Lok Sabha Question No. 2925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Efforts to Maintain the Existence of Art, Literature and Craft
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Bholanath (B.P. Saroj)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2925

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTENCE OF ART, LITERATURE AND CRAFT

2925 Sh. Bholanath (B.P.SAROJ):

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  efforts  to  maintain  the  existence  of  art, literature and craft in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to set up a Centre of Excellence for Arts and Handicrafts, particularly in Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to create awareness among the people of the country to adopt traditional culture; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM & DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  Ministry  of  Culture  through  its  autonomous  bodies  has  made  efforts  to promote art, literature and craft in the country.

Sahitya Akademi under Ministry of Culture has published over 7000 books in 24 languages. Every year Akademi holds a number of seminars at regional, national and  international levels,  Akademi  has  a  series  of  programs  called  Cultural Exchange and also given travel grants to young writers, also conducts International Literary Festival-UNMESHA.

Lalit  Kala  Akademi  under  Ministry  of  Culture  organizes  art  camps,  workshops, exhibitions, art festivals like National Painting workshops, Mega Exhibition 'Rise in Uttar Pradesh 2022'etc.

Sangeet Natak Akademi organizes festivals all over the country, provides grants-inaid for research, documentation, and publishing in the performing arts; organizes and subsidizes seminars and conferences of subject specialists.

Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) has designed various training programmes  which  include  various  thematic  workshops  focusing  on  creating awareness regarding promotion and preservation of Indian Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage, Literary Heritage, Folk/Tribal Art & Culture and Craft traditions.

Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai under Ministry of Culture, conducts workshops in Wood Block-printing, Kalamkari Painting and Natural dyeing. Craft Education and Research Centre the CERC , Kalakshetra Foundation under Ministry of Culture has trained women from low-income groups in the art of Kalamkari.

Ministry through its akademies present awards and scholarships to the artists and also invites artists from different genres of performing arts, folk art, tribal art for performance. Different schemes for encouraging Guru Shishya Parampara, training, festivals are also run by the ministry.

- (b) No, Sir.
- (c) &  (d)  Yes,  Sir.  Ministry  of  Culture  through  its  autonomous  bodies  conducts festivals,  fairs  and  events  at  regional,  national  and  international  levels.  These events  showcase  traditional  art  forms,  music,  dance,  crafts  and  other  cultural expressions, drawing attention to the richness and diversity of traditional culture. The Akademies under Ministry of Culture also maintain a repository of archives and regularly  engaged  in  documenting  our  cultural  heritage.  Ministry  also  conducts training and workshops, cultural outreach programs and social media platforms to create awareness among the people of the country to adopt traditional culture.

*****