**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given by the Minister of Culture and Tourism to Unstarred Question Number 1271 in Lok Sabha, scheduled to be answered on December 8, 2025, regarding the establishment of Kalakshetras or centers to highlight cultural heritage in Assam. It details the existing centers and activities and includes an annexure specifying funds released to various organizations between 2022-2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Existing Centers in Assam:**
* Regional Centers of Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) are functioning in Assam.
* The Guwahati Regional Centre of CCRT was started in 2008 to promote linking education with culture.
* Two Centers of Sangeet Natak Akademi established in Guwahati are: Sattriya Kendra and a Regional Centre, both started in 2008.
* Sattriya Kendra promotes Sattriya art form, while the Regional Centre promotes all performing arts tradition of North East India.
* The Regional Centre of IGNCA started in 2017 and studies various aspects of culture of communities and tribes of North East India.
* **Additional Cultural Initiatives:**
* The North East Zonal Cultural Centre has established Shilpgram (Crafts Village) in Guwahati, hosting crafts melas, exhibitions, and artisan stalls.
* **Land Acquisition:**
* 5 bigha land acquired from the Government of Assam at a cost of 4.01 crore for Regional Hub of Akademies in Assam.
* **Funding (Annexure):**
* Provides details of funds released (in Lakhs) to SNA, CCRT, and IGNCA for the years 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Culture and Tourism**
* **Impact:** Required to provide information on cultural heritage initiatives in Assam and manage the funding and operation of the centers.
* **Action Required:** Continue oversight of existing centers and projects, manage funding allocation, and ensure the initiatives align with the mandate of cultural promotion.
**Stakeholder: Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT)**
* **Impact:** These organizations are responsible for implementing cultural promotion activities in Assam and managing allocated funds.
* **Action Required:** Continue to operate existing centers, promote relevant art forms and traditions, and manage funds effectively as per the annexure.
**Stakeholder: Local Artisans, Craftsmen, and Weavers in the North East Region**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to showcase their work through Shilpgram and other cultural events.
* **Action Required:** Participate in events and exhibitions to promote their crafts and traditions.
**Stakeholder: People of Assam and the North East Region**
* **Impact:** Increased exposure to and preservation of the region's cultural heritage, access to cultural programs and events, and potential economic benefits through tourism and cultural exchange.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the cultural centers and programs to learn about and celebrate the region's heritage.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The ministry responsible for cultural initiatives and funding, as indicated by the response to the parliamentary question.
Assam: The Indian state that is the geographical focus of the parliamentary question regarding cultural centers and heritage.
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA): An autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, involved in promoting performing arts. Its regional centers in Guwahati are mentioned.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): An autonomous institution involved in studying and promoting arts, with a regional center in Assam.
Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT): An autonomous organization involved in cultural education and training, with a regional center in Guwahati.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NUMBER 1271
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
KALAKSHETRAS IN ASSAM
1271. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether any Kalakshetras or centres to highlight cultural heritage have been established
in Assam;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the timeline of completion of construction, start of operation
of such centres, the funds allotted/dispersed for the same, the area allotted and occupied
for such centres and the manner in which the area has been used; and
(c) if not, whether the Government plans to showcase the heritage of Assam in any other
manner?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c) The Regional Centres of Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), Indira Gandhi National
Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
(CCRT) are already functioning in Assam.
The Guwahati Regional Centre of CCRT was started in 2008 to further promote
CCRT’s mandate of linking education with culture, in the North East Region.Two Centres of Sangeet Natak Akademi are established in Guwahati: Sattriya
Kendra, and a Regional Centre, both started in 2008.
Sattriya Kendra promotes and preserves Sattriya art form of Assam, introduced by
Sankardeva 500 years ago, while the Regional Centre promotes all the performing
arts tradition of North East India.
The Regional Centre of IGNCA started in 2017 with a mandate to inter-alia study
the different aspects of culture of the various communities and tribes of North East
India particularly relating to their history, oral traditions, livelihood, wisdom,
traditions, cosmology, world views and customs etc.
The details of funds released by the Ministry of Culture to CCRT, IGNCA, and
SNA in the last three years may be found in Annexure.
The North East Zonal Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Culture has also
established its Shilpgram (Crafts Village), at Panjabari, Guwahati hosting crafts
melas, exhibitions, and artisan stalls for traditional craftsmen and weavers, as well
as to host cultural festivals.
A 5 bigha land also has been acquired from the Government of Assam at a cost of
4.01 crore for Regional Hub of Akademies in Assam.
****Annexure
Funds Released to Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
(IGNCA) and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT)
(Rs. in Lakhs)
S. No. Organisation Released Released Released
Name 2022–2023 2023–2024 2024-2025
1 SNA 6810.50 7105.00 12099.00
2 CCRT 2495.00 2595.00 2366.00
3 IGNCA 22977.82 10910.00 7410.00