Parliament Question: Promotion and Development of Folk Culture

GOVERNENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CUTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOLK CULTURE 2515. Dr. Indra Hang Subba: Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any schemes for promoting folk culture and arts of India across the country including Sikkim, through global engagement schemes; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote folk arts and culture of India during the last three years; and (d) the details of the budgetary allocation during the last five years and current year, State/UT-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) & (b): Ministry of Culture implements a scheme titled “Global Engagement Scheme” (GES) to promote India’s rich cultural heritage internationally and enhance India’s global image. The objective of the Scheme is providing artists practicing Indian art forms, an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India(FoI)’. 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. Under the Scheme, all expenditure on deputation of an artist for performing in “Festival of India” is incurred by the Government. Ministry of Culture has empanelled Artists/Groups under various art forms and Artists are selected from the empanelled list, for performing in the Festivals of India (FoIs)abroad. Currently, 627 Artists/Groups are empanelled with the Ministry. Presently, no artist/group is empanelled from Sikkim. Also, Grant-in-aid is released to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies actively functioning in foreign countries through our Indian Missions for promoting Indian Culture abroad and fostering close friendship and cultural contacts with other countries. To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art & culture within the country including Sikkim, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiaia, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. Sikkim is the member State of North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States for which annual grant-in-aid is provided to them. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as per its mandate promotes and projects various facets of India's diverse culture, including Sikkim, worldwide. (c): During the last three years Festival of India were held in Kuwait in 2022-2023 and in France in 2023-2024 under GES Scheme. Total 35 artists/members participated in 3 events in FoI held in Kuwait and total 62 artists/members participated in 9 events in FoI held in France. Similarly under ZCC, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsays (RSMs) at national level were organized through these ZCCs where a large number of artists from all over India including Sikkim are engaged to showcase their talents. Besides, Ministry of Culture also participated in Madhapur Ghed Fair in which 120 tribal artists in 2022, 239 tribal artists in 2023, 45 tribal artists in 2024 & 800 tribal artists in 2025 from North East Region including Sikkim have participated. In the last three years, ICCR has sent 78 cultural groups to various countries around the world. The details are at Annexure 'I'. (d): No State/UT-wise funds are released under GES scheme. Under ZCC, No State/UT-wise funds are allocated. However, the grant-in-aid released to ZCCs during the last five years and the current year is as follows:SI. No. Year Amount released (Rs. in lakhs) 1 2020-21 4721 .88 2 2021-22 6838.08 3 2022-23 6572.07 4 2023-24 11967.59 5 2024-25 11121.66 6 2025-26 5262.35 (as on date) *****ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF LOK SAHBA UNSTARRED QUESITON No. 2515 FOR 04.08.2025 REGARDING “PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOLK CULTURE” 2022 –23: S.No Country Name of group Date Occasion/Purpose 1. USA 12-Member “Vande 20 June-01 On the occasion of Azadi Ka (Houston) Bharatam” Rajasthani Folk July,2022 Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Dance group “Anita Pradhan celebrations. Dance Group” led by Ms. Anita Pradhan, Rajasthan along with Shri Santosh Kumar from Administration Section. 2. Turkey 13-Member Folk Group 01-08 July, To participate in the 34th “Saptak Folk Dance Group” 2022 International Golden Karagoz led by Shri Chetankumar Folk Dance Competition in Chandrakant Jethava, Gujarat Bursa, Turkey. alongwith 01 Liaison Officer Shri Aslam Khan, Protocol/DVP Section 3. Belarus 11-Member “Vande 15-20 July, For performance at Bharatam” group “Bhairi 2022 Slavianski Bazar coinciding Bhavani Performing Arts” led with 75th Anniversary of by Ms. Bhavana Chaudhary, India’s Independence and Maharashtra and 01 Liaison 30th Anniversary of Officer Shri Naresh Gulati diplomatic ties with Belarus. from ISD-ISection. Germany 21-25 July, To participate in India (Munich) 2022 Summer Days 2022 4. Brazil 12-Member Gujarati Folk 12-21 August, On the occasion of Azadi Ka group “Aavishkar” led by Shri 2022 Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Dinesh Gokaldas Parekh, celebrations. Gujarat 5. Mauritius 12-Member “Jawaharlal Nehru 14-31 August, On the occasion of Azadi Ka (14-18 August) Manipuri Dance Academy” 2022 Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) (JNMD) group led by Ms. celebrations coinciding with Madagascar Chandandevi Gurumayum, Independence Day. (18-21 August) Manipur South Africa (21-24 August)Botswana (25- 29 August) Swaziland (29- 31 August) 6. Lebanon 10-Member Vande Bharatam 14-18 August, On the occasion of “Chandigarh University Girls 2022 celebration of India Week in Team – Giddha” group led by Lebanon Mandeep Kaur, Punjab 7. New Zealand 12-Member Vande Bharatam 19-22 August, On the occasion of Azadi Ka “Chandigarh University 2022 Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Bhangra Group” led by Shri celebrations. Amit Sarwan, Punjab 8. Australia i.08-Member VB Gujarati Folk 06-17 October, AKAM celebrations. troupe “Margam” led by Ms. 2022 Priyal Dipesh Zaveri, Gujarat 9. USA 08-Member Rajasthani group 14-20 October, On the occasion of Azadi Ka (Atlanta) led by Ms. Kanchanbai 2022 Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Teratali, Rajasthan celebrations coinciding with the annual event “The Story of Ram” of Mandala Souht Asian Performing Arts. 10. Mexico 12-Member “Siddhi Baana” 19-28 October, To perform at Santa Lucia group led by Shri Sidi 2022 Festival and Julio Torri Farooqbhai Umarbhai, Gujarat Festival. 11. Malaysia 08-Member Kerala Folk “Nava 28 October-07 To perform at Living Arts Jeevan Kalari Sanghom” led November, Cultural Festival. by Babu Sivadas, Kerala 2022 12. Reunion Island 08-Member Rajasthani Folk 02-13 On the occasion of Namaste (02-07 Nov.) group led by Shri Dilip Khan, November, La Reunion-Deepavali 2022 Rajasthan 2022 South Africa (08-13 Nov.) 13. Ethiopia 08-Member Maharashtrian 25 November- To give cultural (26-29 Nov.) Folk group “Bhairi Bhavani” 08 December, performances. Sudan led by Shri Pradeep Kadamb, 2022 (29 Nov.-02 Maharashtra along with Shri Dec.) Liaison Officer, Shri Anil Israel Kumar from Administration (03-08 Dec.) Section, ICCR14. Malaysia 08-Member Punjab Folk 03-07 For participation in Dance Group “Punjabi December, Gurudwara Event at Sabah & Cultural Society-Ms. Ravinder 2022 Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur & Kaur” led by Ms. Sangeeta Ipoh. Kaushik, Delhi 15. Zimbabwe 07-Member Kalariyapattu 12-17 On the occasion of Namaste Group “Maruthi Marma December, Zimbabwe Festival during Chikilsa & Kalari Sangom” led 2022 India@75 celebrations. by Shri T Ajith Kumar, Kerala 16. Iraq 08-Member VB Maharashtra 24-January – On the occasion of Republic (24 Jan.-02 Folk Group “Amey Patil 02 February, Day Celebrations 2023. Feb.) Dance Group” led by Ms. 2023 Kiran Sawant, Maharashtra 17. Saudi Arabia 08-Member VB “Om Vinayak 24-29 January, Republic Day Celebration, Crew” Group led by Shri 2023 2023. Yogesh Kushwaha, Uttar Pradesh 18. Estonia 08-Member Rajasthani Folk 24 January-02 Republic Day Celebration, (24-30 Jan.) Group “Panihari Lok Sangeet” February, 2023 2023 led by Manga Khan, Rajasthan Lithuania (30 Jan.-02 Feb. 19. Poland 08-Rajasthani Group led by 24-30 January, Republic Day Celebration, (25-30 Jan.) Ms. Shamla Kalbelia Sapera, 2023 2023 Rajasthan 20. Democratic 08-Member Gujarati Folk 25 January-04 Republic Day Celebration, Republic of Dance Group led by Mr. February, 2023 2023 Congo, Kushal Dixit, Gujarat. Republic of Congo and Gabon (25 Jan.- 01Feb.) Sudan (02-04 Feb.) 21. Fiji 12-19 On the occasion of 12th i. 08-Member Punjab February, 2023 World Hindi Conference. Folk Group “Bagga Lok Nach Academy” led by Shri JarnailSingh Bagga, Punjab ii. 08-Member Uttar Pradesh Folk “Geetanjali International Folk Tang” led by Ms. Geetanjali Sharma, Uttar Pradesh 22. Timor Leste 08-Member Goa Folk Group 15-19 To give cultural “Mando Mogi Margao” led by February, 2023 performances Pervis Gomes, Goa 23. Netherlands 07-Member Bhojpuri Group 25 February – 150 years of Immigration of led by Ms. Usha Gupta, Uttar 01 March, Indians to Suriname Pradesh 2023 24. UK (London) 12-Travel Grants to Sri 04-05 March, Performance & Lecture- Idagunji Mahaganapati 2023 Demonstration on the Yakshagana Mandali - occasion of Bhartiya Vidya Keremane Shivanand Hegde Bhavan, London’s Golden Group, (Karnataka) Jubilee Celebrations. 25. Chile 08-Member Punjab Folk group 31 March-06 To participate in WOMAD led by Ms. Shelly Sharma., April, 2023 International Festival 2023 Punjab coinciding with Special AKAM Week Celebrations.2023-24: Sl. No Country Artist / Group Dates Occasion / Purpose 1. Hungary 6 -member Shadow 19-23 April, 02nd Karakulit International Puppetry group led by Mr. 2023 Shadow Theatre festival in Ramachandran PKK Kutty, Hungary Kerala 2. Malaysia 08 member Shri Patel Raas 1-6 June 2023 To give cultural Mandali group led by performances on the Mahendra Karsanbhai Andani occasion of PIO event (Gujarat) 3. Kenya 08 members Sidi Dhamaal Sidi 10-18 June To celebrate the Iconic Goma – Saiyad Akbarmiya 2023 AKAM Week Gulamali Kadari troupe. Gujarat 4. Turkmenistan 08 members “Gandharba Kala 11-17 June To perform at the Kendra” led by Ms Dreamly 2023 International Dance & Gogoi Assam Folklore Festival "Avaza- Azerbaijan 17-22 June 2023' Turkmenistan 2023 For Cultural performances 5. Jamaica 08 member Tapasaya A Centre 20-30 June Performance for Performing Arts led by Shri 2023 M.S. Singh Manipur 6. Croatia 08 member “Rajasthani 19-23 July Zagreb International Panihari Lok Sangeet” led by 2023 Folklore Festival Italy Roshan Khan Rajasthan 23-28 July Cultural performances 2023 7. Thailand 08 member contemporary 29 July to 4th To perform in the Candle dance troupe “Baruipara August 2023 Festival Nrityalok” led by Sutapa Awon Pradhan 8. Hanoi, 06 members Tetseo Sisters 10-16 August Independence Day Vietnam from Nagaland 2023 celebrations 9. Bangladesh 08 member Rajasthani group 29 August – 7 To perform in Artist Murtaja Jaisalmer Beat led by Rais September Bashir Cultural Festival in Khan, Rajasthan 2023 Chattagram 10. Italy 08-member Senhri Folk and 8-13 To perform North East India Culture Troupe from September, at Milan, Italy Mizoram State Government. 2023 11. Russia 15 member group SurajLal 25 September- To perform in FoI in Russia Party Rajasthani group, 07 October Rajasthan 2023 12. Bangladesh 4-member Sikandar Khan 26 Sep-15 To perform in Bangladesh Langa group October, 2023 13. Mexico 08 member Purulia Chhau 29th Sept – 12 For performance at Santa Dance Academy-Paresh October 2023 Lucia event Prasad Parit, Jharkhand 14. Indonesia 08-member Nithya Chaithanya 12-17 October, To perform in Intangible Kalari led by Murugan Pillai 2023 Cultural Heritage Festivalat Payakumbuh City in West Sumatra Province 15. Malaysia 08 member Shashadhar 18-26 October To perform at the Living Acharya led Seraikella 2023 Arts Cultural Festival Chhau group, Jharkand 16. Germany 08 member Rajasthani group 8-19 DIG Chain Tour led by Edu Khan Langa November 2023 17. Peru 08-member Kalarippayattu 16-21 To perform on the occasion Group Travancore School of November, of 60th Anniversary of Kalarippayattu led by 2023 Celebration of India – Peru Radhakrishnan G. Diplomatic Relation. 18. Botswana 8-member Gujarati Folk Dance 04-09 To perform on the occasion group – Niyati Sanskrutik December, of Intangible Cultural Parivar led by Harendu 2023 Heritage (ICH) in Kasane Satendraparasad Dave 19. USA 8 member bhojpuri group led 23-30 Cultural Performances by Rakesh Chandra Srivastava December, 2023 20. Vietnam 8-member Punjabi Folk group 15-26 January, Republic Day Celebrations led by Hardeep Singh 2024 21. New Zealand 08 member Rajasthani group 25 January -01 Cultural Performance led by Mehboob Khan Langa February 2024 22. Jagreb, Croatia 8 member Punjabi Folk Group 9-15 February, International Rijeka "Asian Punjabi Folk Dance 2024 Carnival 2024 Club" led by Ashwani Kumar 23. Egypt 8 members Chhau Dance 15-23 Cultural performance group led by Sambhu Nath February, 2024 Karmakar 24. Dhaka 20 member group Directorate February, 2024 Cultural performances of Art & Culture, Govt. of during setting up of U Tirot Meghalaya Traditional Dance Singh Memorial at IGCC and Music Group 25. Turkey 8 member Bihu Group led by March, 2024 Cultural performance Neela Kontha Dutta 26. Guyana, T&T 08-Members Bhojpuri group 24 March, Cultural performances on and Suriname led by Shri Bhola Pandey 2024 occasion of Fagua (Holi) 27. Indonesia & Braj ki Holi - Pratibha Kala 20-31 March, Cultural performances on Vietnam Kendra led by Pratibha Tiwari 2024 occasion of Holi (Sharma)2024-25: Sl. No. Country Artist/ Group Dates Occasion/ Purpose Norway 08 Member Hindi Cinema 3-6 May, 2024 To perfrom in 3rd Oslo Dance & Music group “Sugar Colour Festival 1. And Spice” led by Monica Narula 2. Fiji 05-Members Bhojpuri group 12-19 To perform in Girmit Day led by Vandana Shukla May,2024 celebration Russia 08 Member folk music group 14-16 June, To perform at Dobrovision, 3. Dohar led by Rajib Das 2024 International Folk Song Festival Zambia 08- members Gujarati Folk 14-20 June 60th year of Independence 4. Group “Nrityavali” led by 2024 of the Republic of Zambia Tanzania Bharatsinh Karsanbhai 20-23 June Bariya 2024 Slovakia 08 Member Rajasthani Folk 14th June - 2nd 64th Myjava International 5. group “Marwar Folk Group” July folklore festival led by Bhawani Singh Panwar Azerbaijan 07-member Punjabi Folk 4-7 July, 2024 To perform in Silk Road 6. Dance Group led by "Rattan International Music Festival Lal Shugal & Party Jordan 08 Member Assamese folk 29 July- 02 To perform at 38th edition 7. dance group Hemanga Bikash August, 2024 of the Jerash Festival for Das Culture and Arts 8. Indonesia 08 Member Manipuri Group 07-28 August To perform at Samosir led by Basanta Singh 2024 Music International 2024 Sri Lanka 08 Member Folk group Ranjit 13-17 Independence Day/ Bharat 9. Gogoi AUGUST, Week 2024 Canberra 08 Member Punjab Cultural 12-19th To participate in mini India 10. (Australia) Soceity Regd. folk music August, 2024 festival group led by Ravinder Singh Japan 08 members of the Purulia 17-30 Indian Festival “Namaste 11. Chhau Group led by Shri September, India” Bhagaban Das Kumar 2024 Kazakhstan 08 Member Jugni Cultural and 07-14 To perform in Festival of 12. Youth led by Davinder Singh September, Arts of the SCO Member 2024 States Kazakhstan 08 Member Folk Arts 07-14 To perform in Festival of 13. Academy led by Shri Raghav September, Arts of the SCO Member Raj Bhatt 2024 StatesThailand 08 members Rajasthani Folk 13-17 Diwali Celebration: India group Jivandas Teratali September, (Mini India Diwali Festival): Group led by Jivandas 2024 is an annual event hosted by all the Indian Associations under the patronage of the 14. Embassy of India. This event has the maximum foot fall of 5000 Thais and Indians. This is a great example of people to people contact and Indo-Thai Cooperation and Friendship. South Africa 8 Member Gujarati Folk Group 5th October, Ramayana troupe 15. led by Chetan Pravinchandra 2024 Dave 16. Georgia 08-member Gujarati Folk 15-19 October, The famous Shota Rustaveli Group led by Shri Harendu 2024 theatre in Georgia had Dave shown their interest in showcasing Ramayana. The request was made during the visit of MOS (ML) to Georgia in October 2022. Mission forwarded the same to ICCR for consideration, however, ICCR's response is still awaited. Since the theme for 2024-25 will be Connecting the world through Ramayana, Mission recommends sending a theatre group from India to Georgia. 17. Japan , 8-member Rajasthani Folk 11-October, to India Mela Vietnam and Group “Ajmaru Kala Mandal” 30 October Tokyo Thailand led by Ms. Karuna Verma 2024 18. Australia 8-Member Rajasthani Folk 25-29 October, Mission intends to host group led by Rashid Khan 2024 theatre group who would Langa perform play on Ramayana theme during Dueeshra/Diwali festival month 19. Indonesia 08 Member Chhau Dance 14-17 International Mask Festival group Shri Gambhir Chandra November (IMF) Mahto 2024 20. HCoI-Victoria- 09-member Punjabi Folk 24-27 The Mission proposes to Mahe- Group "Punjabi Lok Rang Jan,2025. invite a 8-member cultural Seychelles Cultural Club-Group" led dance troupe for theby Shri Sandeep Kr. Kheeva Republic Day celebrations in 2025. 21. South Africa 12-member Punjabi Folk 24-27 January, India's Republic Day Group "Indian Traditional 2025 celebration in 2025 Performing Art & Craft Centre" led by Naresh Bala 22. Dominican 08-member Punjabi Folk 24-31 January, India's Republic Day Republic group "Preeti & Party" led 2025 celebration in 2025 by Ms. Preeti 23. Qatar 05 members of Manipuri 25-29 January, India's Republic Day Folk Group led by Ms 2025 celebration in 2025 Khumanthem Narmada Devi 24. Nepal 12 Member Cultural & Folk 25-30 January, India's Republic Day Dance group led by Ilamdin 2025 celebration in 2025 25. Nepal 10 Member Mayurbhanj 20-28 ITEC Day celebration in Chhau Group “Yagna” led by March,2025 Nepal from 20-28 March Kuleshwar Thakur 2025 26. Port of Spain 10 Member Rajasthani Dance 15-21 Cultural Performance Georgetown group led by Ms. Rajkumari March,2025