Question : Preservation of Musical Instruments

(a) the number of Indian musical instruments that are now extinct or are on the verge of extinction;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to preserve such musical instruments;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study to understand and preserve the musical instruments in advance;

(d) whether the Government has been able to save any such endangered musical instruments in the last 10 years;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the effectiveness of current schemes and programs in preserving such endangered musical instruments?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

(PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)


(a)to(f): There is no verifiable data with the Government thereby suggesting instruments to be extinct or on the verge of extinction. However, there are some instruments which are important part of our cultural heritage and are being preserved and promoted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), an autonomous body under Ministry of Culture. The SNA has set up a gallery of musical instruments. SNA has also conducted training programmes in heritage instruments such as Pakhawaj, Sarangi, Sundri, Shehnai, Rabab, Khartal, Singhi Sarangi, under tutelage of masters in the respective fields.

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