**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1185, addressed on July 28, 2025, regarding the recognition of Gaudiya Nritya as a classical dance form. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that the Government of India does not confer classical status on any dance form. The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, is responsible for preserving, promoting, and documenting India's diverse performing arts, including Gaudiya Nritya. The response clarifies that the SNA's mandate includes music, dance, drama, and folk and tribal traditions. The document addresses questions regarding the official recognition of Gaudiya Nritya, the reasons for its status, any plans for granting classical status, the responsible authority for granting recognition, and the procedure and criteria for recognizing a dance form as classical.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for culture.
Gaudiya Nritya: A traditional dance form of West Bengal, seeking recognition as a classical dance.
West Bengal: The state in India where Gaudiya Nritya originates.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Culture and Tourism answering the parliamentary question.
Sangeet Natak Akademi: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture responsible for preserving and promoting performing arts.
SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: Member of Parliament who raised the question about recognition of Gaudiya Nritya.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1185
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
RECOGNITION OF GAUDIYA NRITYA AS CLASSICAL DANCE
1185. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether Gaudiya Nritya, a traditional dance form of West Bengal, has been officially
recognized as an Indian classical dance by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has any plans to grant it classical status and if so, the details
thereof;
(e) the details of the department or authority within the Government responsible for granting
official recognition to dance forms as classical dances; and
(f) the procedure and criteria for a dance form to be recognized as a classical dance, including
the application process and evaluation parameters thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (f) The Government of India does not confer classical status on any dance form.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture,
preserves, promotes and documents India’s diverse performing arts, including music,
dance, drama, and folk & tribal traditions including Gaudiya Nritya.
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