Parliament Question: Cultural Mapping under NMCM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2681 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 CULTURAL MAPPING UNDER NMCM †2681. Shri Hanuman Beniwal Adv. Chandra Shekhar : Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:- (a) the details of total number of artists, folk art groups and cultural institutions registered in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan under National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) so far; (b) whether the Government has completed digital mapping of cultural resources in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan including Nagaur, Deedwana- Kuchaman, Jodhpur Phalodi, Barmer, Bikaner and Pali districts; (c) if so, the details thereof along with timeline fixed for its completion; and (d) the details of the special measures taken/being taken under the said mapping exercise to ensure the inclusion of rural and tribal artists? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) is a key component under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). MGMD undertakes documentation of artists, folk art groups and cultural institutions as part of village cultural profiles and does not provide for registration. Data recorded on the MGMD Portal is maintained village-wise and not as per individual cultural elements for all States and UTs, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, details of certain artists, folk art groups and cultural institutions documented as part of village cultural profiles in the said States are placed at Annexure-I. (b) &(c) The MGMD Portal documents cultural resources at the village level across India, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in a structured format covering heritage sites, oral traditions, beliefs and customs, historical significance, local landmarks and art forms, among others.In Uttar Pradesh, out of total 110878 villages, 103003 villages have been mapped. In Rajasthan, out of total 46744 villages, 46696 villages have been mapped. The status of coverage in the districts in question is as follows: i. Nagaur District – 1669 villages (inclusive of Deedwana-Kuchaman district prior to reorganisation) ii. Jodhpur District, Phalodi block - 132 villages iii. Barmer District – 2955 villages iv. Bikaner District - 1154 villages v. Pali District – 1055 villages Cultural mapping, its updation and validation under NMCM are a continuous process, and the documentation of the remaining villages is being undertaken. (d) As part of its documentation activities, MGMD covers a wide range of cultural elements at the village level across India, including heritage sites, oral traditions, beliefs and customs, historical significance, local landmarks, fairs and festivals, traditional dress, ornaments, traditional food, as well as local artists and art forms, wherever available. Data on MGMD is maintained village-wise and not as per individual elements. However, certain tribal communities documented in Uttar Pradesh include Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Raji, Tharu, Gond, Dhuria, Pathari, Khairwar, Pankha, and Baiga. Similarly, certain tribal communities mapped in Rajasthan include Bhil, Kalbeliya, Garasia, Sahariya, Kamad and Meena. Details of some notable rural and tribal artists documented for Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are placed at Annexure-II. *******ANNEXURE-I Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2681 asked on 09th March, 2026 regarding ‘Cultural Mapping under NMCM' Some Folk Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD S.No. Artist Art Form 1. Goarakh Ram Folk Music 2. Shatrugan Paswan Lavanda performer 3. Rambhar Paswan Jodi player 4. Shivnath Folk Music 5. Nathuni Paswan Pakhawaj player 6. Mahendra Yadav Birha singer 7. Kanhaiyalal Dholak player 8. Kamlesh Prasad Jham player 9. Sukhaliya Kol Dancer 10. Chotelal Alha singer Some Folk Art Groups and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD S.No. Folk Art Group Art Form 1. Shatrugan Paswan and Group Lavanda Naach 2. Mahendra Yadav and Group Bhajan 3. Ramprit and Group Bidesia 4. Amarjit Maurya and Group Nayakva/ Banjarva music 5. Shrikrishna and Group Barahmasi performance 6. Hari Shankar Acharya and Group Folk songs-Lamtera, Gari, etc. Some Cultural Institutions documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD S.No. Cultural Institutions Theme 1. The Buddha Museum Rare artefacts – ancient sculptures, terracotta, and Thangka paintings. 2. Audyogik Utpadan Sahkari Samiti Artisan cooperative - traditional Limited wood carving for furniture, décor items, and lacquerware.S.No. Artist Art Form 1. Mohan Lal Chatubhuj Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 2. Khemraj Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 3. Rajendra Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 4. Himmat Lal Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 5. Jamna Lal Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 6. Prem Shankar Kumhar Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art 7. Govardhan Nath Kalbeliya Dance 8. Jaman Lal Bhand Bakya Player 9. Ram Niwash Bairwa Nukkad Natak and Puppet shows 10. Satya Narayan Suthar Kawad Art 11. Dwarka Prasad Jagir Kawad Art Some Folk Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD Some Folk Art Groups and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD S.No. Folk Art Group Art Form 1. Sarda Kalbeliya and Group Kalbeliya dance 2. Sarangiya Langas of Barmer Sarangi players 3. Rajki Sapera troupe Kalbeliya Dance, Chari Dance, Ghoomar Dance, and Gramin Bhavai Dance. 4. Babulal Bhat and Group Rajasthani Mand folk songs 5. Punma Ram and Padma Ram Paava players (folk instrument) Some Cultural Institutions documented from Rajasthan on MGMD S.No. Cultural Institution Theme 1. Mohan Terracotta Art Research and Mandshilp - Terracota Relief Art Development Centre 2. Handloom, Leather Work, Wood Barefoot College Social Work and Carving, Puppet Shows, Nukkad Research Centre Natak, Bakya Wind Instrument 3. Hantheli Sansthan Traditional and folk craft. 4. Rupayan Sansthan Folklore Preservation 5. Arna Jharna Desert MuseumANNEXURE – II Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2681 asked on 09th March, 2026 regarding ‘Cultural Mapping under NMCM' Some Tribal Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Uttar Pradesh on MGMD S.No. Tribal Artist Tribal Art Form 1. Bela Kol Dancer 2. Sukhaliya Kol Dancer 3. Buti Bai and Group Kol folk music 4. Dadulal Kolhai Group Kol folk music Some Tribal Artists and their respective Art Forms documented from Rajasthan on MGMD S.No. Tribal Artist Tribal Art Form 1. Gulabo Sapera Kalbeliya Dance 2. Vidya Devi Soni Mandana Art 3. Yashpal Baranda Bhil Painting 4. Mohanlal Kumhar Molela Terracotta 5. Mangilal Bhil Peacock Feather Art ******