Lok Sabha Question No. 2281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: IGNCA Centre in Odisha
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Balabhadra Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2281

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## IGNCA CENTRE IN ODISHA

## 2281. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  open  a  full-fledged  centre  of  Indira  Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in Odisha State, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)   the details of the action taken/to be taken by the Government to preserve and propagate the traditional/ancient culture of Tribals in general and tribal culture of Odisha State in particular?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)   At  present,  there  is  no  such  plan  to  establish  a  full-fledged  centre  of  Indira  Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in the state of Odisha.
- (b)   The Government of India recognizes the country's rich cultural diversity. The National Akademis under Ministry Culture have successfully fostered a vibrant art ecosystem by expanding their reach through strategic partnerships with Zonal Cultural Centres, State Akademies,  and  other  government  bodies.  These  institutions  and  centers  actively promote  and  preserve  the  diverse  cultural  heritage  of  their  respective  regions,  with special emphasis on the needs of tribal communities.

The  Ministry  of  Culture,  through  its  Autonomous  Bodies,  has  taken  several  steps  to preserve and promote the traditional and ancient cultures of tribal communities across India, including in Odisha, as outlined below-:

Some of the key initiatives are as follows:

- (i) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has undertaken various initiatives to preserve  and  promote  tribal  culture,  particularly  in  Odisha.  These  initiatives  include documenting tribal customs through recordings and written records, creating museum-like spaces to display tribal artefacts, organizing festivals celebrating tribal music and dance, offering  scholarships  for  tribal  youth,  preserving  knowledge  about  various  tribes,  and reviving traditional arts.
- (ii) Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) supports tribal and folk art through camps, exhibitions, and publications. Its Bhubaneswar Regional Centre organizes camps for tribal and contemporary artists from Odisha and neighboring states, offering a platform to showcase their work.
- (iii) Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) works to preserve and promote India's performing arts, including  folk  and  tribal  traditions.  The  Akademi  organizes  festivals,  workshops,  and exhibitions,  and  supports  documentation  and  research  through  grants.  Events  such  as 'Deshaj',  Lok  Jan  Pratha  Utsav,  Lok  Sangam,  and  Utkarsh  celebrate  tribal  culture  and traditions.
- (iv) Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) under the Ministry of Culture actively promote folk and tribal cultures by organizing festivals such as the Hornbill Festival, Tribal Dance Festival, and Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav. These events offer tribal artists a platform to showcase their talents and provide them with benefits to support their livelihoods.

The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  also  plays  a  vital  role  in  preserving  and  promoting  tribal languages,  culture,  traditions,  and  customs.  Key  initiatives  include  the  "Support  to  Tribal Research  Institutes  (TRIs)"  and  "Tribal  Research,  Information,  Education,  Communication and Events (TRI-ECE)" schemes, which provide funding for activities by 29 Tribal Research Institutes  and  other  organizations.  These  initiatives  include  creating  bilingual  dictionaries, publishing  educational  materials  in  tribal  languages,  documenting  folklore,  conducting workshops, and supporting research on tribal medicinal practices and traditional knowledge.

Additionally,  the  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  Limited (TRIFED) organizes  the Adi  Mahotsav  festival  at  the  national  and  state  levels,  as  well  as Tribal Artisan  Empanelment  Melas  (TAeMs)  to  identify  new  artisans  and  products.  These events help expand the base of tribal producers.

In  recognition  of  tribal  communities'  significant  contributions  to  India's  history,  the  Indian government declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a revered tribal leader and freedom fighter. This day honors the role of tribal communities in India's progress and freedom struggle.