Parliament Question: Preservation of Tribal Cultural Heritage in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1492 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 PRESERVATION OF TRIBAL CULTURAL HERITAGE IN KARBI ANGLONG AND DIMA HASAO

1492. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of tribal cultural traditions, art forms and heritage assets identified and supported by the Government in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts;

(b) the details of the financial assistance provided under applicable schemes of the Government during the last five years and the current year, year-wise;

(c) whether any tribal languages or oral traditions from these districts have been documented or digitised; and

(d) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote visibility and livelihood opportunities for tribal cultural practitioners from these districts at the national and international level? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b) North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur (an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture) has identified and supported tribal cultural traditions, art forms and heritage assets of Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao districts, Assam through various cultural festivals and programmes, the details of which are at Annexure. The grant- in-aid released to NEZCC to organize various cultural programmes and activities in their member States including the State of Assam during the last five years and current year is as

under: (Rs. in lakh) Sl. No. Year Amount released i. 2020-21 224.26 ii. 2021-22 1149.74 iii. 2022-23 840.18 iv. 2023-24 827.14 v. 2024-25 1431.66 vi. 2025-26 1002.75 (as on date) 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. The grant released to the organizations located in Assam under this scheme during the

last five years and current year is as under:(Rs. in lakh) Sl. No. Year Amount released i. 2020-21 53.40 ii. 2021-22 227.10 iii. 2022-23 214.54 iv. 2023-24 277.54 v. 2024-25 263.25 vi. 2025-26 236.52 (as on date) To promote the traditional fair festivals of the country including Assam, Ministry of Culture also 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 Assam under

this scheme during the last five years and current year is as under: (Rs. in lakh) Sl. No. Year Amount released i. 2020-21 30.12 ii. 2021-22 34.66 iii. 2022-23 96.21 iv. 2023-24 114.11 v. 2024-25 34.34 vi. 2025-26 27.52 (as on date)

(c) NEZCC has documented tribal oral traditions viz. “Tuning into Dimasa Folk Instruments of Assam - A Research Book” related to Dimasa Folk Instruments and also documented “Magrowati Muinari Kanthi Miswawa: Its Legacy and Significance”, an indigenous Tiwa Art Form, focusing on its folklore, oral traditions and cultural significance under its Research and Documentation/ Vanishing Art Forms Project.

(d) To promote visibility and livelihood opportunities, North East Zone Cultural Centre

(NEZCC), Dimapur and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture) engage folk/ tribal artists from their member States including the State of Assam (Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts) to participate in National and Inter-Zonal cultural programmes, festivals and cultural exchange activities organized by them. These artists are paid honorarium, TA/DA, local transportation, boarding & lodging etc. to enable them to earn their livelihood.

Ministry of Culture implements a scheme titled “Global Engagement Scheme” to promote India’s rich cultural heritage and enhance India’s image in the global arena in a concerted manner. The objective of the Scheme is to provide artists practicing Indian art forms, an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India’. Under the Scheme, artists from diverse cultural fields such as Folk Art including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/ Contemporary Dance, Classical/ Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the ‘Festivals of India’ abroad. Ministry of Culture has empanelled 627 artists/groups under various art forms for performing in the Festivals of India abroad.

*****ANNEXURE Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.

1492 for 09.02.2026 Karbi Anglong District, Assam Sl. Tribe Major Festivals Major Dance & Music Forms & Art No. Form i. Karbi Rongker, Chomangkan, Domahi Kikan, Jakoi Bedang, Hacha Kekan, Karbi Youth Chomangkan Dance, Rongker Dance;

Festival, Jhoom Cultivation Cheng (drum), Pongsi (flute), Festival, Rituals and Cultivation dance, Ritnong Chingdi, worshiping festival etc. Chong Kachingnang ii. Tiwa Yangli, Borot Utsav, Spring Yangli Dance, Magrowati Muinari

(Hills) Festival Kanthi Miswawa iii. Plain Tiwa/ Barat Langkhon Miswawa, Barat, Na Fisa Lalung Misawa iv. Zeme Hega Festival, Ngai Zeme Folk Dance

(Naga) v. Assamese Bihu Bihu Naam & Nach & Traditional Cane & Bamboo Crafts vi. Buddhist Poi-Sangken, Mai-Ku- Ka Along (fairy dance), Ka Tekheng Man Tai Shum-Fai/ Buddha Jayanti & (Merry making dance), Ka Mengbi Buddhist rituals (Butterfly dance), Ka Nukjung (Peacock dance), Ka Chong (umbrella dance) Dima Hasao District, Assam Sl. No. Tribe Major Festivals Major Dance & Music Forms & Art Form i. Dimasa Baishu, Bushu Dima, Baishu Dance, Jumangsha Dance;

Kachri Hangseu Manaoba, Khram (drum), Muri (flute) Rajini Gabra, Bathou ii. Kuki Mim Kut, Chavang Kut Kuki folk dances, drum & gong music *****