(a) whether most of the Indian traditional folk culture are getting extinct;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to frame any concrete policy for revival and maintenance of Indian folk arts and culture;
(c) if so, the measures taken to give incentives to artists; and
(d) the details of incentive schemes being provided to folk artists in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) & (b) No such formal study has been conducted so far by the Government. However, to protect, preserve and promote various forms of folk arts and culture throughout the country, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.
(c) & (d) These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis all over India. Folk artists are engaged by all the seven ZCCs to perform in the cultural programmes organized by them for which they are given TA/DA, honorarium, boarding & lodging and local transport.
Further, to give incentives to artists including folk artists in the country, this Ministry is running the following schemes:
1. Award to Young Talented Artiste Scheme is to encourage and recognize the young talents especially in the field of rare art forms, talented youngsters between the age group of 18-30 years are selected and given a one time cash award of Rs.10,000/-.
2. Under Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, various art forms of particular region are identified and disciples are trained under the guidance of eminent exponents/ Gurus in ‘Gurukula’ tradition. The monthly remuneration for Guru is Rs. 7500/-, for Accompanist is Rs. 3750/- and for Pupils is Rs. 1,500/- for a period of six month to maximum 1 year for one scheme. The names of the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.
3. Under Repertory Grant Scheme, financial support is provided to all genres of performing arts activities like dramatic & theatre groups, music ensembles, children theatre etc. and imparting training to artists by their respective Gurus on regular basis in line with Guru Shishya Parampara. As per the scheme, support is provided to 1 Guru and maximum 18 Shishyas. The amount of assistance for Guru is Rs. 10000/- & for Shishya is Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 6000/-.
4. Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture:
(i) Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in the Fields of Culture: Senior Fellowship of Rs. 20,000/- per month is awarded to a maximum of 200 outstanding persons selected in the age group of 40 years and above for a period of 2 years for cultural research. Junior Fellowship of Rs. 10,000/- per month is awarded to a maximum of 200 outstanding persons selected in the age group of 25 to 40 years for a period of 2 years in one batch year for cultural research.
(ii) Award of Scholarships to young artists in different cultural fields: A maximum of 400 Scholarships of Rs. 5,000/- per month are provided to selected young artistes in the age group of 18 to 25 years for advanced training under any Guru/Institution in different cultural fields.
(iii) Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research: A maximum of 15 National Fellowships and 25 Research Scholarships with honorarium of Rs. 80,000/- per month and Rs. 50,000/- per month respectively upto a maximum period of two years for cultural research under the identified participating institutions in different categories is provided to selected fellows and scholars.
5. Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artistes: The Scheme is meant for improving the financial and socio-economic status of the old artistes and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. in their active age or are still contributing in the field of arts, letters etc. but due to old age, they have to lead a miserable life or are in penury condition. Under this scheme, a monthly allowance of Rs. 4000/- is provided to an artist who has attained the age of 60 years.
6. Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG): The objective of this scheme is to provide financial support for organizing Seminars, Conference, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc. The maximum grant provided under CFPG is Rs. 5.00 Lakh.