Lok Sabha Question No. 2607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Preservation and Promotion of various Dance Forms of Karnataka
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2607 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF VARIOUS DANCE FORMS OF KARNATAKA

2607. SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  Government  to  preserve  and  promote  the traditional Tiger Dance, AtiKalanja Folk Dance and Bhoota Kola Folk Dance of Coastal Karnataka, which is an integral part of the State's cultural heritage;
- (b) whether Government has any financial assistance Schemes or support programmes for traditional Tiger Dance, AtiKalanja Folk Dance and Bhoota Kola Folk Dance troupes, artists  and performers in Karnataka to sustain and promote these ancient dance forms; and
- (c) the manner in which the Government is planning to ensure that traditional Tiger Dance, AtiKalanja  Folk  Dance  and  Bhoota  Kola  Folk  Dance  receives  more  national  and international  exposure  and  the  platforms  or  events  being  organized  to  showcase  these dance forms?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c) The  Government  of  India  has  set  up  South  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (SZCC), Thanjavur  and  South  Central  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (SCZCC),  Nagpur  to  preserve  and promote various forms of folk art and culture including traditional art forms of their member States which includes the State of Karnataka. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes for which they engage number of artists and performers from their member States  including  the  State  of  Karnataka  who  are  expert  in  traditional  folk  dances.  These artists  are  paid  honorarium,  DA/TA,  boarding  &  lodging  and  local  transportation  which enable them to earn their livelihood.

In  addition,  Ministry  of  Culture  organizes  Rashtriya  Sanskriti  Mahotsavs  (National Culture  Festivals)  in  the  country  where  traditional  folk  artists  from  all  over  the  country including the State of Karnataka are engaged to showcase various dance forms on a national platform.

Ministry  of  Culture  implements  a  scheme  titled  'Global  Engagement  Scheme'  to promote  India's  rich  cultural  heritage  and  enhance  India's  image  in  the  global  arena  in  a concerted  manner.  The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  provide  artists  practicing  Indian  art forms, an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of 'Festival of India'. Under the scheme, artists from diverse cultural fields such as folkart including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk  Theatre  &  Puppetry,  Classical  and  Traditional  Dance,  Experimental/  Contemporary Dance,  Classical/  Semi  Classical  Music,  Theatre  etc.  perform  in  the  'Festivals  of  India' abroad. All expenditure on deputation of these artists for performing abroad is incurred by the Government. Ministry of Culture has empanelled 627 artists/groups from all over India under  various  art  forms  and  artists  are  selected  from  the  empanelled  list  for  deputing  for performing in the Festivals of India abroad.

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