**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3980, posed on August 18, 2025, regarding the establishment of a cultural auditorium in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli. Shri Durai Vaiko inquired about the lack of a dedicated auditorium managed by the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) in Srirangam, a culturally significant center. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, responded.
The response clarifies that while the SZCC, Thanjavur, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, is responsible for preserving and promoting folk arts and culture in member states, including Tamil Nadu, there is currently no dedicated auditorium or cultural complex managed by SZCC in Srirangam.
Furthermore, the Ministry stated that there is no proposal under consideration by the Government of India to establish a permanent cultural auditorium or open-air theatre under the SZCC in Srirangam.
However, the Ministry emphasizes that the SZCC organizes various cultural activities and programs in its member states, including Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, to ensure regular programming, artisan fairs, youth festivals, and cultural tourism events. The SZCC, Thanjavur, collaborates with the Art Culture Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, to conduct the Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival at Srirangam temple annually. The Kambaramayan festival was also organized by SZCC during 2025 at Srirangam, Trichirapalli, Tamil Nadu. These initiatives aim to strengthen local livelihoods and intercultural exchange.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
SHRI DURAI VAIKO: Member of Parliament who raised the question about establishing a cultural auditorium in Srirangam.
Srirangam, Tamil Nadu: A town in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, known for its cultural and spiritual significance; the subject of the parliamentary question.
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu: A city in Tamil Nadu, India, where Srirangam is located. Also referred to as Trichirapalli.
South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, responsible for preserving and promoting folk arts and culture in its member states.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India; a member state of the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC).
Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival: An annual festival held at Srirangam temple, conducted in collaboration with the Art Culture Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, and SZCC.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3980
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURAL AUDITORIUM IN SRIRANGAM
3980. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli, being a renowned
cultural and spiritual centre, lacks a dedicated auditorium or cultural complex managed
by the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) for hosting traditional art forms, music,
dance and festivals;
(b) whether the Government proposes to establish a permanent cultural auditorium or open-
air theatre under SZCC in Srirangam to promote and preserve the region’s vibrant
cultural heritage;
(c) whether land or infrastructure support will be provided through coordination with the
State Government or Tiruchirappalli City Corporation;
(d) if so, the proposed features, funding mechanism and timeline for establishing such a
facility; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to ensure regular programming, artisan fairs, youth
festivals and cultural tourism events in Srirangam to strengthen local livelihoods and
inter-cultural exchange?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur, an autonomous organization under
Ministry of Culture, has been set up by Government of India to preserve, promote and protect
various forms of folk arts and culture of its member States including the State of Tamil Nadu
(Tiruchirappalli)by organizing various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis.
There is no dedicated auditorium or cultural complex managed by SZCC, Thanjavur.
(b) to (d) No such proposal is under the consideration of Government of India.
(e) To ensure regular programming, artisan fairs, youth festivals and cultural tourism
events, SZCC organizes various cultural activities and programmes in its member States
including Srirangam(Tamil Nadu).
To strengthen local livelihoods and inter-cultural exchange,SZCC (Thanjavur)
conducts every year Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival at Srirangam temple in collaboration with the
Art & Culture Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. The Kambaramayan festival was also
organized by SZCC during 2025 at Srirangam, Trichirapalli, Tamil Nadu where various
cultural performances were held.
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