Executive Summary:
This document is the response of the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the preservation and promotion of tribal cultural dances, specifically the Kommu tribal dance of the Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh. The Ministry supports Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) through a centrally sponsored scheme. No proposal is currently under consideration for including tribal dances in school curricula.
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial Support for Tribal Culture Preservation:
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs supports 29 TRIs in States/UTs, including the Tribal Research Institute in Andhra Pradesh, through the "Support to Tribal Research Institutes" scheme.
* Financial support is contingent on the Annual Action Plan submitted by States/UTs and approval from the Apex Committee.
* Supported activities include research, documentation, training, tribal festivals, and exchange visits to promote cultural heritage.
Andhra Pradesh Government Initiatives:
* The Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken steps to preserve and promote tribal cultural dances.
* Five video documentations of tribal dance forms, including Kommu Koya, have been completed and uploaded online.
* Kommu tribal dance performers are encouraged to perform at important events and festivals.
Curriculum Inclusion:
* There is no current proposal to include tribal cultural dances, such as the Koya's Kommu dance, in school curricula.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
* Impact: Responsible for providing financial support to TRIs for cultural preservation activities.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee the "Support to Tribal Research Institutes" scheme and review Annual Action Plans submitted by States/UTs.
Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs):
* Impact: Benefit from financial support for research, documentation, and promotion of tribal cultures.
* Action Required: Submit Annual Action Plans to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for funding consideration.
Government of Andhra Pradesh:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing initiatives to preserve and promote tribal cultural dances within the state.
* Action Required: Continue to support and encourage performances of Kommu tribal dance at relevant events.
Koya Tribe (specifically Kommu dance performers):
* Impact: Benefit from increased opportunities to showcase their cultural heritage.
* Action Required: Participate in performances and events to promote and preserve the Kommu dance.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of tribal communities.
SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the unstarred question regarding preservation of tribal cultural dances.
SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Kommu tribal dance: A specific tribal dance form of the Koya tribe, facing declining popularity in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Koya tribe: A tribal community in India, known for the Kommu dance.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where the Kommu tribal dance of the Koya tribe is performed.
Support to Tribal Research Institutes: A Centrally Sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide financial support to Tribal Research Institutes.
Tribal Research Institute, Andhra Pradesh: A Tribal Research Institute in Andhra Pradesh receiving financial support under the Support to Tribal Research Institutes scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2040
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31/07/2025
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL DANCES
2040. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any schemes in place for the preservation and promotion of tribal
cultural dances across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken note of the declining popularity and near-extinction of the Kommu
tribal dance of the Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has formulated any specific plans for the protection and promotion of the
Kommu dance and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether any funds have been released or earmarked for these initiatives and if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether the Government is considering the inclusion of tribal cultural dances such as the Koya's
Kommu dance in school curricula to ensure their transmission to future generations, if so, the details
thereof; and
(g) whether any funds have been released or earmarked for such curricular initiatives and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (e): Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored scheme ‘Support
to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)’ extends financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in
States/Union Territories (UTs) including Tribal Research Institute, Andhra Pradesh on the basis of the
Annual Action Plan submitted by the States/UTs subject to the approval of the Apex Committee chaired by
the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under the scheme, proposals relating to, inter-alia research &
documentation activities and training & capacity building programmes, organization of tribal festivals,
yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and tourism and organisation of exchange visits by tribals
are organised so that their cultural practices including dance forms, languages and ritual are preserved and
disseminated. TRIs are primarily institutions under the administrative control of the State Government/UT
Administration.
As informed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the following significant steps have been taken for the
preservation and promotion of tribal cultural dances of tribes in Andhra Pradesh state.
(5) Video Documentation completed on tribal dance forms are Dhimsa, Mayura performed by Khond
(PVTG), Thongseng performed by Savara (PVTG), Kommu Koya performed by Koya & Chenchata
dance performed by Chenchu (PVTG) for the digital repository.
The 5 videos uploaded on the MoTA website, TRI YouTube channel etc.https://youtu.be/RB4pwE6lxB4
https://youtu.be/oIOt5y83d2A
Further, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken several steps to preserve and conserve cultural dance
forms for the next generations. At the ITDA level, the cultural performers of Kommu tribal dance of the
Koya tribe are encouraged to perform Kommu Koya dance in all important occasions, tribal festivals, melas,
official functions and inaugural events etc., for showcasing living cultural heritage.
(f) & (g): No proposal for the inclusion of tribal cultural dances such as the Koya's Kommu dance in school
curricula to ensure their transmission to future generations is under consideration of the Ministry.
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