Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture is taking steps to preserve traditional Pooja and mythological practices, managed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) through the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The SNA organizes cultural events to support local artists. Funds have been allocated and expended for the conservation, preservation, and environmental development of protected monuments.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Preservation of Traditional Practices:**
* The Ministry of Culture, via the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), maintains a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
* The inventory includes Pooja, mythological rituals, and other cultural traditions like Kutiyattam, Ramlila, Vedic Chanting, Durga Puja, Garba, Rath Yatra of Puri, and Bhagoriya Adivasi Nritya, among others.
* Preservation includes digitization, documentation, and organizing cultural events for local artists.
* The SNA collaborated with the District Administration, Solapur, Maharashtra, and the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple Trust, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, to organize the Kala Pravaha temple festival, featuring performances like Bharud, Warkari Kirtan, and Dashawtar.
* **Fund Allocation and Expenditure:**
* Details of allocation and expenditure for conservation and preservation in the country including Odisha over the last five years are provided in an annexure.
* The annexure includes a breakdown of funds allocated and spent by circle/branch from 2020-21 to 2024-25 for the conservation, preservation, and environmental development of protected monuments.
* States and Union Territories covered include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Assam, Manipur, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh, Jharkhand.
* Expenditure categories include Chemical Preservation, Horticultural Activity, DG Office, and Reserve.
* Total expenditure for all states and categories was 260.83 Cr in 2020-21, 269.57 Cr in 2021-22, 391.93 Cr in 2022-23, 443.53 Cr in 2023-24 and 202.84 Cr in 2024-25.
Impact Analysis:
* **Ministry of Culture:**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the preservation of traditional practices and monuments.
* Action Required: Continue to manage the National Inventory of ICH, organize cultural events, and allocate funds for conservation efforts.
* **Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA):**
* Impact: Serves as the nodal agency for ICH-related matters, including maintaining the National Inventory and organizing events.
* Action Required: Continue documenting and digitizing traditional practices, organizing cultural events, and collaborating with local administrations and temple trusts.
* **Local Artists and Stakeholders:**
* Impact: Benefit from performance opportunities and support for preserving their cultural traditions.
* Action Required: Participate in cultural events and collaborate with the SNA and local administrations.
* **State and UT Governments:**
* Impact: Responsible for the conservation, preservation and environmental development of protected monuments.
* Action Required: Utilise allocated funds effectively and collaborate with the Ministry of Culture and SNA to ensure the preservation of local heritage.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for preservation of cultural heritage, including traditional pooja and mythological practices.
Sangeet Natak Akademi: The nodal agency for all Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)-related matters in India, maintaining the National Inventory of ICH.
Odisha: A state in India with old temples where funds were utilised for preservation.
Kalahandi: A district in Odisha, India, specifically mentioned in relation to the preservation of old temples.
Nuapada: A district in Odisha, India, specifically mentioned in relation to the preservation of old temples.
Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple Trust, Pandharpur, Maharashtra: A temple trust in Maharashtra, India, that collaborated with the Sangeet Natak Akademi for the Kala Pravaha temple festival.
Maharashtra: A state in India where the Kala Pravaha temple festival was organised.
National Inventory of ICH: A list maintained by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, encompassing a wide range of traditions and practices, including pooja and mythological rituals.