Parliament Question: Preservation and Promotion of Shekhawati Cultural Heritage

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-74 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF SHEKHAWATI CULTURAL HERITAGE †74. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has allocated and utilised any funds for conducting cultural activities, and preservation and promotion of folk art, folk music, folk dance, traditional crafts and cultural heritage in Jhunjhunu Parliamentary Constituency during the last five years and the current year; (b) if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilised alongwith the locations and programmes, year-wise; (c) the details of cultural programmes, festivals, training camps and workshops organised and assistance to artists, heritage conservation and carried out by using other activities carried out by using the said funds, year and location-wise; (d) the details of the number of artists, cultural organisations and youth benefited from these activities alongwith the positive outcomes achieved in the fields of preservation of local art and culture, employment generation, tourism promotion and public awareness; (e) whether the Government proposes to initiate additional financial assistance or start new schemes for preservation and promotion of the rich Shekhawati cultural heritage of Jhunjhunu; and (f) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d) For conducting cultural activities and preservation and promotion of folk art, folk music, folk dance, traditional crafts and cultural heritage of the State of Rajasthan including Jhunjhunu Parliamentary Constituency, the Government of India has set up West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) at Udaipur (Rajasthan). Rajasthan is also the member State of North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj. These ZCCs cater to the cultural needs of its member States by organizing various cultural activities and programmes on a regular basis in their member States including the State of Rajasthan. The grant-in-aid released to these ZCCs to organize various cultural programmes and activities in their member States including Rajasthan during the last five years and current year is as under: (Rs. in lakh) Sl.No. Year WZCC, Udaipur NZCC, Patiala NCZCC, Prayagraj i. 2021-22 653.92 530.76 984.70 ii. 2022-23 1452.49 276.51 301.51 iii. 2023-24 1280.10 1067.79 3553.24 iv. 2024-25 1129.00 1129.00 3227.66 v. 2025-26 1333.00 2914.87 1288.89 vi. 2026-27 347.50 217.63 417.60 (as on date)WZCC, NZCC & NCZCC engage folk artists from their member States including the State of Rajasthan during various cultural activities & programmes organized by them for which these artists are paid honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, local transport etc. The details of the major cultural programmes/ activities organized by these ZCCs, the number of artists who benefited, and the financial assistance extended to them are enclosed at Annexure. (e) & (f) No such proposal is under the consideration of Government. *****ANNEXURE Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 74 for 20.07.2026 Details of the major cultural programmes/ activities organized by WZCC, NZCC & NCZCC in the State of Rajasthan, number of artists who benefited and the financial assistance extended to these artists  West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur: Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Expenditure (Rs. No. activity artists in lakh) benefitted 1 Malhar 2021-22 Shilpgram, 12 2.24 Udaipur 2 Wood, Cane & Bamboo Shilpgram, 14 77.00 Workshop 2021-22 Udaipur 3 Shilpdarshan (Throughout the Shilpgram, 649 75.98 year) 2022-23 Udaipur 4 Ritu Basant 2022-23 Shilpgram, 57 8.85 Udaipur 5 Bhakti Utsav 2022-23 Raj Bhavan, 37 24.55 Jaipur 6 Lokanurajan Mela 2022-23 Jodhpur 109 5.81 7 Chitrankan' Mural Art Camp Shilpgram, 21 16.00 2023-24 Udaipur 8 Har Ghar Tiranga& Meri Mati Rajasthan 27 6.96 Mera Desh Campaign Program 2023-24 9 Malhar 2023-24 Shilpgram, 62 17.27 Udaipur 10 Meri Matti Mera Desh 2023- Rajasthan 168 11.29 24 11 Qila Aur Khaniya 2023-24 Chittorgarh 84 15.00 12 Ritu Vasant 2023-24 Shilpgram, 9.03 Udaipur 13 Shilpdarshan (Throughout the Shilpgram 482 84.36 year) 2023-24 Udaipur 14 Shilpgram Utsav 2023-24 Shilpgram, 855 106.70 Udaipur 15 All India Senior Artist Camp Udaipur 20 6.15 WZCC &Takhman 28 Collaboration 2024-25 16 Gulzar-E-Gazal 2024-25 Shilpgram, 20 6.61 Udaipur 17 Guru-Shishya Parampara Rajasthan 56 4.13 2024-25 18 Lokanurjan Mela 2024-25 Jodhpur 56 5.43 19 Lord Birsa-Munda National Shilpgram, 179 12.95 Tribal Festival 2024-25 Udaipur 20 Malhar Classical Dance 2024- Shilpgram, 36 10.43 25 Udaipur 21 National Lok Mahotsav Jaipur 70 10.50 Lokrang 2024-25Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Expenditure (Rs. No. activity artists in lakh) benefitted 22 Ritu Vasant 2024-25 Shilpgram, 47 9.80 Udaipur 23 Shilpdarshan Program 2024- Shilpgram, 750 114.42 25 Udaipur 24 Shilpgram Utsav 2024-25 Shilpgram, 683 101.76 Udaipur 25 Surtaal 2024-25 Jaipur 40 6.38 26 Tarang Shakti 2024-25 Jodhpur 69 5.02 27 Celebration 75 Years the Balotara 59 5.36 Indian Constitution 2025-26 28 Chitrankan Miniature Painting Udaipur 23 7.36 Camp 2025-26 29 Lokanurjan Mela 2025-26 Jodhpur 72 7.08 30 Lok-Rang 2025-26 Jaipur 97 10.55 31 Malhar 2025-26 Shilpgram, 28 5.25 Udaipur 32 Ritu Basant 2025-26 Shilpgram, 64 15.1 Udaipur 33 Shilpdarshan Program 2025- Shilpgram, 939 136.48 26 Udaipur 34 Shilpgram Utsav 2025-26 Shilpgram, 666 100.29 Udaipur 35 Yatra Pachimalap 2025-26 Pali 85 11.83 36 Bharav Ji Mela 2026-27 Baswara 80 5.80 37 Folk of Contemporary Art RIC Jaipur 20 12.30 Camp 2026-27 38 Hatotsav 2026-27 Baswara, 68 2.62 Rajasthan 39 Shilpdarshan 2026-27 Shilpgram, 107 14.96 Udaipur 40 Swar Sudha Classical Dance Jodhpur 23 14.96 2026-27  North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj: Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 1 NatyaKaryashala 2021-22 Jodhpur, Rajasthan 26 1.75 2 Dharohar 2021-22 Balotra, Rajasthan 100 6.54 3 Lokrang 2021-22 Jaipur, Rajasthan 30 4.51 4 Maru Natya Mahotsav 2021- Bikaner, Rajasthan 45 2.39 22 5 Meera Mahotsav 2022-23 Chittorgarh, 15 0.48 Rajasthan 6 Bhilwara Festival 2022-23 Bhilwara, 15 0.77 Rajasthan 7 Lokanuranjan Mela 2022-23 Jodhpur, Rajasthan 60 5.45 8 Thar Mahotsav 2022-23 Barmer, Rajasthan 30 1.87 9 Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke 2023- Siker, Rajasthan 15 2.00Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 24 10 Rastriya NatyaSamaroh 2023- Jodhpur, Rajasthan 72 5.50 24 11 SaptrangKaryakram 2023-24 Jaipur, Rajasthan 30 2.03 12 Natya Festival 2023-24 Ajmer, Rajasthan 24 0.35 13 Meera Mahotsav 2023-24 Chittorgarh, 15 0.54 Rajasthan 14 LokrangSamaroh 2023-24 Jaipur, Rajasthan 30 6.00 15 Camel Festival 2024-25 Bikaner, Rajasthan 30 3.50 16 Nrityam 2024-25 Jaipur, Rajasthan 23 2.66 17 Lokanuranjan Mela Jodhpur, Rajasthan 15 0.91 2024-25 18 Meera Mahotsav 2024-25 Chittorgarh, 55 4.41 Rajasthan 19 3 Days Natya Mahotsav 2024- Alwar, Rajasthan 45 2.46 25 20 Lokanuranjan Mela Jodhpur, Rajasthan 45 5.27 2024-25 21 Dharohar 2024-25 Bikaner, Rajasthan 75 9.83 22 International Lok Nritya Jodhpur, Rajasthan 15 1.13 Samaroh 2025-26 23 Meera Mahotsav 2025-26 Chittorgarh, 04 0.54 Rajasthan 24 Lokrang 2025-26 Jaipur, Rajasthan 45 4.50 25 Sufi Mahotsav 2025-26 Jaipur, Rajasthan 55 2.38 26 Oont Utsav 2025-26 Bikaner, Rajasthan 26 2.06 27 Thar NatyaSamaroh Bikaner, Rajasthan 54 3.94 2025-26 28 Lokanuranjan Mela Jodhpur, Rajasthan 60 6.83 2025-26 29 Virasat Lok Kala Utsav 2025- Jodhpur, Rajasthan 171 17.74 26 30 Nrityam 2025-26 Jaipur, Rajasthan 46 3.04  North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala: Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 1 National Lok Rang 2021-22 Jaipur 96 7.74 2 Desert Festival 2021-22 Jaisalmer 30 2.16 3 International Camel Festival Jaipur 47 1.99 2021-22 4 Lokanuranjan Mela 2021-22 Jodhpur 123 10.18 Udaipur 31 1.69 5 Tribal Festival 2021-22 Jodhpur 210 21.32Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 6 Rajasthan Diwas 2021-22 Barmer 46 3.81 Bundi 61 4.31 Jodhpur 45 2.73 7 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Udaipur 23 0.79 2022-23 8 781th Foundation Day of Bubdi Bundi 40 1.52 2022-23 9 Theatre Fetival 2022-23 Bhanswara and 61 1.17 Bikaner 10 Folk Theatre workshop 2022- Jaipur 12 3.20 23 11 Lok Rang Festival 2022-23 Alwar 39 1.2 12 Theatre Fetival 2022-23 Jaipur 33 0.46 13 Meera Maho 2022-23 Chittorgarh 45 2.81 14 National Lok Rang Festival Jaipur 116 9.70 2022-23 15 7th Bikaner Theatre Festival Bikaner 70 2.55 2022-23 16 Pushkar Mela 2022-23 Ajmer 76 5.35 17 Bundi Festival 2022-23 Bundi 60 4.54 18 KHELA-National Comedy Ajmer 41 1.58 Theatre Festival 2022-23 19 Cultural programme 2022-23 Dungarpur 16 2.19 20 Rang Natya Theatre Festival Jaipur 65 2.95 2022-23 21 Dhruvpad Samaroh 2022-23 Jaipur 4 1.50 22 Seminar & Art Workshop as a Udaipur 6 0.60 part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2022-23 23 Bhilwara Mahotsav 2022-23 Bhilwara 31 1.78 24 Camel festival 2022-23 Bikaner 31 2.16 25 Baneshwar Mela 2022-23 Dungarpur 47 2.31 26 Closing Ceremony of Delphic Jaipur 1 0.50 Games Rajasthan 2022-23 27 Jalor Mahotsav 2022-23 Jalor 46 3.17 28 Loknuranjan Mela 2022-23 Jodhpur 107 8.21 Udaipur 30 2.70 29 19th National theatre Festival Udaipur 13 0.61 2022-23 30 Performance during Industrial Kota 8 3.50 Bussiness Expo organized The SSI Association 2022-23 31 AbhigayanShankuntalam Jaipur 15 0.74 during Classical Theatre Festival 2022-23 32 60th kumbha Sangeet Samaroh Udaipur 24 3.10 2022-23 33 Thar Festival 2022-23 Barmer 31 1.20 34 MELLA 2022-23 Udaipur 11 0.35 35 Amar Kala Mahotsav 2022-23 Bikaner 22 0.61Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 36 Bhairav Ji Mela 2023-24 Banswara 23 10.01 37 Saptrang 2023-24 Jaipur 32 1.76 38 Three day cultural event and Jaipur 2 2.81 Flute Recital 2023-24 39 Lok Rang Festival 2023-24 Jaipur 124 1.48 40 Maharaja Surajmal Samriti Bharatpur 46 1.96 Samroh 2023-24 41 Camel festival 2023-24 Bikaner 47 2.31 42 Jalour Mahotsav 2023-24 Jalour 16 0.84 43 Sangeet Samaroh 2023-24 Udiapur 10 3.00 44 Loknaranjan Mela 2023-24 Jodhpur 93 6.31 45 8th Bikaner Theatre Festival Bikaner 22 0.55 2023-24 46 Transgender Dance Music & Dhaulpur 6 2.25 Literature Festival 2024-25 47 Sur Taal 2024-25 Jaipur 11 2.30 48 Tarang Shakti 2024-25 Jodhpur 12 1.17 49 Rashtriya Lok Nritya Samaroh- Jaipur 120 19.10 Lok Rang 2024-25 50 525th Janam Mahotsav of Chittorgarh 7 2.00 Meeran Bai 2024-25 51 Kala Milan Utsav 2024-25 Jaipur 3 3.00 52 Rankapoor Jawai Bandh Utsav Pali 57 5.14 2024-25 53 30th All India Dhrupad Nad Jaipur 1 1.50 Ninad Virasat Samaroh 2024- 25 54 Camel Festival 2024-25 Bikaner 31 2.65 55 Kota Mahotsav 2024-25 Kota 30 4.08 56 Desert Festival 2024-25 Jaisalmer 30 4.09 57 Lok Nuranjan Mela 2024-25 Udaipur 30 5.48 58 Churu Mahotsav 2024-25 Churu 10 0.87 59 63rd Maharana Kumbha Udaipur 5 2.00 Sangeet Samaroh 2024-25 60 Lok Nuranjan Mela 2024-25 Jodhpur 1 1.50 61 Sanskritik Programme2025-26 Jaipur 3 1.10 62 Rashtriya Lok Nritya Jodhpur 46 5.03 Samaroh2025-26 63 Meera Utsav 2025-26 Chittorgarh 11 1.80 64 Marwar Festival 2025-26 Osian 37 3.93 65 28th National Lok Nritya 2025- Jaipur 76 12.67 26 66 30-day production-oriented Jaipur 8 2.78 Theatre workshop 2025-26 67 Camel Festival 2025-26 Bikaner 31 3.01 68 Desert Festival 2025-26 Jaisalmer 30 4.19 69 Cultural Event Aayo Basant Jaipur 10 1.72 2025-26Sl. Name of the programme/ Venue No. of Financial No. activity organized artists assistance benefitted given to these artists (Rs. in lakh) 70 Bikaner Theatre Festival 2025- Bikaner 26 1.62 26 71 Loknarajan Mela 2025-26 Jodhpur 47 5.80 72 Qawwali Festival 2025-26 Jaipur 6 4.90 73 63rd Maharana Kumbha Udaipur 4 1.50 sangeet Samaroh2025-26 74 District Foundation Day 2026- Hanumangarh 32 2.04 27 *****