Lok Sabha Question No. 2681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Cultural Mapping under NMCM
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal, Adv. Chandra Shekhar

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2681

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## CULTURAL MAPPING UNDER NMCM

2681.  Shri Hanuman Beniwal Adv. Chandra Shekhar :

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  details  of  total  number  of  artists,  folk  art  groups  and  cultural  institutions registered in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan under National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) so far;
- (b) whether the Government has completed digital mapping of cultural resources in all  the  districts  of  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Rajasthan  including  Nagaur,  DeedwanaKuchaman, Jodhpur Phalodi, Barmer, Bikaner and Pali districts;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with timeline fixed for its completion; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  special  measures  taken/being  taken  under  the  said  mapping exercise to ensure the inclusion of rural and tribal artists?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) is a key component under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). MGMD undertakes documentation of artists,  folk  art  groups  and  cultural  institutions  as  part  of  village  cultural profiles  and  does  not  provide  for  registration.  Data  recorded  on  the  MGMD Portal  is  maintained  village-wise  and  not  as  per  individual  cultural  elements for  all  States  and  UTs,  including  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Rajasthan.  However, details of certain artists, folk art groups and cultural institutions documented as part of village cultural profiles in the said States are placed at Annexure-I.
- (b) &(c) The  MGMD  Portal  documents  cultural  resources  at  the  village  level  across India, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in a structured format covering heritage sites, oral traditions, beliefs and customs, historical significance, local landmarks and art forms, among others.

In  Uttar  Pradesh,  out  of  total  110878  villages,  103003  villages  have  been mapped.

In Rajasthan, out of total 46744 villages, 46696 villages have been mapped.

The status of coverage in the districts in question is as follows:

- i. Nagaur  District  -  1669  villages  (inclusive  of  Deedwana-Kuchaman district prior to reorganisation)
- ii. Jodhpur District, Phalodi block - 132 villages
- iii. Barmer District - 2955 villages
- iv. Bikaner District - 1154 villages
- v. Pali District - 1055 villages

Cultural mapping, its updation and validation under NMCM are a continuous process, and the documentation of the remaining villages is being undertaken.

- (d) As part of its documentation activities, MGMD covers a wide range of cultural elements  at  the  village  level  across  India,  including  heritage  sites,  oral traditions,  beliefs  and  customs,  historical  significance,  local  landmarks,  fairs and  festivals,  traditional  dress,  ornaments,  traditional  food,  as  well  as  local artists and art forms, wherever available.

Data on MGMD is maintained village-wise and not as per individual elements. However,  certain  tribal  communities  documented  in  Uttar  Pradesh  include Bhotia, Buksa,  Jaunsari, Raji, Tharu, Gond,  Dhuria,  Pathari,  Khairwar, Pankha, and Baiga. Similarly, certain tribal communities mapped in Rajasthan include Bhil, Kalbeliya, Garasia, Sahariya, Kamad and Meena. Details of some notable rural and tribal artists documented for Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are placed at Annexure-II.

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## ANNEXURE-I

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2681 asked on 09th March, 2026 regarding 'Cultural Mapping under NMCM'

## Some Folk Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD

|   S.No. | Artist           | Art Form          |
|---------|------------------|-------------------|
|       1 | Goarakh Ram      | Folk Music        |
|       2 | Shatrugan Paswan | Lavanda performer |
|       3 | Rambhar Paswan   | Jodi player       |
|       4 | Shivnath         | Folk Music        |
|       5 | Nathuni Paswan   | Pakhawaj player   |
|       6 | Mahendra Yadav   | Birha singer      |
|       7 | Kanhaiyalal      | Dholak player     |
|       8 | Kamlesh Prasad   | Jham player       |
|       9 | Sukhaliya        | Kol Dancer        |
|      10 | Chotelal         | Alha singer       |

## Some Folk Art Groups and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD

|   S.No. | Folk Art Group                 | Art Form                       |
|---------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|       1 | Shatrugan Paswan and Group     | Lavanda Naach                  |
|       2 | Mahendra Yadav and Group       | Bhajan                         |
|       3 | Ramprit and Group              | Bidesia                        |
|       4 | Amarjit Maurya and Group       | Nayakva/ Banjarva music        |
|       5 | Shrikrishna and Group          | Barahmasi performance          |
|       6 | Hari Shankar Acharya and Group | Folk songs-Lamtera, Gari, etc. |

## Some Cultural Institutions documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD

|   S.No. | Cultural Institutions                   | Theme                                                                                       |
|---------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | The Buddha Museum                       | Rare artefacts - ancient sculptures, terracotta, and Thangka paintings.                     |
|       2 | Audyogik Utpadan Sahkari Samiti Limited | Artisan cooperative - traditional wood carving for furniture, décor items, and lacquerware. |

|   S.No. | Artist                     | Art Form                         |
|---------|----------------------------|----------------------------------|
|       1 | Mohan Lal Chatubhuj Kumhar | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       2 | Khemraj Kumhar             | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       3 | Rajendra Kumhar            | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       4 | Himmat Lal Kumhar          | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       5 | Jamna Lal Kumhar           | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       6 | Prem Shankar Kumhar        | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art |
|       7 | Govardhan Nath             | Kalbeliya Dance                  |
|       8 | Jaman Lal Bhand            | Bakya Player                     |
|       9 | Ram Niwash Bairwa          | Nukkad Natak and Puppet shows    |
|      10 | Satya Narayan Suthar       | Kawad Art                        |
|      11 | Dwarka Prasad Jagir        | Kawad Art                        |

Some Folk Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD

## Some Folk Art Groups and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD

|   S.No. | Folk Art Group             | Art Form                                                              |
|---------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Sarda Kalbeliya and Group  | Kalbeliya dance                                                       |
|       2 | Sarangiya Langas of Barmer | Sarangi players                                                       |
|       3 | Rajki Sapera troupe        | Kalbeliya Dance, Chari Dance, Ghoomar Dance, and Gramin Bhavai Dance. |
|       4 | Babulal Bhat and Group     | Rajasthani Mand folk songs                                            |
|       5 | Punma Ram and Padma Ram    | Paava players (folk instrument)                                       |

## Some Cultural Institutions documented from Rajasthan on MGMD

|   S.No. | Cultural Institution                                 | Theme                                                                                   |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Mohan Terracotta Art Research and Development Centre | Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art                                                        |
|       2 | Barefoot College Social Work and Research Centre     | Handloom, Leather Work, Wood Carving, Puppet Shows, Nukkad Natak, Bakya Wind Instrument |
|       3 | Hantheli Sansthan                                    | Traditional and folk craft.                                                             |
|       4 | Rupayan Sansthan                                     | Folklore Preservation                                                                   |
|       5 | Arna Jharna                                          | Desert Museum                                                                           |

Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2681 asked on 09th March, 2026 regarding 'Cultural Mapping under NMCM'

## Some Tribal Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD

|   S.No. | Tribal Artist        | Tribal Art Form   |
|---------|----------------------|-------------------|
|       1 | Bela                 | Kol Dancer        |
|       2 | Sukhaliya            | Kol Dancer        |
|       3 | Buti Bai and Group   | Kol folk music    |
|       4 | Dadulal Kolhai Group | Kol folk music    |

Some Tribal Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD

|   S.No. | Tribal Artist   | Tribal Art Form     |
|---------|-----------------|---------------------|
|       1 | Gulabo Sapera   | Kalbeliya Dance     |
|       2 | Vidya Devi Soni | Mandana Art         |
|       3 | Yashpal Baranda | Bhil Painting       |
|       4 | Mohanlal Kumhar | Molela Terracotta   |
|       5 | Mangilal Bhil   | Peacock Feather Art |

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