**Executive Summary**
This document, dated December 18, 2023, from the Ministry of Culture, outlines the preservation and promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in India. It details the role of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) in maintaining the National Inventory of ICH, training artists, and organizing youth-oriented programs. The document notes that a nomination dossier for Chhath Mahaparv has been submitted to UNESCO for the 2026–27 cycle.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):**
* Maintained centrally by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) under the Ministry of Culture.
* Includes eligible ICH elements received from States and Union Territories.
* Updated regularly based on documentation submitted by States/UTs and stakeholders.
* **Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme:**
* Implemented by Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) of the Ministry of Culture.
* Trains disciples in various art forms, including rare and vanishing ones.
* Monthly remuneration: Guru (Rs. 7,500), Accompanist (Rs. 3,750), Pupils (Rs. 1,500) per month for six months to one year for one art form.
* Gurus are recommended by State Cultural Affairs Departments.
* **Role of Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs):**
* Ensure inter-generational knowledge transfer by creating performance platforms for emerging artists.
* Promote participation of students and youth groups and engage educational institutions and local communities.
* Implement youth-oriented programs, including Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) and inter-state exchange programs.
* Digitally document programs, activities, and performing arts, including recording and documenting endangered folk-art forms.
* **UNESCO Nomination:**
* The Sangeet Natak Akademi prepared the nomination dossier for Chhath Mahaparv.
* Submitted to UNESCO for inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the 2026–27 cycle.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA)
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining and updating the National Inventory of ICH, and preparing the nomination dossier for submission to UNESCO.
* **Action Required:** Continue to update the National Inventory regularly, and monitor the progress of the UNESCO nomination.
**Stakeholder:** Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, organizing youth-oriented programs, and documenting cultural heritage.
* **Action Required:** Continue to conduct training programs for artists, organize cultural events, and document programs and activities digitally.
**Stakeholder:** State Cultural Affairs Departments
* **Impact:** Involved in recommending gurus for the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme.
* **Action Required:** Recommend qualified gurus for the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme.
**Stakeholder:** Artists and Disciples
* **Impact:** Artists and disciples receive remuneration for participation in Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training and contribute to the preservation of their art forms.
**Stakeholder:** UNESCO
* **Impact:** UNESCO will review the submitted dossier
* **Action Required:** None mentioned.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The central ministry responsible for preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage.
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA): Maintains the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and prepares nomination dossiers for ICH.
National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH): A central repository of ICH elements from States and Union Territories.
Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs): Institutions implementing youth-oriented programs for preservation of endangered art forms and documenting cultural activities.
Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme: A scheme under the Zonal Cultural Centres to train disciples by veteran artists in rare and vanishing art forms.
Ministry of Culture
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
प्रव तथ: 18 DEC 2025 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
The National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), which includes eligible ICH elements
received from States and Union Territories, is maintained centrally by the Sangeet Natak Akademi
(SNA) under Ministry of Culture. The Inventory is updated on a regular basis based on the requisite
documentation submitted by the States/UTs and other stakeholders including elements pertaining to
marginalised, tribal and indigenous traditions, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines. The
National Inventory of the ICH element is availble at https://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/sections/ICH.
Under the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme of the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) of Ministry of
Culture, the disciples are trained by veteran artists in various art forms including rare and vanishing art
forms.
The monthly remuneration for Guru - Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist - Rs. 3,750/- and Pupils - Rs. 1,500/-
each for a period of six month to maximum 1 year for one art form. The names of the Gurus are
recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.
ZCCs ensure inter-generational transfer of knowledge by creating performance platforms for emerging
artists, promoting participation of students & youth groups, engaging educational institutions and local
communities. These efforts have proven effective in revitalizing endangered arts by increasing youth
engagement, strengthening community pride and generating sustained public interest in traditional
cultural expressions.
The nomination dossier of Chhath Mahaparv has been prepared by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (an
autonomous body under Minsitry of Culture), the nodal agency for matters related to Intangible
Cultural Heritage (ICH), with the active involvement of regional bodies and other stakeholders. The
dossier has been submitted to UNESCO for inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the 2026–27 cycle.
All the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) set up by the Government of India implement a range of youth-
oriented programmes that contribute significantly to the preservation of endangered art forms. These
initiatives include organization of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs), cultural festivals and inter-
state exchange programmes that expose youth to know about diverse traditional practices, workshops,
training camps and craft demonstrations that equip them with hands-on skills in folk dance, music,
theatre and crafts.
The Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) are engaged in digitally documenting their programmes, activities
and performing arts. This includes recording and documenting endangered folk-art forms as well as
printing books, reports and stories related to folklore and oral history.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today*******
M Annadurai
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2205931) आगंतुक पटल : 439
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही