Lok Sabha Question No. 2523 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Inclusion of Local Art Forms in National Cultural Festivals
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2523 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## INCLUSION OF LOCAL ART FORMS IN NATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVALS

## 2523. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether traditional music, dance and crafts of tribal communities from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have been included in any national-level cultural festivals organised by the Government;
- (b) the  criteria  used  for  selecting  regional  art  forms  for  representation  at  national  and international platforms; and
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to promote tribal artists through zonal cultural centres or digital platforms?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes,  Sir.  Traditional  music,  dance  and  crafts  of  tribal  communities  from  Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have been included in national & regional level cultural festivals organised  by  North  East  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (NEZCC),  Dimapur  (an  autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture).

Local  artists  and  craftpersons  from  these  regions  have  participated  in  community cultural programmes and craft exhibitions organized by NEZCC. Further, Karbi Anglong and Dima  Hasao  have  also  been  identified  for  focused  promotion  under  NEZCC's  special initiatives  for  reviving  vanishing  art  forms  for  promotion  and  preservation  of  their  unique heritage through festivals and dedicated projects.

Moreover, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata (an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture) has also included traditional music, dance and crafts of tribal communities from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao through its programmes such as Octave, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav &Purbanchaliya Lok Mahotsav.

(b) For representation at national platforms, various regional art forms are chosen which are  based  on  its  cultural  uniqueness,  authenticity  and  traditional  value.  Special  attention  is given to rare, endangered and lesser known art forms. Local scholars, community elders and cultural experts assist in identifying genuine artists and groups.

For representation at international platforms, the Indian Missions abroad decide the art form for inclusion in Festival of India keeping in mind the recent cultural events held in their  countries  with  the  view  to  broad-base  the  projection  of  Indian  culture.  At  the  first instance, the Indian Missions select a theme on which the cultural event has to be organized from the following:

- i. Dance  (classical  and  traditional,  modern  experimental/  contemporary,  folk, fusion etc.)
- ii. Music vocal (classical, semi-classical, modern carnatic etc.)
- iii. Music Instrumental
- iv. Theatre
- v. Folk arts like Rangoli, puppetry etc.
- vi. Exhibitions
- vii.    Literary Festival
- viii.   Food Festival
- ix.     Film Festival
- x. Yoga
- xi. Fashion Show/Textile Exhibition

After selection of the theme, a proposal is sent by Indian Missions abroad to Ministry of  Culture  to  send  cultural  troupes  as  per  the  selected  theme/  art  form  of  the  event. Accordingly, Ministry of Culture sends various groups who are experts in their respective art form to the Indian Missions abroad.

(c) To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art & culture including tribal culture  throughout  the  country,  the  Government  of  India  has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States for which they engage folk/tribal artists.

Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) at national level through these ZCCs where a large number of folk & tribal artists from all over India are engaged to showcase their talents. From November, 2015 onwards, fourteen (14) RSMs and four (04) Zonal Level RSMs have been organized by Ministry of Culture up till now in the country.

Ministry  of  Culture  participated  in  Republic  Day  Celebrations  from  2022  to  2025 through  cultural  programmes  like  Vande  Bharatam  Dance  Event  &  Jayati  Jai  Mamah Bharatam.  485,  479  &  1500  folk/  tribal  artists  participated  during  2022,  2023  &  2024 respectively. In 2025, as a tribute to 150 th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, over 5000 folk and tribal artists represented youth power, artistic heritage and Nari Shakti drawn from the length and breadth of India represented the varied tapestry of culture and diversity of India's heritage.

MadhavpurGhed  Fair  2022  to  2025  was  organized  in  Gujarat.  The  fair  was  an epitome of the deep cultural and historical relationship that western State of Gujarat shares with the North-Eastern States. The cultural inputs for the event were facilitated by NEZCC. 120  tribal  artists  in  2022,  239  tribal  artists  in  2023,  45  tribal  artists  in  2024  &  800  tribal artists in 2025 from North East Region have participated.

Octave - a festival of the North East which is organized by all seven Zonal Cultural Centres to promote folk culture of the North Eastern States by way of providing an exclusive platform to the tribal artists and artisans of NE Region to promote and propagate their rich cultural heritage.

It is stated that in all these programmes, artists are paid honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, local transport etc. to enable them to earn their livelihood.

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