Question : PROMOTING BHOJPURI CULTURE

(a) whether folk songs and dance based programmes are being organised and Cultural Regional Centres have been set up for the promotion of culture at the national level;

(b) if so, the details thereof, location and programme-wise;

(c) the details of programmes being organised for the promotion of Bhojpuri music and local dance in the country;

(d) whether the Government proposes/has formulated any scheme to set up an Institute in future in the memory of the great Bhojpuri artist, Bhikari Thakur; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF CULTURE (SHRIMATI CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH)

(a) and (b) The Government has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) having their headquarters at Patiala, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur, Nagpur and Thanjavur. The main objectives of the ZCCs are the preservation, promotion and dissemination of the traditional folk arts and culture of all States/ UnionTerritories.

(c) The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata sponsored a 10 member Bhojpuri folk dance and song group to Mauritius for participation in the 170th Anniversary Celebration of the arrival of Indentured Laborers in Mauritius during 29th January, 2005 to 1st February, 2005.

During the years 2012-13 and 2013-14, 354 performing artists and 45 craft persons in Bhojpuri Music were invited to showcase their artforms, during 32 cultural events organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Allahabad, at various places across the country.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) No specific proposal has been received in this regard from the State Government.