Question : PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURE

(a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to revive the traditional arts and culture including folk arts of various States;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made so far in this regard;

(c) whether the Government supports and promotes folk art forms and has taken steps to document and disseminate knowledge about these art forms;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government for preservation of the creative and performing arts and the culture of the people of the country including setting up of cultural museums for the purpose?

MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE (KUMARI SELJA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House

ZONAL CULTURAL CENTRES (ZCCS)

ZCC were set up in the mid ‘80s to develop the cultures of various regions and also to set up mechanism for preservation and promotion of various parts of our rich cultural heritage. The ZCCs were required to concentrate on the fine arts, dance and music. The mandate behind setting up the ZCCs was to culturally bind the nation while retaining the individuality of the regions that comprise them.

2. Objective: The specific objectives of the ZCCs, mainly are:

i. to preserve, innovate and promote the projection and dissemination of arts in the concerned zone;

ii. to develop and promote their rich diversity;

iii. to encourage folk and tribal arts and aid the preservation of vanishing arts;

iv. to involve youth in creative cultural communication, and lay special emphasis on the linkages among different areas and their contribution to Indian culture.