Lok Sabha Question No. 5229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Policy to Revive Indian Folk Art and Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Chandan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5229 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  APRIL, 2022

## POLICY TO REVIVE INDIAN FOLK ART AND CULTURE

## † 5229. SHRI CHANDAN SINGH:

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

- (a) whether most of the Indian traditional folk cultures are getting extinct;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  frame/has  framed  any  concrete policy to revive and protect Indian folk arts and culture;
- (c) if so, the measures being taken to encourage  artists in this regard; and
- (d) the details of the incentive schemes being provided to folk artists in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) No such formal study in this regard has been conducted so far by the Govt.  However,  for  preservation  of  the  traditional  folk  cultures  of  the  country,  the Govt. has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. The main objectives of these  ZCCs  are  to  protect,  promote  and  preserve  various  traditional,  folk  arts  and culture of all States/Union Territories. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis throughout the country for which annual grant-inaid is provided to them. Details of annual grant-in-aid released to these ZCCs during the last three years are as under:-

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Year    |   Funds Released/ Spent |
|-----------|---------|-------------------------|
| i.        | 2019-20 |                 5732.95 |
| ii.       | 2020-21 |                 4009.38 |
| iii.      | 2021-22 |                 5881.46 |

As per Vision Document 2020-24, two (2) vanishing art forms are to be revived every  year  by  each  of  the  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs).  Up  to  the  period 2020-21, 193 vanishing art forms have been revived by the seven ZCCs.

Further,  to  encourage  artists  from  different  parts  of  the  country,  they  are engaged  by  all  the  ZCCs  to  showcase  their  talent  for  which  honorarium,  TA/DA, boarding  &  lodging,  local  transport  etc.  is  paid  to  them.  ZCCs  also  implement  a number of schemes to encourage folk artists, the details of which are at Annexure .

During  COVID-19  Pandemic  online  programmes  were  conducted  by  these ZCCs and the participating artists were paid incentives for the same to the tune of Rs. 13,66,39,786/-.

## Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5229 for 04.04.2022

## 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 Culture 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 are finalized on the basis of their credentials as well as the merit of projects submitted by them.
- iv. Research & Documentation: To preserve, promote and propagate vanishing visual  and  performing  art  forms,  including  folk,  tribal  and  classical  in  the  fields  of music, dance, theatre, literature, fine arts etc. in print/ audio - visual media. The art form is finalized in consultation with State Culture Departments.
- 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 understand various cultures of our country.