The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) recently announced the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)’s trial run, a significant initiative to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1987 under the Ministry of Culture as an autonomous institution, IGNCA specializes in academic research and dissemination in arts. As part of the NMCM, it is set to embark on a cultural mapping trial run in 75 villages starting October 2021, targeting completion in 5,000 villages by the end of financial year 2021-2022.
Understanding the National Mission on Cultural Mapping
Approved by the Ministry of Culture in 2017, the NMCM aims to construct a comprehensive database of artists, art forms, and other resources from organizations under the Ministry. The mission is rooted in preserving the threads of India’s diverse Art and Cultural Heritage and turning the vast and widespread cultural canvas of India into an objective cultural mapping. It strives to foster an environment of “Cultural Vibrancy” across the nation by unifying all cultural activities to yield better results.
This process involves data mapping, demography building, formalizing processes, and consolidating all cultural activities under one umbrella. The project, starting in 2017, spans five years and focuses on creating a database for folk arts and mapping the heritage of villages.
The Role of Volunteers and Students in the NMCM
In carrying out the NMCM, volunteers from the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and the National Service Scheme will play a vital role. Additionally, students of sociology and social work will be deputized to collect necessary data from villages. Through this, the mission aims to tap into the rich diversity of Indian cultural expressions that pervade everyday life in these villages.
Other Noteworthy Schemes Related to Art and Culture
The NMCM is one among many initiatives that aim to promote and preserve India’s cultural heritage. Several other schemes also contribute to this goal, including:
– Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana: An initiative to develop Indian culture and art.
– Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture: A financial aid program for promoting art and culture.
– Scheme of Financial Assistance for Creation of Cultural Infrastructure: A scheme that provides financial aid for creating cultural infrastructure.
– Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage: A program aimed at protecting intangible aspects of India’s cultural heritage.
– Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: An initiative designed to showcase the unity in diversity of our nation and to promote the spirit of national integration through deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories.
With these schemes and initiatives in place, India continues its journey toward preserving its rich cultural heritage while fostering an environment that nurtures artistic endeavors and cultural vibrancy across the nation. As India moves forward, the role of such schemes becomes increasingly necessary in maintaining the vibrancy and diversity of Indian culture.
