New Delhi, 1 Dec: The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday replied to a question put up by Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat regarding preservation of the cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. The Union Minister in his reply said that, currently, 43 centrally protected monuments and sites in U’khand are under the care and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Their conservation is undertaken as per requirement and availability of resources, in accordance with the National Policy for Conservation. He added that all sites are presently in a good state of preservation.
The Minister in his reply also highlighted that the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is playing an active role in promoting folk, traditional and tribal performing arts of Uttarakhand. In the recent past, the Akademi organised several programmes in the state, including:
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Suyalbari, Nainital on 23 and 24 August 2024.
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Dehradun on 14 and 15 November 2024.
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Tapowan, Tehri Garhwal on 14 and 15 November 2024.
• Kala Dharohar, a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Chamoli on 11 and 12 December 2024.
• Kala Pravah- The Akademi organised two-day festivals of music and dance on 6 July 2024 at the Kasar Devi Temple at Almora.
• Kala Pravaah, Mandir Utsav Series, in June 2023 at Kasar Devi Mandir in Almora.
The Ministry stated that to protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art and culture throughout the country, the Government of India has also set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). These ZCCs organise various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States. As Uttarakhand is a member State of both North Zone Cultural Centre (NCZC), Patiala and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj, cultural festivals and art promotion in Uttarakhand are organised by these ZCCs.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture organises Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs), where a large number of folk and tribal artists, including local artists from all over India, participate in showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage.
Shekhawat further informed the house that the Sangeet Natak Akademi has started four training programmes of performing art forms of Uttarakhand under the scheme “Kala Deeksha” (Guru Shishya Parampara). These includes Folk Songs of Garhwal region (Padavani and Manglik Geet) under Guru Ganga Devi Rana, Chamoli, Mashak Been under Guru Harish Lal, Chamoli, Hudka under Guru Loveraj Ram, Munsiyari, and Folk Songs of Kumaon region (Neoli, Chhapeli, Bhagnaul and Sanskar Geet) under Pushpa Fartyal, Almora.
Under the Financial Assistance to Cultural Institutions scheme of SNA, in 2021-22 five organisations have received assistance of Rs 2 lakhs, in 2022-23 eight organisations have received assistance of Rs 3.30 lakhs and, in 2023-24, five organisations have received an assistance of Rs 2.20 lakhs.
The Minister emphasised that, through various programmes and training initiatives, significant positive impact is being observed in the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage.
