**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 161 in the Lok Sabha, answered on December 1, 2025, regarding the preservation of endangered folk art forms of Western Odisha. It confirms that no specific survey has been conducted on the status of these art forms, and that a targeted "Odisha Folk Heritage Revival Programme" is not currently under consideration. The document also details the involvement of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in the preservation effort.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Survey of Endangered Art Forms:**
* No government survey has been conducted on the status of endangered folk art forms in Western Odisha.
* **EZCC Initiatives:**
* EZCC, Kolkata, organizes programs like Dhap Dance and Ghubukudu Nacha to document and preserve intangible folk and tribal cultural heritage of Odisha.
* EZCC engages folk artists from Odisha districts like Balangir, Sonepur, and Bargarh and provides them with honorariums, TA/DA, boarding, lodging, and local transport.
* **Guru Shishya Parampara Project:**
* The ZCCs' Guru Shishya Parampara project trains disciples in rare and vanishing art forms, with eminent exponents conducting training in the Gurukula tradition.
* Monthly remuneration for Guru: Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist: Rs. 3,750/-, Pupils: Rs. 1,500/- for 6 months to 1 year per art form. Guru names are recommended by State Cultural Affairs Departments.
* **Digital Documentation:**
* All Zonal Cultural Centres are digitally documenting artists to preserve and promote India's cultural heritage.
* This creates detailed records of traditional artists for future reference, dissemination, outreach, and recognition, serving as a resource for researchers and institutions.
* **Odisha Folk Heritage Revival Programme:**
* No such proposal is currently under consideration by the Government of India.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Folk Artists (Western Odisha)**
* **Impact:**
* While there is no specific survey or revival program, the EZCC actively engages artists and provides support through honorariums, travel expenses, and accommodation. Digital documentation efforts contribute to recognition and resource availability.
* **Action Required:**
* Artists should engage with the EZCC programs and opportunities for participation and support.
**Stakeholder: State Cultural Affairs Departments**
* **Impact:**
* Departments have the responsibility of recommending Gurus for the Guru Shishya Parampara project and are key to facilitating artist engagement with the EZCC.
* **Action Required:**
* Provide recommendations for Gurus and continue to support artists' engagement with EZCC programs.
**Stakeholder: Researchers and Cultural Institutions**
* **Impact:**
* Digital documentation efforts by the Zonal Cultural Centres are providing valuable resources for research and understanding of Odisha's folk art forms.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize the digital resources provided by the Zonal Cultural Centres for research and institutional purposes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: Primary ministry responsible for the subject matter of the question, specifically preservation of folk art forms.
Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata: Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, actively involved in programmes to document and preserve intangible folk and tribal heritage.
Odisha Folk Heritage Revival Programme: Proposed program for safeguarding traditional art forms, mentioned in the question.
Guru Shishya Parampara: A project of the Zonal Cultural Centres that trains disciples in rare and vanishing art forms.
Odisha: State where the endangered folk art forms are located, central to the applicability of the policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-161
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
PRESERVATION OF ENDANGERED FOLK ART FORMS OF WESTERN ODISHA
161. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey on the status of endangered folk art
forms of Western Odisha such as Danda Nata, Dhap Dance, and Ghubukudu Nacha;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of art forms identified that needed urgent
preservation;
(c) whether the Government proposes to extend financial assistance, training support and
digital documentation for artists from districts like Balangir, Sonepur and Bargarh;
(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government is likely to consider for launching a targeted “Odisha Folk
Heritage Revival Programme” to safeguard these art traditions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) & (b) No such survey has been conducted in this regard. However, Eastern Zonal
Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata (an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture)
has organized specific programmes in Dhap Dance and Ghubukudu Nacha under Vilupt Lok
Evam Janatiya Kala Uthan Mahotsav and in other cultural programmes to document and
preserve intangible folk and tribal cultural heritage of Odisha.
(c) & (d) EZCC engages folk artists from their member States including Odisha & its
districts of Balangir, Sonepur and Bargarh during various cultural activities & programmes
organized by them for which they are paid honorarium, TA/DA, boarding & lodging, local
transport etc.
Under the Guru Shishya Parampara project of the ZCCs, disciples are trained by
veterans in rare and vanishing art forms. Such art forms are identified in the region and
eminent exponents are selected to conduct training programmes in Gurukula tradition. The
monthly remuneration for Guru – Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist – Rs. 3,750/- and Pupils - Rs.
1,500/- each for the period of six month to maximum 1 year for one art form. The names of
the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.
All the Zonal Cultural Centres (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture)
are actively undertaking digital documentation of artists to preserve and promote India’s
diverse cultural heritage. Through this initiative, detailed records of traditional, folk and
tribal artists are created in digital formats for future reference and dissemination. The
documentation enables better outreach, recognition and support for artists, while also serving
as an authentic resource for researchers and cultural institutions. This effort contributes to
safeguarding intangible cultural traditions across regions.
(e) No such proposal is under the consideration of Government of India.
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