Lok Sabha Question No. 14 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-18
Subject: Conservation of Folk Culture in Maharashtra
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Krupal Balaji Tumane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 14 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  JULY, 2022

## CONSERVATION OF FOLK CULTURE IN MAHARASHTRA

## † 14. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

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

- (a) the details of the ancient folk culture being conserved in Maharashtra and the details of the schemes being implemented for this purpose;
- (b) the details of the places to which these folk cultures are associated;
- (c) the  amount  sanctioned/allocated  for  this  purpose  during  the  last  three  years; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  taken/being  taken  to  conserve  the  said  folk cultures?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) For  protection,  promotion  &  conservation  of  various  ancient  folk  cultures throughout the country including Maharashtra, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). All States of the country are members of one or more ZCC. These ZCCs organize cultural activities/ programmes on regular basis in  their  member  States  for  which  they  engage  local  and  rural  folk  artists.  Further, these ZCCs also implement various schemes for the purpose, details of which are at Annexure . Maharashtra is the member State of South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur and West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur.

Various ancient folk art forms being conserved in Maharashtra by the ZCCs are Lavani, Koli, Dhangari Gaja, Dindi, Tamasha, Gondhal, Waghya Murali, Potraj, Wasudev, Korku, Powada, Dandhar, Khadi Gammat, Songi Mukhawate, Dashavtar, Bharud, Gayan, Tumdi, Banjara & Mangala Gouri Geet, Bhajan, Dand Patta (Martial Art),  Gan  Gaulan,  Kirtan,  Abhang,  Lezim,  Dhol,  Dahaka,  Naman  Khele,  Kalasutri Bahulya,  Savantvadi,  Toys,  Tarpa Nritya,  Natya Sangeet,  Chitrakathi,  Kolam Dhimsa,  Phugri  Pinga,  Nandi,  Zimma  Phugdi,  Lingo  &  Pawara  Nritya,  Bohada, Pingoli & Dashavtar Painting and Bamboo Crafts. Both SCZCC, Nagpur and WZCC, Udaipur organize number of cultural activities/ programmes in their member States for conservation of these ancient folk art forms.

- (b) These  ancient  folk  cultures  of  Maharashtra  are  associated  with  places  like West  Maharashtra,  Vidharba,  Konkan  region,  Nasik,  Thane,  Nanded,  Bohada, Bhawada and Marathwada.

(c) No  specific  funds  are  sanctioned/  allocated  for  conservation  of  ancient  folk culture in Maharashtra by this Ministry. Regular annual grant-in-aid is provided to the Zonal  Cultural  Centres  for  organizing  various  programmes  and  activities  including preservation  of  vanishing  art  forms.  SCZCC,  Nagpur  and  WZCC,  Udaipur  have spent  the  following  amounts  for  conservation  and  preservation  of  the  ancient/ vanishing art forms during the last three years:

| Year    |   Amount (Rs. in lakh) |
|---------|------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                 587.29 |
| 2020-21 |                  81.6  |
| 2021-22 |                 462.79 |

(d) The Zonal Cultural Centres undertake the following measures to conserve the ancient folk culture:

- i. Permanent documentation of various art forms in Print as well as Digital format (both Audio & Visual formats).
- ii. Implementation of various schemes  viz. Guru Shishya Parampara, Theatre Rejuvenation, Young Talent Awards and National Cultural Exchange Programmes etc.
- iii. Providing exposure at Pan India level through performances & exchange programmes being held throughout the country at regular intervals.

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. † 14 for 18.07.2022

## 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.