New Delhi, 1 December (H.S.): The central government is actively fostering the folk, traditional, and tribal performing arts of Uttarakhand, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat responded to a query from BJP member Trivendra Singh Rawat about preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, affirming that the government has organized numerous programs through the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) across the state.
Shekhawat highlighted that Uttarakhand boasts 43 centrally protected monuments and sites under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which are maintained in good condition per national preservation policies and resource availability. The SNA plays an active role in promoting regional folk, tribal, and traditional arts, having recently conducted workshops on topics like art heritage and Meera Bai at locations including Suyalbari in Nainital, Dehradun, Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal, and Chamoli.
The Akademi also hosted the ‘Kala Pravah’ music and dance festival at Kasaradevi Temple, Almora, earlier this year.The minister further noted the establishment of seven zonal cultural centers nationwide to conserve, promote, and showcase diverse folk and traditional arts.
Uttarakhand’s affiliation with the Northern Zonal Cultural Centre in Patiala and the North Central Zonal Cultural Centre in Prayagraj has enabled multiple cultural festivals and artistic development programs within the state.
Shekhawat elaborated on the Ministry of Culture’s organization of the National Sanskrit Festival, featuring tribal and folk artists from across India, including local performers from Uttarakhand, thus celebrating India’s rich cultural tapestry.Under the SNA’s ‘Kala Diksha’ guru-shishya training initiative, specialized programs have commenced to train performers in four of Uttarakhand’s traditional art forms.
The minister also detailed financial assistance extended through the Akademi’s Cultural Institutions scheme—₹2 lakh granted to five institutions in 2021-22, ₹3.30 lakh to eight institutions in 2022-23, and ₹2.20 lakh to five institutions in 2023-24.Shekhawat concluded by emphasizing the significant positive impact these programs and training initiatives have had on preserving and promoting India’s invaluable cultural heritage.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
