(a) whether the Government proposes to launch any project for promotion of existing regional arts and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate any project to conserve age old ancient arts, like dance forms, ancient paintings, handicrafts etc. and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has made/ proposes to make any provision for launching programmes for this purpose; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) The mandate of the Ministry of Culture is to protect, preserve & promote various forms of folk art, traditional art forms and culture throughout the country and to meet this objective, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.
(b) to (d) To conserve age old ancient arts like dance forms, ancient paintings, handicrafts etc the autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture organize various activities, workshops and programmes.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has proposed to set up Hastkala Academy at New Delhi for supporting preservation, revival, archiving and documentation of the Handcraft and Handloom sector. The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum (NHHM) will be upgraded as Hastkala Academy by reorganizing it into a society without changing the basic character of the NHHM.