Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage of India

The Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India was launched in 2013-14. Since then it has received encouraging response. The scheme is being implemented through the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Anywhere between 200 and 300 applications are received each year under this scheme. This scheme provides a grant of up to Rs. 10 lakhs to eligible individuals to accomplish their programmes. Cultural organisations also are able to avail Rs. 10 lakhs under the scheme to host cultural events.

During the year 2013-14 234 applications were received of which 75 were found to be eligible and they received the grants under the scheme. In the year 2014-15 228 applications were received and of that 137 were found to be eligible and thus given grant. Last year the applications received were 278 of which 114 were eligible ones and so were provided with the grant.

The Ministry of Culture is giving financial support to Individuals, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Cultural Organisations for promotion of art and culture through some other schemes also. The details of some prominent Schemes are as under:

Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPGS)

Under CFPGS Scheme Financial Assistance is given to 'Not-for-Profit' Organisations, NGOs including Societies, Trusts, Universities and Individuals for holding Conferences, Seminar, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music and undertaking small research projects etc. on any art forms or important cultural matters relating to different aspects of Indian Culture. The quantum of assistance is restricted to 75% of the project cost subject to maximum of Rs. 5 Lakhs per project as recommended by the Expert Committee. The amount utilised in 2015-16 under this scheme was Rs. 1,459 lakhs.

Fellowship Scheme:

200 Junior Fellowships and 200 Senior Fellowships are given every year for cultural research in various fields of culture. Junior Fellows are given an amount of Rs. 10,000/- and Senior Fellows are given an amount of Rs. 20,000/- per month for a period of 2 years.

400 Scholarships are given to Young Artistes for advance training in the field of Indian Classical Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, Folk Arts, etc. An amount of Rs. 5,000/- per month is given to the selected artists for a period of 2 years. The amount utilised under fellowship scheme in 2015-16 is Rs. 1,835 lakhs.

Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research:

The Scheme has been introduced in order to invigorate and revitalise the various institutions under the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and other identified cultural institutions in the country by encouraging scholars and academicians to affiliate themselves with these institutions to work on projects of mutual interest.

Not more than 15 Tagore Fellowships and 25 Tagore Scholarships are selected for award in a year. Tagore fellows are paid honorarium of Rs. 80,000/- per month and Tagore Scholars are paid honorarium of Rs. 50,000/- per month for a period of 2 years. The amount utilised in 2015-16 is Rs. 44.12 lakhs.

Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India:

The scheme aims to reinvigorate and revitalise various institutions, groups, individuals, non-government organisations, researchers and scholars so that they may engage in activities and projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India. In its 3rd year of implementation, an amount of Rs. 240 lakhs were released under the scheme.