, these two ZCCs invite local artists for programmes which are organized as per their calendar of events. Further, regional festivals are also organized by SCZCC and WZCC throughout the year to keep the culture and traditions of the regions alive. Folk and tribal artists are engaged by these ZCCs for stage performances during the RSMs and regional festivals.

SCZCC also organizes workshops and implement Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme to promote  folk  art,  music,  dance  and  literature  of  Maharashtra.  For  preservation  of  folk  art, SCZCC also undertakes documentation in print as well  as audio and visual media. WZCC invites  folk  artists  for  Lavani,  Powada,  Shongi  Mukhote  etc.  during  the  programmes organized by them.

(d) No  State/UT-wise  funds  are  released  by  this Ministry. Details of grant-in-aid (including the funds for holding RSMs) released to SCZCC and WZCC during the last three (3) years and the current year are as under:-

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Name of the ZCC   |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 (as on date) |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------|
| i.        | WZCC              |    923.32 |     706.6 |    653.92 |                1452.49 |
| ii.       | SCZCC             |   1910.95 |     887.8 |    778.52 |                1949.97 |

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