CULTURAL MAPPING INITIATIVE: ART & CULTURE

CULTURAL MAPPING INITIATIVE: ART & CULTURE

News: The government has taken an initiative to provide a comprehensive overview of the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages across India.

 

What’s in the news?

Cultural Mapping Initiative

  • The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is a significant initiative by the Government of India, aiming to document and preserve the rich cultural heritage of rural communities across the country.

Objectives

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

  • Awareness and Preservation: The project aims to create awareness about the strong connection between cultural heritage and development. It seeks to preserve the cultural identity of rural communities and safeguard intangible cultural assets.
  • Sustainability and Revitalization: Focus on sustainable measures to revitalize cultural practices through community-based initiatives.

Comprehensive Cultural Database

  • National Registers of Artists and Art Practices: Creation of a national registry to document various artists and their practices across India.
  • Web Portal and Mobile App: Development of a digital platform (National Cultural Work Place) to serve as a comprehensive resource for cultural data.

Implementation and Coverage

Mapping of Villages

  • Extensive Coverage: The initiative covers 6.5 lakh villages, including detailed documentation of their cultural, geographical, and demographic profiles. For instance, out of the 45,561 villages in Bihar, 36,127 have already been covered by the project. In the Khagaria district, 262 out of 303 villages have been mapped​.

Digital Accessibility

  • Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Portal:The cultural data collected is accessible through the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) web portal. This portal provides essential information about each village, including its traditional dresses, arts, crafts, festivals, and more​​.

 

Benefits

Cultural Awareness and Identity

  • Promotion of Cultural Heritage:The project promotes cultural heritage, fostering a sense of identity and pride among rural communities.
  • Economic and Social Development:By highlighting the cultural assets, the initiative aims to drive economic growth and social harmony in rural areas.

Resource for Government and Organizations

  • Policy Making and Implementation:The comprehensive cultural database serves as a valuable resource for government ministries and organizations to protect and promote cultural identities effectively.
  • Transparency and Efficiency:The digital platform ensures transparency and efficiency in managing cultural grants and initiatives​​.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping

  • The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture.
  • It aims to document and preserve the rich cultural heritage of India by creating a comprehensive database of cultural assets across the country.

Objectives

  • Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage

·         Safeguard intangible cultural assets such as oral traditions, arts, and crafts.

·         Ensure sustainability and revitalization of cultural practices through community-based initiatives.

  • Creation of a Cultural Inventory

·         Develop a consolidated database of cultural assets for planning and development.

·         Map cultural assets including art forms, practices, and heritage properties.

  • Economic and Social Development

·         Utilize cultural mapping for sustainable economic development and social harmony.

·         Promote artistic development in rural communities.

  • Transparency and Effectiveness in Grant Schemes

·         Streamline financial grant schemes for artists and cultural organizations.

·         Ensure transparency and value for money in cultural funding.

 

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2034902#:~:text=The%20Government%20of%20India%20under,the%20Project%20are%20as%20under%3A&text=To%20create%20awareness%20about%20the,with%20development%20and%20cultural%20identity.