Swasraya Scheme For Parents/Mothers Of Physically Handicapped/Mentally Retarded Persons 2026

This scheme aims to boost Goa's traditional village festival theatre, known as 'Gomantakiya Utsavi Rangabhumi', which has Read More... a rich history of performances during village festivals. Read less

Details

Goa's vibrant cultural landscape includes a unique form of theatre called 'Gomantakiya Utsavi Rangabhumi'. This traditional village festival theatre has a long and illustrious history of showcasing plays during local festivals. Many renowned actors began their careers on these very stages, where over a thousand plays have been performed across Goa. The 'Scheme for Upliftment of Utsavi Rangabhumi of Goa' by the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, seeks to revive and nurture this beloved art form.

What Is This Scheme?

This initiative is designed to provide financial and motivational support to Goan village festival theatre groups. The goal is to help these groups bring back the glory of their traditional performances, including musical plays (sangeet natak) and prose plays, which are integral to village deity festivals.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is specifically for traditional village festive theatre groups and amateur theatre groups in Goa that have a history of performing during village deity festivals. These groups must have a tradition of performing plays for at least 25 years and should involve local artists from their own village.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The 'Utsavi Rangabhumi' scheme is crucial for preserving Goa's rich cultural heritage. It aims to encourage local participation, foster unity through theatre, and support new talent in writing, directing, and stagecraft. By revitalizing this traditional theatre, the scheme helps maintain a vital connection to Goa's cultural roots.

Objective

This scheme aims to boost Goa's traditional village festival theatre, known as 'Gomantakiya Utsavi Rangabhumi', which has a rich history of performances during village festivals.

Benefits

Under the scheme, a one-time financial assistance of ₹35,000/- will be provided to women of BPL families to find self-employment, whose husbands have died/abandoned, and who have to take care of their sons/children with severe physical and mental challenges.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be traditional village festive theatre groups or amateur theatre groups.
The group should have a history of performing plays during village deity festivals, often through devasthans or village institutions.
The tradition of performing plays must be at least 25 years old.
All roles, including female roles, must be performed by artists from the same village. Professional artists are not permitted.
The play must be performed by the traditional theatre group from the same village, as certified by the devasthan or village committee.
The group must have a bank account in a Nationalized or Scheduled Bank to receive payments.

How To Apply

Interested traditional village theatre groups can apply for financial assistance by submitting the required documents. For specific application details and submission procedures, please refer to the official notifications or contact the Directorate of Art and Culture.

Contact for Inquiries:
ACO I
Directorate of Art & Culture
Panaji, Goa
Phone: 0832-2404640
Email: [email protected]

Documents Required

Registration certificate (if registered).
Detailed estimate of the play production's expenses.
An affidavit.
Details about the playwright and artists involved in the play production.
Utilization Certificate (original or copy) if grants were received in previous years.
Bank account details (from a Nationalized or Scheduled bank only).
Name of the play (Drama) and a copy of the script.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Devasthan.

FAQ’s

Can professional artists participate in plays funded by this scheme?

No, the scheme strictly prohibits the participation of professional artists. All roles, including those traditionally played by women, must be performed by members from the same village.

What kind of theatre performances does this scheme support?

The scheme is designed to support traditional Goan village festival theatre, specifically covering both musical plays (sangeet natak) and prose plays that are part of the festive traditions.

How much financial aid can a group get for producing a musical play (sangeet play)?

For sangeet plays, the maximum financial assistance is ₹ 30,000 or 75% of the actual production cost, whichever is lower. The selection committee has the final say on the exact amount.

What is the timeline for getting application approvals and reimbursements?

You should expect information about your application's approval within 45 days from the submission date. Reimbursement is typically processed within 95 days of receiving your application.

Is there a limit to how many plays a theatre group can apply for funding for each year?

Yes, a theatre group can only receive financial assistance for one play per year, whether it's a prose play or a sangeet play.

What role do village institutions like Devasthans play in the application process?

The Devasthan or the village committee plays a key role in certifying that the theatre group's performance adheres to local traditions. You will need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from them.

Can a writer receive an extra amount for creating a new script?

Yes, if the selection committee finds the script of a new play to be of high quality, the writer might be awarded an amount of ₹ 3,000.

What are the criteria for a group to be considered eligible for this scheme?

To be eligible, the group must be a traditional village theatre group with at least 25 years of performing history. They must perform plays as per local traditions, with all roles played by village members, and have a bank account in a nationalized or scheduled bank.

Does the scheme encourage the involvement of young performers?

Absolutely. The scheme specifically aims to encourage the participation of local female artists and child artists in these traditional plays.

What documents are essential when applying for this scheme?

Key documents include proof of registration (if any), an estimated expenditure for the play, an affidavit, details of the production, bank account details, the play's script, and an NOC from the Devasthan.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about the scheme?

For further information, you can contact the ACO I at the Directorate of Art & Culture in Panaji, Goa, by calling 0832-2404640 or emailing [email protected].