Question : PROMOTING ARTISTS

(a) whether the Government proposes to promote and protect the famous folk, traditional and other artists of the country including Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the names of schemes implemented and the expenditure incurred to promote the said artists during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to send folk and other artists of various parts of the country including Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh to showcase their talent at the national and international level;

(d) if so, the number of artists who have showcased their talents at national/international level during the said period, State/ UT-wise; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF CULTURE (SHRIMATI CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The Government of India 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 the various States/ UTs. The ZCCs endeavor to develop and promote the rich diversity and uniqueness of various arts of the Zone and to upgrade and enrich consciousness of the people about their cultural heritage. The ZCCs have been carrying out various activities and organizing programmes at the national, zonal and local levels in accordance with their aims and objectives implemented through following schemes:–

i.National Cultural Exchange Programme

ii.Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme

iii.Young Talented Artistes Scheme

iv.Documentation of Vanishing Art Forms

v.Theatre Rejuvenation Scheme

vi.Shilpagram Activities

vii.Loktarang – National Folk Dance Festival and OCTAVE - Festival of the North East.

Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh falls in the jurisdiction of both the North Central Zone Culture Centre (NCZCC), Allahabad and the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur.

The Funds are not released State/UT-wise but to the concerned Zonal Cultural Centres. The funds released to 7 Zonal Cultural Centres during the last three years and the current year are as under:

(Rs. in Lakh)
2010-2011	2345.16
2011-2012	3760.73
2012-2013	2159.15
2013-2014	1401.80
(As on date)