**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the preservation of cultural heritage and folk art in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The Ministry of Culture outlines several schemes and initiatives undertaken to preserve and promote traditional arts, including the role of Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) and financial assistance programs. The answer provides details of funds allocated to organizations in Rajasthan and mentions cultural events organized to promote folk arts. The response was issued on December 1st, 2025, and focuses on activities up to that point.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs):**
* The Government of India has established seven ZCCs, with Rajasthan being a member state of WZCC (Udaipur), NZCC (Patiala) and NCZCC (Prayagraj).
* These ZCCs regularly organize cultural activities and programs in member states, including Rajasthan.
* ZCCs implement schemes such as Award to Young Talented Artistes, Guru Shishya Parampara, Theatre Rejuvenation, Research & Documentation, Shilpgram, Octave, and National Cultural Exchange Programme.
* WZCC, NZCC, and NCZCC have revived vanishing art forms of Rajasthan, including Bhapang Wadan, Bahurupi Kala, Sarangi Vadan, Tamasha Folk Theatre.
* **Vilupt Lok Evam Janjatiya Kala Utthan Mahotsav:**
* The Ministry of Culture organizes this festival of vanishing art forms by all ZCCs at the Divisional level across all 7 zones.
* The festival is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, State Governments' Cultural Departments, and Folklore and Cultural Studies Departments of State/Central Universities.
* Folk artists are engaged and provided with honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, and local transport.
* **Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) Scheme:**
* The Ministry of Culture runs this scheme to provide financial support to folk artists of all genres of performing arts.
* Assistance for the Guru is Rs. 15,000/- per month, and for the Shishya, it ranges from Rs. 2,000-10,000/- per month depending on the artist's age.
* **Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPG):**
* The Ministry of Culture runs CFPG to promote traditional fair festivals of the country.
* Financial assistance is provided to organizations for organizing Seminars, Conferences, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music, etc.
* The grant released to organizations located in Rajasthan during the last three years:
* 2022-23: Rs. 81.16 lakh for 48 organizations.
* 2023-24: Rs. 82.28 lakh for 58 organizations.
* 2024-25: Rs. 61.55 lakh for 40 organizations.
* **Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs):**
* The Ministry of Culture organizes RSMs at the national level to provide a platform for folk artists from all over India, including Rajasthan.
* Till date, 14 RSMs and 04 Zonal Level RSMs have been organized.
* The 14th RSM was held at Bikaner, Rajasthan, from February 25th to March 5th, 2023, and was inaugurated by the President of India.
* The first Zonal Level Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was organized at Kota, Rajasthan on September 5th, 2023.
**Impact Analysis**
**Folk Artists of Rajasthan**
* **Impact:** The schemes and initiatives outlined in the response provide financial support, performance opportunities, and platforms for preserving and promoting their art forms.
* **Action Required:** Artists should explore and apply for the various schemes and participate in the cultural programs offered by the ZCCs and the Ministry of Culture.
**Organizations in Rajasthan involved in promoting cultural heritage**
* **Impact:** The CFPG provides financial assistance to these organizations, helping them to organize events, seminars, and workshops.
* **Action Required:** Organizations should apply for grants under the CFPG scheme to support their activities.
**State Government of Rajasthan (Cultural Departments)**
* **Impact:** The State government is involved in the organization of the Vilupt Lok Evam Janjatiya Kala Utthan Mahotsav in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and ZCCs.
* **Action Required:** Continue collaborating with the Ministry of Culture and ZCCs for organizing events and promoting folk art.
**Zonal Cultural Centres (WZCC, NZCC, NCZCC)**
* **Impact:** These centers play a crucial role in organizing cultural activities, implementing schemes, and promoting the cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
* **Action Required:** Continue organizing cultural programs, implementing schemes, and promoting the cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The central ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and folk art.
Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs): Seven organizations set up by the Government of India to protect, promote, and preserve folk art and culture.
Rajasthan: The state specifically mentioned as the location of Bharatpur district, where the preservation of cultural heritage is in question.
Guru-Shishya Parampara: A scheme that provides financial support to folk artists of all genres of performing arts.
Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPG): A scheme that provides financial assistance to organizations for organizing cultural events.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-89
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE AND FOLK ART OF BHARATPUR
†89. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the status and continued neglect of preservation and
promotion of the traditional cultural heritage and folk art of Bharatpur district of
Rajasthan, which is gradually diminishing;
(b) if so, the details of the schemes aimed at preserving cultural heritage, providing financial
assistance to local artists and promoting cultural tourism; and
(c) if not, the reasons for the inadequate Governmental attention and lack of effective
cultural development in the district?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art & culture and to preserve
and promote the traditional cultural heritage of the country including Rajasthan, the
Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). Rajasthan is a member
State of West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur; North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC),
Patiala and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj. These ZCCs organize
various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States including
the State of Rajasthan. The ZCCs also implement number of schemes viz. Award to Young
Talented Artistes, Guru Shishya Parampara, Theatre Rejuvenation, Research &
Documentation, Shilpgram, Octave, and National Cultural Exchange Programme to promote
the cultural heritage of their member States including the State of Rajasthan.
Recently, WZCC, NZCC & NCZCC have also undertaken the revival of vanishing art
forms viz. Bhapang Wadan, Bahurupi Kala, Sarangi Vadan, Tamasha Folk Theatre, Sanskrut
Naatya, Kadtal Vadan, Kalbelia Dance, Dhrupad Gayan, Mand Gayan, Madheran Art,
Rawan Hatha Instrument, Mewati Lok Gayan and Kuchamani Khayal Lok Natya of
Rajasthan including Bharatpur.
Ministry of Culture has also organized Vilupt Lok Evam Janjatiya Kala Utthan
Mahotsav (festival of vanishing art forms) by all the ZCCs at Divisional level across all 7
Zones in collaboration with Ministry of Textiles, Cultural Departments of State Govts,
Folklore and Cultural Studies Departments of various State/ Central Universities.
WZCC, NZCC & NCZCC engage folk artists from their member States including
Rajasthan during various cultural activities & programmes organized by them for which they
are paid honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, local transport etc.(b) Ministry of Culture runs Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) Scheme under
which financial support is provided to folk artists of all genres of performing arts viz. musical
groups, dance groups, theatre groups including children theatre, music ensembles etc. Under
the scheme, the amount of assistance for Guru (leader of the Group) is Rs. 15,000/- per
month and for the Shishya is Rs. 2,000-10,000/- per month depending upon the age of the
artist.
To promote the traditional fair festivals of the country including Rajasthan, Ministry
of Culture runs a scheme viz. Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPG) under
which financial assistance is provided to organizations for organizing Seminars, Conferences,
Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-
Theatre, Music etc. The grant released to the organizations located in Rajasthan under this
scheme during the last three years is as under:
Sl. No. Year No. of organizations Amount
i. 2022-23 48 Rs. 81.16 lakh
ii. 2023-24 58 Rs. 82.28 lakh
iii. 2024-25 40 Rs. 61.55 lakh
Ministry of Culture through its ZCCs organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs
(RSMs) at national level in the country by providing a platform to a large number of folk
artists from all over India including the State of Rajasthan who showcase their talents during
the event. Till date, 14 RSMs and 04 Zonal Level RSMs have been organized by the Ministry
of Culture. The 14th RSM was held at Bikaner, Rajasthan from 25th February to 5th March,
2023. The event was inaugurated by H.E. the President of India.
The first Zonal Level Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was organized at Kota, Rajasthan
on 5th September, 2023. The then Hon’ble Vice President of India graced the event.
(c) Does not arise.
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