Parliament Question: Preservation of Theyyam traditions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4358 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 PRESERVATION OF THEYYAM TRADITIONS 4358. SHRI SANDOSH KUMAR P: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government recognizes Theyyam of North Kerala as an important form of India's intangible cultural heritage; (b) whether any proposal has been submitted to include Theyyam in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and if so, the status thereof; (c) the details of financial assistance provided to Theyyam artists, troupes and cultural institutions in North Kerala during the last five years, year-wise; (d) whether Government proposes to establish a dedicated cultural centre, museum or research institute for documentation and preservation of Theyyam traditions; and (e) the steps taken to provide welfare support, insurance and pension benefits to traditional Theyyam performers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) and (b) Ministry of Culture is mandated for recognizing the rich and diverse traditions of India’s intangible cultural heritage, including various regional ritual art forms for which research and proper documentation are carried out to include the elements in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). However, no such proposal has been received to include Theyyam in the said list. (c) Ministry of Culture administers various schemes under which financial assistance/ monthly assistance(for Veteran Artists) is provided to the individual artists, troupes and cultural organizations working in field of various arts forms across the country including the state of Kerala. There is no provision of state-wise/ area-wise or specific art form related allocation of funds. The details of amount disbursed to organisations/individuals in the state of Kerala under various schemes of this Ministry is attached at Annexure. (d) Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) an organization of this Ministry administers ICH Scheme for documentation and preservation of various arts forms and traditions. However, no proposal is under consideration for establishment of dedicated museum for Theyyam tradition of Kerala. (e) The Government has taken several steps to support practitioners, folk artists, and traditional performers including Theyyam performers. These includes implementation of various schemes and programmes through the Ministry of Culture and its organizations such as Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) to promote, preserve and disseminate traditional arts forms. Support is provided in the form of financial assistance, honorarium, travel allowance, performance opportunities through the organization of cultural festivals, fairs, workshops, exhibitions and cultural exchanges across the country.Annexure Annexure to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4358 for answer on 02.04.2026. Details of number of organizations/beneficiaries and amount disbursed/authorized for withdrawal in last five years under Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojna scheme in the state of Kerala:- (Rs. in lakh) Sl. Name of the 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-24 2024-25 No. Scheme Nos. of Amoun Nos. of Amoun Nos. of Amoun Nos. of Amount Nos. Amount Orgs/Be t Orgs/ t Orgs/ t Orgs/ authorized of authorized neficiari disburs Benefici disburs Benefici disburs Benefici for Orgs/ for es ed aries ed aries ed aries withdrawal Benefi withdrawa ciaries l 1 Financial 9 90.6 9 81.12 37 264.4 38 318.06 19 169.71 Assistance for Promotion of Guru Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) 2 Financial 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 18.75 2 32.50 Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence 3 Cultural Function 23 37.03 28 57.52 30 48.38 30 40.27 21 65.13 and Production Grant 4 Financial 0 0 0 0 1 13.5 0 0 0 0 Assistance for Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan Culture and Art 5 Building Grants 0 0 0 0 1 1.4 0 0 0 0 including Studio Theatre Scheme 6 Scheme For the 57 52.20 43 68.40 62 85.20 60 54.00 54 73.80 Award of Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in The Field of Culture 7 Scheme for 91 27.30 74 22.20 20 6.00 71 21.30 48 14.40 Scholarships to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fields 8 Financial 24 8.18 57 24.49 51 25.3 67 64.21 80 85.82 Assistance for Veteran Artists *****