Lok Sabha Question No. 88 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Lalit Kala Academy
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *88

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## LALIT KALA ACADEMY

- *88 Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to establish more regional centres of Lalit Kala  Academy,  given  that  currently  there  are  only  six  such  centres  across  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of the other efforts undertaken to promote regional tribal culture, art and literature across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

(GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) To (c): The statement is laid at the table of the house.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (C)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER 88 FOR 29.07.2024.

(a) & (b) : The Lalit Kala Akademi has established regional centres in Chennai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar,  Lucknow,  and  Garhi,  which  have  been  operational  for  more  than  three decades. Additionally, studio and gallery spaces are functional in Agartala, Ahmedabad, and Shimla. The Government of Karnataka has allocated land for a new regional centre in Dharwad, foundation stone for which was laid in February 2023.

At  present,  there  are  no  plans  to  establish  additional  regional  centres  as  Lalit  Kala Akademi  has  been  working  in  close  co-ordination  with  many  state  governments  and state academies to organize more exhibitions and workshops.

(c) : The Ministry of Culture, through its Zonal Cultural Centres and  autonomous bodies such  as  Sahitya  Akademi,  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi,  Lalit  Kala  Akademi,  Centre  for Cultural  Resources  and  Training,  and  various  Central  Sector  Schemes,  has undertaken comprehensive measures to promote tribal culture, art, and literature across the country. Key initiatives include :

(i)  The  Ministry  allocates  4.3  percent  of  its  total  Central  Sector  Scheme  allocation annually for the promotion of tribal art, literature, and culture.

(ii) Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) have been established with the mandate to protect and promote the folk art and culture of the country. Seven ZCCs are strategically located to cover the entire nation. These centres organize Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs), where  numerous  folk  artists  participate  to  showcase  their  talents.  Aadi  Mahotsavs, organized  in  association  with  TRIFED,  and  independently  conducted  Aadi  Parvs  (tribal fairs) in member states, further promote tribal culture. The OCTAVE festival of the North East, organized by all seven ZCCs, provides a dedicated platform for artists and artisans from the North East Region to showcase and propagate their rich cultural heritage.

(iii)  The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has established a Regional Centre in Ranchi to study, preserve, conserve, and disseminate knowledge of the rich cultural  heritage  and  arts  of  the  tribes  of  Eastern  India,  particularly  Jharkhand.  This centre offers a platform for tribal and traditional artisans to promote their work and skills through various workshops and training programmes.

(iv) Sahitya Akademi conducts seminars, symposia, and events, both online and offline, focused  on  tribal  literature  across  the  nation.  These  programmes  have  been  held  at regional and national levels, resulting in significant publications. The Akademi has also established  the  North  East  Centre  for  Oral  Literature  (NECOL)  in  Agartala  to  cater exclusively to regional languages, organizing related activities and producing publications. Languages supported include Mizo, Ao, Garo, Chakma, Rabha, Karbi, Hmar, Lepcha, Khasi, Tangkhul, Missing, Tenydie, Kokborok, Jaintia, Tulu, Gojri, and Ho. The Sahitya Akademi also hosts the Tribal Writers' Meet during its Annual Festival of Letters, involving the participation of 40-50 tribal writers.

(v)  The  Lalit  Kala  Akademi  has  organized  numerous  art  workshops,  camps,  and conclaves  nationwide,  providing  platforms  for  tribal  artists  to  showcase  their  talent. Significant  projects  include  the  "Jan  Janani  Janambhumi"  art  workshop  for  the  New Parliament Building's People's Wall, featuring over 75 women artists from various tribal backgrounds.  The  Akademi  also  contributed  to  the  beautification  of  several  cities,  like

Delhi for the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee by engaging tribal and folk artists. Regional centres in Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, and Kolkata have conducted numerous tribal art camps and workshops, promoting tribal art forms such as Phad, Madhubani, Gond, Saura, Pithora, Warli, and others.

(vi)  The  Centre  for  Cultural  Resources  and  Training  (CCRT)  organizes  various  training programmes to raise awareness about Indian culture, including tribal culture, in schools nationwide.  Teachers  from  all  regions,  including  rural  and  tribal  areas,  participate  in CCRT  training programmes, which have grassroots impacts. These  programmes encourage  teachers  to  promote  their  regional  culture,  including  tribal  art  and  culture, through sessions on regional presentation.

(vii) The Sangeet Natak Akademi, runs the 'Training and Preservation of Traditional, Folk &  Tribal  Performing  Arts'  scheme,  which  supports  training,  performances,  workshops, and exhibitions of musical instruments and crafts associated with traditional performing arts.  The  scheme  emphasizes  the  Guru-Shishya  Parampara  (mentor-disciple  tradition) and  supports  short-term  intensive  training  programmes.  The  Akademi  also  organizes 'Desaj'  festivals  across  different  regions  to  promote  folk  and  tribal  music,  dance,  and theatre.

November  15,  the  birth  anniversary  of  Birsa  Munda  has  been  declared  as  Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate the special contribution of tribals towards India's freedom. During the AKAM campaign the largest Tribal Folk festival 'Utkarsh' and Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav were conducted in Bhopal and Bhuvaneswar respectively  in 2023.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as the nodal ministry for the welfare and development of tribal  people,  implements  various  measures  to  conserve  and  protect  tribal  culture, traditions, and customs. These measures include setting up Tribal Research Institutes in states,  establishing  ethnographic  and  tribal  freedom  fighter  museums,  organizing national  and  state-level  festivals  and  artisan  melas,  conducting  research  studies  and publications, including audio-visual documentaries, building the capacity of tribal persons and institutions, and disseminating information and creating awareness.

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