Question : Preservation of Ancient Indian Folk Culture

(a) whether most of the ancient Indian traditional Folk Cultures are disappearing;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the names of the ancient folk cultures of the country which is being preserved including the State of Rajasthan;

(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate concrete policies to revive and preserve the Indian Folk Arts and Culture and if so, the details of work being executed to preserve these folk cultures along with the name of the Schemes under which the said works are being carried out and the name of the places which are related to the said folk culture;

(d) the steps taken by the Government to promote the artists and the details of the promotional schemes implemented for folk artistes; and

(e) the details of the funds sanctioned/released for preserving the said folk culture during the last three years?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (d) No such formal study in this regard has been conducted so far by the Government. However, for preservation of the ancient folk cultures of the country including Rajasthan, the Government has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarter at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. The main objectives of these ZCCs are to protect, promote and preserve various traditional, folk arts and culture of all States/Union Territories.

Various folk songs, dances and other art forms have been preserved so far by ZCCs across the country including the State of Rajasthan like Gangour Nritya of Madhya Pradesh; Folk Dances of Goa; Bhawai, Kalbelia Dance & Dhola Maru of Rajasthan; Giddha Folk Dance of Punjab; Mahasu Dance of Himachal Pradesh; Tiger Dance of Kerala; Burra Katha & Dhimsa of Andhra Pradesh; Surabhi Natakam of Telangana; Harikatha of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka; Danda Nritya & Chhau Dance of Odisha; Dhankul Geet of Chhattisgarh etc.

For promotion of folk artists, they are engaged by these ZCCs to showcase their talent throughout the country for which they are paid TA/DA, honorarium, boarding & lodging, local transport etc. by the ZCCs. These ZCCs under Ministry of Culture are implementing a number of schemes for promoting the folk artists, details of which are Annexed.

(e) Funds released by the Ministry of Culture to the seven ZCCs during the last three years are as under:
(Rs. in lakh)
Year Funds released
2016-17 6085.07
2017-18 4689.71
2018-19 5952.69


ANNEXURE

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1273 for 25.11.2019


SCHEMES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY ZCCs


i. AWARD TO YOUNG TALENTED ARTISTES: The Scheme “Young Talented Artists” is carried out to encourage and recognize the young talents especially in the field of rare art forms. Talented youngsters of the age group of 18-30 years are selected and given a onetime cash award of Rs. 10,000/-.

ii. GURU SHISHYA PARAMPARA SCHEME: This scheme envisages transmitting our valued traditions to the coming generations. Disciples are trained under veterans in art forms which are rare and vanishing. Rare and vanishing art forms of the region are identified and eminent exponents are selected to carry out the 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 scheme. The names of the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.

iii. THEATRE REJUVENATION SCHEME: To promote theatre activities including stage shows and Production oriented workshops, etc. Honorarium Up to Rs. 30,000/- per show excluding TA & DA is paid. The groups finalized on the basis their credentials as well as the merit of project submitted by them.

iv. RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION SCHEME: To preserve promote and propagate vanishing visual and performing art forms including folk, tribal and classical in the field of music, dance, theatre, literature, fine arts etc. in print/ audio – visual media. The art form is finalized in consultation with state Cultural Department.

v. SHILPGRAM SCHEME: To promote folk and tribal art and crafts of the zone by organizing seminar, workshops, exhibitions, craft fairs, design development and marketing support to the artisans living in the rural areas.

vi. OCTAVE: To promote and propagate the rich cultural heritage of North East region comprising of eight States namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura to the rest of India.

vii. NATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (NCEP): It can be termed as the lifeline of the Zonal Cultural Centers. Under this scheme, various festivals of performing arts, exhibitions, yatras etc are organized in member States. Artists from other zones/states are invited to participate in these programmes. Participation of artists from the Zone in festivals held in other parts of the country are also facilitated. Zonal centres also participate in Major festivals happening in member States by arranging performances during these festivals where large number of audience get chance to enjoy and understand art forms of other regions. These festivals provide opportunity to taste and understand various cultures of our country.

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