Lok Sabha Question No. 2040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Dances
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2040

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31/07/2025

## PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL DANCES

2040. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  schemes  in  place  for  the  preservation  and  promotion  of  tribal cultural dances across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the declining popularity and near-extinction of the Kommu tribal dance of the Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether the Government has formulated any specific plans for the protection and promotion of the Kommu dance and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether any funds have been released or earmarked for these initiatives and if so, the details thereof;
- (f)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  the  inclusion  of  tribal  cultural  dances  such  as  the  Koya's Kommu dance in school curricula  to  ensure  their  transmission  to  future  generations,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (g)  whether  any  funds  have  been  released  or  earmarked  for  such  curricular  initiatives  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) to (e): Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored scheme 'Support to  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs)'  extends  financial  support  to  29  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs)  in States/Union  Territories  (UTs)  including  Tribal  Research  Institute,  Andhra  Pradesh  on  the  basis  of  the Annual Action Plan submitted by the States/UTs subject to the approval of the Apex Committee chaired by the  Secretary,  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs.  Under  the  scheme,  proposals  relating  to,  inter-alia  research  & documentation  activities  and  training  &  capacity  building  programmes,  organization  of  tribal  festivals, yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and tourism and organisation of exchange visits by tribals are organised so that their cultural practices including dance forms, languages and ritual are preserved and disseminated. TRIs are primarily institutions under the administrative control of the State Government/UT Administration.

As informed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the following significant steps have been taken for the preservation and promotion of tribal cultural dances of tribes in Andhra Pradesh state.

-  (5) Video Documentation completed on tribal dance forms are Dhimsa, Mayura performed by Khond (PVTG), Thongseng performed by Savara (PVTG), Kommu Koya performed by Koya & Chenchata dance performed by Chenchu (PVTG) for the digital repository.
-  The 5 videos uploaded on the MoTA website, TRI YouTube channel etc.

Further, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken several steps to preserve and conserve cultural dance forms for the  next  generations.  At the ITDA level,  the cultural performers  of  Kommu  tribal  dance  of the Koya tribe are encouraged to perform Kommu Koya dance in all important occasions, tribal festivals, melas, official functions and inaugural events etc., for showcasing living cultural heritage.

(f) & (g): No proposal for the inclusion of tribal cultural dances such as the Koya's Kommu dance in school curricula to ensure their transmission to future generations is under consideration of the Ministry.

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