Lok Sabha Question No. 1492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Preservation of Tribal Cultural Heritage in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1492 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## PRESERVATION OF TRIBAL CULTURAL HERITAGE IN KARBI ANGLONG AND DIMA HASAO

## 1492. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  number  of  tribal  cultural  traditions,  art  forms  and  heritage  assets identified and supported by the Government in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts;
- (b) the  details  of  the  financial  assistance  provided  under  applicable  schemes  of  the Government during the last five years and the current year, year-wise;
- (c) whether any tribal languages or oral traditions from these districts have been documented or digitised; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote visibility and livelihood opportunities  for  tribal  cultural  practitioners  from  these  districts  at  the  national  and international level?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) North East Zone  Cultural  Centre  (NEZCC),  Dimapur  (an  autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture) has identified and supported tribal cultural traditions, art  forms  and  heritage  assets  of  Karbi  Anglong  &  Dima  Hasao  districts,  Assam  through various cultural festivals and programmes, the details of which are at Annexure . The grantin-aid  released  to  NEZCC  to  organize  various  cultural  programmes  and  activities  in  their member States including the State of Assam during the last five years and current year is as under:

| Sl. No.   | Year                 |   (Rs. in lakh) Amount released |
|-----------|----------------------|---------------------------------|
| i.        | 2020-21              |                          224.26 |
| ii.       | 2021-22              |                         1149.74 |
| iii.      | 2022-23              |                          840.18 |
| iv.       | 2023-24              |                          827.14 |
| v.        | 2024-25              |                         1431.66 |
| vi.       | 2025-26 (as on date) |                         1002.75 |

Ministry of Culture runs Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) Scheme under which financial support is provided to folk artists of all genres of performing arts viz. musical groups, dance groups, theatre groups including children theatre, music ensembles etc. Under the  scheme,  the  amount  of  assistance  for  Guru  (leader  of  the  Group)  is  Rs.  15,000/-  per month and for the Shishya is Rs. 2,000-10,000/- per month depending upon the age of the artist. The grant released to the organizations located in Assam under this scheme during the last five years and current year is as under:

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Year                 |   Amount released |
|-----------|----------------------|-------------------|
| i.        | 2020-21              |             53.4  |
| ii.       | 2021-22              |            227.1  |
| iii.      | 2022-23              |            214.54 |
| iv.       | 2023-24              |            277.54 |
| v.        | 2024-25              |            263.25 |
| vi.       | 2025-26 (as on date) |            236.52 |

To promote the traditional fair festivals of the country including Assam, Ministry of Culture  also  runs  a  scheme  viz.  Cultural  Function  and  Production  Grant  Scheme  (CFPG) under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  organizations  for  organizing  Seminars, Conferences, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc. The grant released to the organizations located in Assam under this scheme during the last five years and current year is as under:

| Sl. No.   | Year                 |   (Rs. in lakh) Amount released |
|-----------|----------------------|---------------------------------|
| i.        | 2020-21              |                           30.12 |
| ii.       | 2021-22              |                           34.66 |
| iii.      | 2022-23              |                           96.21 |
| iv.       | 2023-24              |                          114.11 |
| v.        | 2024-25              |                           34.34 |
| vi.       | 2025-26 (as on date) |                           27.52 |

(c) NEZCC  has  documented  tribal  oral  traditions  viz.  'Tuning  into  Dimasa  Folk Instruments  of  Assam  -  A  Research  Book'  related  to  Dimasa  Folk  Instruments  and  also documented  'Magrowati  Muinari  Kanthi  Miswawa:  Its  Legacy  and  Significance',  an indigenous Tiwa Art Form, focusing on its folklore, oral traditions and cultural significance under its Research and Documentation/ Vanishing Art Forms Project.

(d) To promote visibility and livelihood opportunities, North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC),  Dimapur  and  Eastern  Zonal  Cultural  Centre  (EZCC),  Kolkata  (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture) engage folk/ tribal artists from their member States including  the  State  of  Assam  (Karbi  Anglong  and  Dima  Hasao  districts)  to  participate  in National  and  Inter-Zonal  cultural  programmes,  festivals  and  cultural  exchange  activities organized by them. These artists are paid honorarium, TA/DA, local transportation, boarding & lodging etc. to enable them to earn their livelihood.

Ministry  of  Culture  implements  a  scheme  titled  'Global  Engagement  Scheme'  to promote  India's  rich  cultural  heritage  and  enhance  India's  image  in  the  global  arena  in  a concerted  manner.  The  objective  of  the  Scheme  is  to  provide  artists  practicing  Indian  art forms, an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of 'Festival of India'. Under the Scheme,  artists  from  diverse  cultural  fields  such  as  Folk  Art  including  Folk  Music,  Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/ Contemporary Dance, Classical/ Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the 'Festivals of  India'  abroad.  Ministry  of  Culture  has  empanelled  627  artists/groups  under  various  art forms for performing in the Festivals of India abroad.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1492 for 09.02.2026

## Karbi Anglong District, Assam

| Sl. No.   | Tribe              | Major Festivals                                                                                                          | Major Dance &Music Forms &Art Form                                                                                                               |
|-----------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| i.        | Karbi              | Rongker, Chomangkan, Hacha Kekan, Karbi Youth Festival, Jhoom Cultivation Festival, Rituals and worshiping festival etc. | Domahi Kikan, Jakoi Bedang, Chomangkan Dance, Rongker Dance; Cheng (drum), Pongsi (flute), Cultivation dance, Ritnong Chingdi, Chong Kachingnang |
| ii.       | Tiwa (Hills)       | Yangli, Borot Utsav, Spring Festival                                                                                     | Yangli Dance, Magrowati Muinari Kanthi Miswawa                                                                                                   |
| iii.      | Plain Tiwa/ Lalung | Barat                                                                                                                    | Langkhon Miswawa, Barat, Na Fisa Misawa                                                                                                          |
| iv.       | Zeme (Naga)        | Hega Festival, Ngai                                                                                                      | Zeme Folk Dance                                                                                                                                  |
| v.        | Assamese           | Bihu                                                                                                                     | Bihu Naam & Nach & Traditional Cane &Bamboo Crafts                                                                                               |
| vi.       | Buddhist Man Tai   | Poi-Sangken, Mai-Ku- Shum-Fai/ Buddha Jayanti & Buddhist rituals                                                         | Ka Along (fairy dance), Ka Tekheng (Merry making dance), Ka Mengbi (Butterfly dance), Ka Nukjung (Peacock dance), Ka Chong (umbrella dance)      |

## Dima Hasao District, Assam

| Sl. No.   | Tribe         | Major Festivals                                           | Major Dance &Music Forms &Art Form                        |
|-----------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| i.        | Dimasa Kachri | Baishu, Bushu Dima, Hangseu Manaoba, Rajini Gabra, Bathou | Baishu Dance, Jumangsha Dance; Khram (drum), Muri (flute) |
| ii.       | Kuki          | Mim Kut, Chavang Kut                                      | Kuki folk dances, drum &gong music                        |

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