Lok Sabha Question No. 1868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Financial Assistance to Folk Artists and Tribal Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Pradeep Kumar Singh, Satyadev Pachauri, Geeta Kora, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Riti Pathak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1868

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FOLK ARTISTS AND TRIBAL ARTISTS

†1868. SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH: SHRIMATI GEETA KORA: SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK: SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA: SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any provision to extend financial assistance to the folk  artists  and  tribal  artists  of  Jharkhand,  Bihar,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Jammu  and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details of the expenditure incurred under the said item during the financial years 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022; and
- (c) the  district-wise  current  number  of  the  beneficiaries  including  West  Singhbhum, Jharkhand, Araria of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The mandate of the Ministry of Culture is to protect,  promote and preserve  various forms  of  folk/  tribal  art  and  culture  throughout  the  country.  To  meet  this  objective, Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. To promote folk and tribal artists in all the States/ UTs of the country including Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh,  these  ZCCs  organize  various  cultural  activities  and programmes all over the country on regular basis. Folk artists and tribal artists are engaged by these ZCCs to showcase their talents in these activities and programmes for which they are paid TA/DA, honorarium, boarding & lodging, local transport etc. Besides, these ZCCs are also implementing a number of schemes for promoting the folk and tribal artists, details of which are at Annexure .

(b) Annual  grant-in-aid  is  provided  to  all  the  ZCCs  for  organizing  various  cultural activities/ programmes in their member States. However, no funds are provided directly to the States/UTs. The details of grant-in-aid provided to the ZCCs during the last three years are as under:

| Sl. No.   | Year    |   Amount (Rs. in lakh) |
|-----------|---------|------------------------|
| i.        | 2019-20 |                5732.95 |
| ii.       | 2020-21 |                4009.38 |
| iii.      | 2021-22 |                5881.48 |

(c) Does not arise in view of the fact that no State/UT wise funds are provided, as stated in reply to part (b) above.

*****

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1868 for 19.12.2022

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

- i. Award to Young Talented Artistes: 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: 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.