With the aim of “protecting, preserving and promoting” Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage, the government of Yogi Adityanath is developing the state’s first cultural policy, which will be in sync with a similar policy being developed by Narendra Modi’s regime at the Centre.
The policy will aim to promote the cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh. (FILE PHOTO)
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Uttar Pradesh appointed a five-member commission to develop the state’s cultural policy. The project was in its final stages when the government realized that similar policies were being formulated at the national level.
“Now we want to synchronize the two elements so that the content of the UP’s policy is similar to that of the Center,” said Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jaiveer Singh.
“Iss sanskriti neeti kaam pradesh ki vibhinn kalaein, boliyan, bhashayein, rahan sahan, jivan chartira ityadi ko aur in sabse se hamari sanatani sankriti ko jodtey hue, kaise inka prachar, samvardhan ityadi ho, ye kaam hoga (politics would be for protection, promotion and preserving the language, dialects, art and ancient culture, including the “sanatani” culture,” said the minister.
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He said the policy of “two-engine rule” was in its final stages.
“We will study the Centre’s draft policy before publishing ours in a few months,” the minister said.
“We are also in the process of creating a unified database of artists and craftsmen from across the state, such cultural mapping (is) inspired by similar efforts at the national level by the Modi government,” the minister said.
The policy also includes creating panchayat-level cultural centers and encouraging groups, individuals, NGOs and professionals to join in the task of preserving them. The idea is to use this policy to present UP as “the perfect global cultural destination”.
The government also decided to seek suggestions on the same subject.
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As part of this effort, the government would create an online digital directory of various cultural groups who perform Ram Leela (a theatrical depiction of the life and times of Lord Rama) or local folk singers.
The government is also in the process of setting up a portal that would feed details of such “mandalis (bands)” that play Ram Leela or folk or bhajan singers (religious songs).
Instructions were issued that at least one ‘mandala bhajan’ be identified in each village and its details posted on the portal.
“We will support local groups like this who are doing a great job carrying on the legacy,” he added.
The government plans to revive the folk arts in the state by promoting rural artists and supplying rural secretariats with music kits consisting of drums, cymbals and harmonicas.
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“A key part of the policy would be to ensure how to link arts and culture to livelihoods and revive ancient arts and culture,” said the minister.