Parliament Question: Sponsoring cultural troupes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 145 ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 SPONSORING CULTURAL TROUPES *145. SHRI SUBHASISH KHUNTIA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details of requests received from various organisations for sponsoring cultural troupes through the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC); (b) the number and type of cultural troupes sponsored by EZCC, State-wise; and (c) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised for this purpose? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) IN RESPECT OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 145 FOR REPLY ON 12.02.2026 REGARDING SPONSORING CULTURAL TROUPES ASKED BY SHRI SUBHASISH KHUNTIA (a) Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), established in 1985 and functioning as a Society registered under the West Bengal Societies’ Registration Act, 1961 with its headquarters at Kolkata, is one of the seven Zonal Cultural Centres established in the country as an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture. The main objectives of EZCC are cultural integration & preservation, promotion and dissemination of the folk/ traditional arts of the Zone. Its member States are Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. EZCC organizes various cultural activities/ programmes/ festivals in its member States on regular basis for which annual grant-in-aid is provided to them. Number of requests received from various organisations for sponsoring cultural troupes during 2024-25 through EZCC are as under: Sl. State/ UT Requests received Requests accepted No. during 2024-25 during 2024-25 i. Assam 10 09 ii. Bihar 14 12 iii. Jharkhand 15 10 iv. Odisha 220 190 v. Sikkim 05 03 vi. Manipur 03 01 vii. Tripura 07 05 viii. West Bengal 200 184 ix. UT of Andaman & 04 02 Nicobar Islands Total 478 416 EZCC has a Programme Committee which decides the programmes to be conducted in the member states. It consists of the Culture Secretaries of the member states apart from other members representing the Government of India. The broad selection criteria are as follows:  Demand of a particular art form from the member states/organizations  Availability of the artists during the time  Nature of the program  VIP recommendations  Concerned State Government’s recommendations  Preference is given to vanishing and endangered art forms.  A checklist is maintained so that same artists are not repeatedly deputed. (b) The State-wise details of number and type of cultural troupes sponsored by EZCC during the year 2024-25 are as under: Sl. State/ UT Number Number of Name of art forms No. cultural artists troupes sponsored sponsored i. Assam 38 460 Bihu, Kamrupia Dhulia, Deodhani Nritya, Golparia folk songs, Ojhapali, DeodhaniNritya, Tokari & Dehebichar Geet, Domahi Kinkang of Karbi Tribe ii. Bihar 234 2812 Gatha Gayan, Bhojpuri Sanskar Geet (Folk Dance & Song), Jhijhia Nritya (Folk Dance & Song), Jharni Nritya (Folk Dance & Song), Gatha Gayan (Hari Katha - Folk Dance & Song), Karma (Folk Dance & Song), Maithili (Folk Dance & Song), Jat Jatin (Folk Dance & Song), Bidesiya Geet (Folk Dance & Song), Jhumri (Folk Dance & Song), Lok Geet (Folk Dance & Song), Sama Chakewa (Folk Dance & Song), Nardi Gaan (Folk Dance & Song), Reshma Churanmal (Folk Story, Dance & Song), Bidesiya Gayan (Folk Song), Baghula Bihari (Folk Song), Devi Manon Gayan (Folk Song), Baghula Bihari (Nritya Natika - Folk Theatre), Badhaiyan Nritya (Folk Dance & Song) and Sohaar Gaan (Folk Dance & Song) iii. Jharkhand 127 1530 Paika (Folk Dance), Kiho (Folk Dance), Seraikella Chhau (Folk Dance & Song), Rinjha (Folk Dance & Song), Karam Nritya (Folk Dance & Song), Faghwa (Folk Dance & Song), Korba Dang (Folk Dance & Song), Turi Dang (Folk Dance & Song), Karsa Dang (Folk Dance & Song), Lok Gatha (Folk Dance & Song), Domkach (Folk Dance & Song) and Jat Jatin (Folk Dance & Song) iv. Odisha 169 1030 Ranapa Dance, Sambalpuri (Folk Song & Dance), Dhap (Folk Song & Dance), Dalkhai (Folk Song & Dance), Rasarkeli (Folk Song & Dance), Chutku Chuta (Folk Song & Dance), Ghubkudu (Folk Song & Dance), Ghumura (Folk Dance & Song), Bajasal (Folk Dance & Song), Banabadi (Folk Dance & Song), Chaiti Ghoda Nachha (Folk Dance & Song), Danda Nata (Folk Dance & Song), Paika Akhada (Folk Dance & Song) and Goutipua Dance (Folk Dance & Song) v. Sikkim 15 180 Naumati Baza, Newar Guti, Balan Folk Theatre, Mangar Dance, Maruni, Ghantu, Singhi Chham, Yak Chham and Tamang Selo vi. Manipur 22 269 Shumang Leela, Manipuri Rass Leela, Tang Ta, Maibi Dance, Traditional Dance Costume Making vii. Tripura 11 143 Biju Dance, Sangrai Mug, Hozagiri,Mamita, Masak Sulmani Jadukalicha, Chongpreng (Traditional Musical Instrument) viii. West Bengal 445 5340 Alkap Gaan, Bonbibir Palagaan (Jatra), Bhatiali Gaan (Folk Song), Majhi Mallar Gaan (Folk Song), Dakhsmin Rayer Gaan (Folk Song), Dang (Folk Dance & Song), Baha (Folk Dance & Song), Lagade (Folk Dance & Song), Sohrai (Folk Dance & Song), Chadar Bandhni (Folk Dance & Song), Danshai (Folk Dance & Song), Mahali Dances (Folk Dance & Song), Gambhira, Lahankari, Natua, Bagpa Nritya, Alkap Drama and Tukka Gaan ix. UT of 43 522 Nicobarese Dance, Dances of the Great, Andaman & Andamanese and Stick Dance (Martial Nicobar arts) Islands (c) An amount of Rs. 1145.48 lakh was released to EZCC during the year 2024–25, which has been duly utilised by them. *****