CHAPTER I CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The main institutions and programmes in this field followed by the Department of Culture are:
(1) Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi and other institutions engaged in literacy and cultural activities;
(2) Propagation of culture including financial assistance for performing arts and cultural organisations;
(3) Centenary celebrations;
(4) Gazetteer work; and
(5) Cultural agreements, cultural exchange programmes. in-coming and out-going cultural delegations.
A. THE AKADEMIS AND OTHER CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS
Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi The following programmes were organised towards the fulfilment of the Akademi's aims and objectives :
(1) A two day Seminar on "Evaluation of Contemporary literature and a Search for Common Indo-Western Critical Principles" on 26th and 27th April, 1977, at Bangalore.
(2) A national Seminar on "Modern Indian Fiction and New Morality" on 27th and 28th August, 1977 at New Delhi, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Social Welfare and Culture.
(3) A National Seminar on "Contemporary Indian Poetry : A Search for Spiritual Values" on 10th and 11th September, 1977, at Trivandrum, to coincide with the centenary celebrations organised by the Mahakavi Ullur Centenary Celebrations Committee.
(4) A two-day Regional Seminar on 22nd and 23rd Octo- ber, 1977, at Baroda to mark the Bi-Centenary of the birth of the eminent Gujarati Poet Dayaram.
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(5) A Regional Seminar on the problems of Translation on 30th December, 1977 at Jorhat.
Dr. R.S. Kelkar, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi attended the 51st Annual Conference of the Union Academique International at Athens from 10th to 18th June, 1977, where on his initiative, the General Assembly of the UAI approved the project Inventaire raisonne des Etudes du Ramayana with an estimated expenditure of eighty thousand dollars spread over ten years.
The Akademi brought out 54 publications in various languages recognised by it.
The Akademi announced its Annual Awards in 19 languages this year. The winners of the awards are :
1. Assamese Bakul Banar Kavita by Anand Chandra Barua
(Poetry)
2. Bengali Babarer Prarthana by Shankha Ghosh
(Poetry)
3. Dogri Main Mele Ra Janun by Kehari Singh
(Poetry) `Madhukar'
4. English Azadi (novel) by Chaman Nahal
5. Gujarati Uparvas Kathatrayi by Raghuvir Chaudhari
(novel)
6. Hindi Chuka Bhi Hun Nahin by Shamsher Bahadur
Main (Poetry) Singh
7. Kannada Tereda Bagilu by K.S. Narasimha-
(Poetry) swamy
8. Konkani Himalayant by Ravindra Kelkar
(travelogue)
9. Maithali Avahatta : Udbhava O by (Late)Rajeshwar Jha
Vikas (Literary
Criticism)
10. Malayalam Agnisakshi (Novel) by Lalithambika Anther
janam
11. Manipuri Aseibagi Nitaiod by A. Minaketan Singh
(poetry)
12. Marathi Dashapadi (Poetry) by A.R. Deshpande
`Anil'
13. Nepali Nepali Upanyas Ka by Indra Bahadur Rai
Adharharu
(Literary Criticism)
14. Oriya Kumbhara Chaka by Kali Chran Pattanaik
(autobiography)
15. Punjabi Kach De Vastar by Sohan Singh Misha
(Poetry)
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16. Rajasthani Bol Bharmali by Satya Prakash Joshi
(Poetry)
17. Sanskrit Buddhavi Jayakasvyam by Shanti Bhikshu
(Poetry) Shastri
18. Tamil Kuruthipunal(Novel) by Indira Parthasarathi
19. Telugu Kundurti Kritulu by Kundurti Anjaneyulu
(Poetry)
Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi Among the important exhibitions organised by the Akademi during the year, mention may be made of the following,
(1) An exhibition of Serigraphs by Vasardy and his friends between 1st to 7th March, 1977 and another exhibition of graphics between 28th March to 4th April, 1977, jointly with the Japanese Embassy.
(2) An exhibition of Indian graphics was sent to Algeria, Tunis, Madrid, Lisbon and Cairo on the request of the Ministry of External Affairs.
(3) A collection of murals and copies of frescoes was inaugurated at Moscow under the Cultural Exchange Programme with that country.
(4) The Fourth Triennale India was inaugurated on 9th February, 1978 by the President of India Shri N. Sanjiva Reddy at the Lalit Kala Galleries. The Fourth Triennale is the biggest so far and dis- played the works of artists drawn from 40 countries with over 1200 exhibits. The International Jury comprising Richard Hunt (USA) Yoshiski Inui (Japan) Philip Rawson (Britain) Satish Gujral and Krishna Reddy (India) awarded the six gold medals each carrying a cash award of Rs. 20,000/-. The awarded are Rolf Lehmann (Switzerland), Mersad Berber (Yugoslavia), Hede Buhl (Federal Republic of Germany), Hong-Seo Kim (Koria), S. Nanda gopal (India) and Kosho Ito (Japan). The jury has also honourably mentioned the contributions of Louise Le Brocquy (Ireland), P.S. Chandra Shekar (India), Asszonyi Tana's (Hungary) and. Le Tut Lvi (Vietnam). The Triennale was on view till March 23, 1978.
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(5) A national Kala Mela from 9th February, 1978 for three weeks.
The Akademi organised a special seminar on 19th and 20th December, 1977 in connection with the Coomarswamy Centenary year.
The Akademi brought out the following publications during the period under report:-
(1) 7000 reprints of the multicolour reproduction of the Kishingarh Radha.
(2) 5000 portfolios of the paintings in Deogarh.
(3) Reproduction of Kalighat Painting on the theme of `Bhisti'.
Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi Significant activities of the Akademi during the period under report are as follows :
The Akademi as usual gave recognition to eminent artists by giving awards and fellowships during the year, 1977-78. The artists selected for these awards and fellowships are :
Awards
Music
Girja Devi Hindustani Vocal
Asad Ali Hindustani Instrumental
(Been)
Spripada Pinakapani Karnatak Vocal
S. Balachandar Karnatak Instrumental
(Veena)
Lakshman Prasad Chaube Havell Sangeet
Dance
Nayana Jhaveri Manipuri
Debaprasad Das Orissi (Guru)
Yamini Krishnamurti Bharat Natyam
C. Sankaran Nair Krishnattam
Theatre
Lakshmi Narain Lal Play-writing (Hindi)
Rajinder Nath Direction
Dipanwita Roy Acting (Bengali)
V. Rarnamurthy Stage Lighting
B. Veerabhadra Nayak Yakshagana.
Fellowship
Hirjhibhai Doctor
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During the period under report, two documentary films one on Folk and Tribal Dance of India and the other on Shadow Theatre (Chhaya Natak) have been Produced. Another film of which shooting has been completed and which is at present oil the editing table is Lai Haraoba : Ritual Dance of, Manipur.
Three issues of Akademi's quarterly journal Sangeet Natak Nos. 41, 42 and 43 were brought out. The fourth issue will be released before the end of the year. Dr. Kapila Vatsayayan's book, second edition of Classical Indian Dance in the Literature and the Arts is in the final stages of printing.
182 discs have, been added to the Disc Library. The Book Library also added 398 new volumes to its acquisitions.
The scope of the Plan scheme relating to Documentation, Research and Archives was extended to bring under-its fold the dissemination of cultural knowledge amongst the public by producing Audio-visual materials like discs, slides-kits photographic albums, monographs etc. The documentation Unit of the Akademi covered the following forms of folk and traditional performing arts which were documented in the shape of 16 mm movie films. recording on audio-tapes and still Photo- graphs : Music and Dance of Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Ankid Nat (Folk theatre) of Assam, Toorup Bhagawtam (folk theatre) of Andhra Pradesh, Kakkirissi Natakam (folk theatre) of Kerala rare form of shadow and marionette theatre originating in Gujarat and Maharashtra and Terukoothu (folk theatre) of Tamil Nadu.
Besides documenting the above forms, the unit remained engaged in preparing two short films, namely Shadow Theatre and Folk and Tribal Dance of India and Lai Haroaba
The, major objective of the Plan Scheme for Research Unit in the Science of Music is to conduct studies in the areas of musical scales and psychological responses to raps. Further research is being continued on tonal characteristics of musical instruments such as the flute,sarangi, nagaswaram, mridangam and tabla, Research is also to continue in the physics, physiology and psychology of music.
The Fellowship sanctioned for Koodiyattam of Kerala in November, 1976 has been extended for a period of one year.
Under the Plan scheme for Promotion and Preservation of Rare Forms of Traditional Performing Arts, assistance was pro-
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vided to the following forms: Dhrupad Music, Koodiyattam of Kerala, Chhau Dance of Seraikella, Bhagavata Mela of Tamil Nadu, Chandiani of Madhya Pradesh, Patua of West Bengal and Pavakoothu of Kerala.
Two new ballets were produced during the period by the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal.
National School of Drama. The objectives of the School are to maintain and develop studies and training in the fields of acting, direction and production of drama, conducting and promoting research and survey in classical, technical and modem drama, fostering culture and academic contacts within India as well as with other countries through exchange of personal and research material.
The School and its Repertory Company was engaged in a large number of productions. During the period under report the School and the Repertory Company gave 22 performances of their various productions. 13 performances were given by the School in which only students of the School were participating. Some of the important productions of the School and the, Repertory Company were `Journey from the Mountain Beyond (Antim Yatra)', `Jaag Utha Hai Raigdh', `Begam Ka Takia, `Andha Yug', `Khamosh Adalat Jari Hai'. `Skand Gupta', The Proposal, `Jashne Sal Girah' and the Party.
The school also invited a number of eminent persons for delivering lectures and for giving demonstrations for the benefit of its students.
School of Buddhist Philosophy, Leh The School of Buddhist Philosophy, Leh, an autonomous organisation fully financed by the Government of India, was established in 1959 with the objective of containing the flow of Lamas to Lhasa for training in Tibetan Buddhism. Its objectives include imparting education in modem and classical Tibetan courses on the monastic pattern and preparing the local youth for adjusting themselves with the modem trends. The School is managed by a board of management comprising scholars of Buddhist Philosophy and Tibetan languages, a representative of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, a representative each of the Lakash Gompa Association, Ladakh Buddhist Association as members with a senior officer of the Department of Culture as chairman.
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Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi The Institute was established in November, 1967, by the Government of India for protecting the cultural life and the lin- guistic traditions of the Tibetan refugees. The institute receives an annual grant of Rs. 6.5 lakh for its over-all activities. It prepares its students for the following courses related to Tibetan Buddhism:
(i) Purva Madhyama
(ii) Uttar Madhyama
(iii) Shastri
(iv) Acharya
(v) Vishisbtacharya
(vi) Vidyavaridhi
At present there are about 250 students on the rolls of the Institute and 20 teachers including the Principal. The Institute has been registered as a society and is affiliated to the Sampuranand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.
Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok The Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok is engaged in research and development of Tibetology, i.e., Chhos. The Institute runs mainly on grants from the Government of Sikkim and the Government of India. Both contribute Rs. 1 lakh each annually for its maintenance. Besides the maintenance grant, the Department of Culture gave a grant of Rs. 1 lakh during 1976-77 for publication of the Tibetan manuscript', "Rinchen Terzod".
Daira-tul-Marrif-il Osmania, Hyderabad The Daira-tul-Marrif-il Osmania, Hyderabad, is an institution engaged in the publication of manuscripts in Arabic and Persian. The Department of Culture has been giving the institution a grant of Rs. 1,57,500/-.
Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute This institute is financed by the Department of Culture for research in history, philosophy, culture, languages and other allied areas of study. It receives an annual grant of Rs. 18000.
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B. PROPAGATION OF CULTURE
Institutions and Organisations Engaged in Literary and Cultural
Activities The Department of Culture, has been assisting some important institutions like the Institute of Traditional Culture, Madras, Asiatic Society, Calcutta, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, Numismatic Society of India, Varanasi, PEN All-India Centre, Bombay, Islamic Culture Board, Hyderabad, and Jallianwala. Bagh Memorial Trust, Amritsar. The working of the institutions like Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Calcutta, Asiatic Society, Calcutta, and Indian Academy of Philosophy, Calcutta was reviewed by the visiting committees and they are being financed according to the reports of the visiting committees
Financial Assistance to Professional Dance-Drama and Theatre
Ensembles The objective of the scheme is to provide help to performing troupes in the country which have been working in the field through purely voluntary efforts over the last 10 to 15 years. 16 dance-drama and theatre groups were in receipt of grants under the scheme during the year.
Building Grants to Voluntary Cultural Organisations Under this scheme, a number of cultural organisations primarily working in the cultural fields of dance, drama, music, fine arts, indology literature, (other than religious institutions), public libraries, museums, municipalities, school and universities were selected for grants for construction purposes and purchase of equipment during the year.
Schemes of Inter-State Exchange of Cultural Troupes The Department of Culture revived this scheme and had it included in the Fifth Five Year Plan. Its implementation started from 1975-76. Its object is to enable people from different parts, of India to know more about the culture of different regions and thereby promote emotional and cultural integration of the country. Under it, selected troupes of performing artists visit States other than their own. During the period under report more than 10 troupes visited other States/Union Territories for performing their programmes.
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Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Promotion of Indian
Languages During the year 1977-78, 28 organisations/individuals were given financial assistance totalling Rs. 3,25,952/ under the scheme. 1400 copies of the books in different languages were purchased for free supply to University libraries/other important libraries in the country. Financial assistance was also granted for running Urdu Typewriting/Shorthand courses and for teaching Kannada and Malayalam in Lucknow. Assistance has also been extended for holding Seminars on the works of renowned authors in the country as a part of their birth centenary celebrations. Besides, there is a provision of Rs. 88,000/- on account of recurring grant-in-aid to Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind, New Delhi for its general maintenance, its libraries and for developing Urdu language and culture.