Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Preservation of Endangered Folk Art Forms of Western Odisha
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-161 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## PRESERVATION OF ENDANGERED FOLK ART FORMS OF WESTERN ODISHA

## 161. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any survey on the status of endangered folk art forms of Western Odisha such as Danda Nata, Dhap Dance, and Ghubukudu Nacha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of art forms identified that needed urgent preservation;
- (c) whether the  Government proposes to extend financial assistance,  training  support  and digital documentation for artists from districts like Balangir, Sonepur and Bargarh;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  consider  for  launching  a  targeted  'Odisha  Folk Heritage Revival Programme' to safeguard these art traditions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) No such survey has been conducted in this regard. However, Eastern Zonal Cultural  Centre  (EZCC),  Kolkata  (an  autonomous  organization  under Ministry  of  Culture) has organized specific programmes in Dhap Dance and Ghubukudu Nacha under Vilupt Lok Evam  Janatiya  Kala  Uthan  Mahotsav  and  in  other  cultural  programmes  to  document  and preserve intangible folk and tribal cultural heritage of Odisha.

(c) & (d) EZCC engages folk artists from their member States including Odisha & its districts of Balangir, Sonepur and Bargarh during various cultural activities & programmes organized by them for which they are paid honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, local transport etc.

Under  the  Guru  Shishya  Parampara  project  of  the  ZCCs,  disciples  are  trained  by veterans  in  rare  and  vanishing  art  forms.  Such  art  forms  are  identified  in  the  region  and eminent exponents are selected to conduct training programmes in Gurukula tradition. The monthly remuneration for Guru - Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist - Rs. 3,750/- and Pupils - Rs. 1,500/- each for the period of six month to maximum 1 year for one art form. The names of the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.

All the Zonal Cultural Centres (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture) are  actively  undertaking  digital  documentation  of  artists  to  preserve  and  promote  India's diverse  cultural  heritage.  Through  this  initiative,  detailed  records  of  traditional,  folk  and tribal  artists  are  created  in  digital  formats  for  future  reference  and  dissemination.  The documentation enables better outreach, recognition and support for artists, while also serving as  an  authentic  resource  for  researchers  and  cultural  institutions.  This  effort  contributes  to safeguarding intangible cultural traditions across regions.

- (e) No such proposal is under the consideration of Government of India.

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