Lok Sabha Question No. 4894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Folk Performing Arts in International Cultural Exchange Programmes
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Pushpendra Saroj, Adv Priya Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4894

ANSWERRED ON 23.03.2026

## FOLK PERFORMING ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES

4894. ADV PRIYA SAROJ: SHRI PUSPENDRA SAROJ :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of folk performing art troupes empanelled or sponsored under Indian Council for Cultural Relations  (ICCR)  and other Central international cultural  exchange programmes during the last five years, year and State/UT-wise and particularly district-wise for Uttar Pradesh;

(b)  the  details  of  the  total  Central  funds  sanctioned,  released  and  utilised  for  international promotion of folk arts from Uttar Pradesh vis-à-vis classical and metropolitan art forms, State/UTwise, particularly district-wise for Uttar Pradesh;

(c) the criteria adopted for the selection of artists for overseas cultural festivals and whether any regional imbalance has been identified, State /UT-wise, particularly Uttar Pradesh;

(d)  the  concrete  roadmap  for  2026-27  to  ensure  systematic  inclusion  of  Uttar  Pradesh's  folk traditions in bilateral cultural diplomacy initiatives; and

(e)  the  accountability  and  measurable  targets  fixed  to  prevent  token  representation  and  ensure sustained global exposure for grassroots artists from the said State?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Ministry of Culture implements 'Global Engagement Scheme' (GES) to promote India's rich cultural heritage internationally. Under  the  Scheme,  the Ministry has  empanelled Artists/Groups under various art forms for performing in the Festival of India (FoIs) abroad. Currently, 627 Artists/Groups are empanelled with the Ministry. Out of which, 31 artists/groups are from Uttar Pradesh.

ICCR,  under  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs  has  sponsored  52  folk  art  troupes, including 3 from the state of Uttar Pradesh to present cultural performances abroad during the last five years.

(b) In  the  current  Financial Year 2025-26, an amount of Rs. 2.58 Crore is allocated and the same has been sanctioned to Indo-Foreign Friendship Societies through Indian Mission abroad for international promotion of Arts and Culture of India including folk arts from Uttar Pradesh.

(c) The following  criteria  is  adopted  for  selection  of  artists  to  perform  in  Festival  of  India abroad:

- (i) Any artist/group  interested  in  applying  should  have  performed/participated  at  State, National and/or international level. Requirement of number of performances/shows is at State/National/International level.
- (ii) The artist/group should be equipped to explain to the audience about the art form and the performance.
- (iii) In respect of Category  VII,  applications for curated exhibitions only will be considered.
- (iv) Foreign nationals applying for empanelment must be Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholder.

ICCR also sponsors groups from its empanelled artists on the recommendations received from Indian Missions/ Posts/ Indian Cultural Centers abroad, based on local preferences and demand for different genres in different foreign countries. From Uttar Pradesh, 03 troupes were sponsored by ICCR in the last five years.

(d) & (e) Every year, ICCR draws up an Annual Plan of Action based on the proposals received from Indian Missions/Posts/Indian Cultural Centers abroad. In this, priority is given to underrepresented arts and artists from rural and remote areas of India. In fact, the theme for ICCR's cultural  projection  abroad  this  year  is  'Connecting  the  World  through  Tribal,  Folk  and  Rare Indigenous Arts'.

ICCR has a feedback and monitoring mechanisms to ensure optimal impact of its outgoing cultural  troupes.    It  has  also  reached  out  to  all  State  Governments  with  whom  it  has  signed MoUs to elicit their support in promoting India's rich and diverse folk traditions in a sustained manner.