ART AND CULTURE
1.1 To say that education is fundamental to economic development is a truism. To draw attention to the fact that development without Culture is a machine without direction of a human being without a soul, is to state the obvious.
1.2 The planning of culture presents unsurmountable problems, its very definition eludes many, it can be a narrow definition of only arts and archaeology or it can be a definition which is totally all comprehend- ing and all permeating. Planning in this sector has therefore to keep in view the vast canvas as also the limited nature of planning. The Steering Group therefore repeatedly drew attention cultural fabric of the country, both in time and space. The incredible cultural continui- ty has survived through 5,000 years of history marked by period of, unrest, invasions, wars, political subjugation, economic under devel- opment along with a value-system which has conditioned guided and governed a whole people, today numbering 684 million, spread over an area of 3,276 141 square kilometers comprising a bewildering multi- plicity of races, castes, ethnic groups, sub-cultures and religious faiths.
1.3 In the light of this complexity, the Steering Group feels that the planning for education and culture has to be unambiguous in its goals and cannot be ambivalent where it speaks of fostering plurality with an underlying unity and at the same time hoping for a common uniformi- ty of classes, castes, regions, religious, linguistic groups, socio- cultural diversifications.
1.4 The models that have been adopted for education, public adminis- tration and, for that matter, social change and policies have been by an large monolithic unidimensional and not plural. Cultural planning and policy cannot be dissociated from policies of education, tribal and rural development the growth of small town clusters and the estab- lishment of major cosmopolitan metropolis.
1.5 The pre-independent India's Policy of dissociating modern educa- tion from the ancient and medieval traditions of education and culture in the country led to a hiatus between the modern educated Indian and the Indian who had been brought up through traditional systems of education. Also, since greater emphasis was laid on the modern educa- tion and encouragement given in the matter of jobs, positions etc. the modern educated Indian who was alienated from his roots was by and large responsible for policy and planning. Alongside was the other stream of the traditional systems of education as also another group of institutions such as museums, the galleries and art academies, language institutions, institutions in the field of Indology who had nothing to do with the new formal system of education.
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At this moment, an Indian history and development of India, it is necessary to re-establish the broken, links between the institutions of modern education and the institutions who are charged with the responsibility of preserving and considering the heritage. It is also necessary to enrich the institutions of modern education with the learning skills and wisdom of the traditional system and to bring a modern approach valid for contemporary needs to the traditional insti- tutions. The Steering Group laid great emphasis on the need to re- establish dialogue and create meaningful bridges.
Review of Sixth Plan Programmes 1.6 The Steering Group on Art and Cultural undertook the view of the progress made in different fields under Art & Culture during the Sixth Five Year Plan. It noted the setting up of the National Arts Council under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. It hoped that the Coun- cil would look after coordination of activities of institutions of arts, archaeology, anthropology, archives, museums, libraries and would provide guidelines for the programmes of the institutions and agencies engaged in the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage.
1.7 The group also welcomes the setting up of National Advisory Board for promotion of Buddhist studies and felt that the activities in the field would be further strengthened and consolidated in the Seventh Five Year Plan.
1.8 Despite the progress being made, the Steering Group expressed its concern for lack of infrastructural facilities in the State/UTs. It observed that in many States there is no uniform pattern of organisa- tion for cultural activities and recommend that those States/UTs who do not have separate Departments of Cultural to institute one at the earliest.
Priorities in the VII Plan 1.9 The Steering Group identified that the main thrust in the Seventh Plan for the programmes of Art & Culture would be on,
a) Preservation, Documentation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, and
b) Contemporary Creativity, and
c) Stress on programmes relating to inter-linking of the sectors of education with those of Culture. Schemes for inter linking of the sectors, of elementary education, secondary education and higher education with to only archaeology, oral traditions and ancient and modern languages.
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1.10 The Steering Group observed that the Sixth Plan on Art Culture could be taken as a point of reference but not as a modal to determine financial provisions and priorities.
Financial Outlays: 1.11 The Steering Group expressed its concern over the insignificant outlays that have been provided in the successive five year plans for the sector - Art and Culture in comparison to actual, requirements of preservation and conservation of cultural heritage, national pride in ancient civilization and magnificence of diversity. The following are the figures of outlays and expenditure for the last Five Year Plan to VIth Five Year Plan:
(Rs. in Crores)
Plans Education *Art & Culture
Outlay Expenditure Outlay Expenditure
Ist Plan 169 153 a a
(7.6) - -
IInd Plan 277 273 4 3
(5.9) (1)
IIIrd Plan 560 589 10 7
(6.9) (2)
IVth Plan 822 786 13 12
(4.9) (2)
Vth Plan 1285 911 37 27
(3.3) (3)
VIth Plan 2524 NA 84 121
(3) (Anticipated)
a Included under General Education.
* Figures in parentheses in Col. 4 indicate percentage to total outlay
on Education while those under Col. 2 represent percentage to total
plan outlay.
1.12 The above table indicates the outlays that have been provided to Education in various plans which inter-alia included the share of Art & Culture. The outlays on Art & Culture is just 3% of the total outlay on Education.
1.13 Further, if a comparison is made on the share of Art & Culture in the Sixth Plan to total outlays on Social Services then the percentage is still lower. This is evident from the table below:-
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(Rupees in Crores)
Centre States U.Ts Total
1. Art & Culture 51 32 1 84
(% of 2) (1.15%) (0.36%) (0.13%) (0.60%)
(% of 3) (0.11%) (0.06%) (0.06%) (0.09%)
2. Social Services 4,453 8,831 751 14,035
3. Total Plan 47,250 48,600 1,650 97,500
In view of the repeated emphasis laid, within the country and interna- tionally n the antiquity, variety and synthesis in our culture, the Steering Group recommends that the minimum reasonable outlay in the Seventh Plan on Art & culture should be raised to a modest 2% of total plan on social services.
1.14 It will be pertinent to observe that the criterion for plan allocation should be importance and justification of the programme rather than its relationship to the financial allocations in the Sixth Plan. It is suggested that while the schemes initiated in the Sixth Plan by the cultural institutions and the ongoing programmes of the Department of Culture might continue with adequate step up in outlay, new schemes have been proposed to meet crucial challenges is the sectors of Art & Culture. These have been discussed under the sectoral recommendations. It is suggested that State/UT Governments should not divert funds from cultural sector to non-cultural sectors. Further, a minimum of 1/2 to 1 per cent of the plan provision be earmarked for preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in other development sectors e.g., Rural integrated Development, Tourism, Health, Urban Development, Industrial development, Handicrafts, etc. State Govern- ments should also adopt similar pattern.
PART II - SECTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The programmes under Art & Culture can be conveniently grouped under the following sub-sectors:
I. Archaeology
II. Museums & conservation Laboratories
III. Anthropology and Ethnology
IV. Archives & Records
V. Institutions of Tibetan, Buddhist and Historical Studies
VI. Libraries including Rural and Manuscript Libraries.
VII. Academics for promotion of performing Literary and Plastic Arts.
VIII. Promotion & dissemination of Culture.
IX. External Relations.
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I. ARCHAEOLOGY 3.1 The Archaeological Survey of India, which was set-up more than hundred years ago, is engaged in exploration and excavation, preserva- tion of monuments, epigraphical research and development of museums. The Survey is maintaining nearly 5000 centrally protected monuments and Archaeological Sites of national importance under Ancient Monu- ments and Archaeological Sites & Remains Act, 1958. The number is increasing every year.
3.2 During the past few years there has been phenomenal increase in the functions and responsibilities of the survey. Survey is also facing many new problems, viz., (i) vandalism at monuments and theft and smuggling of antiquities, (ii) misuse of monuments and (iii) uanuthorised encroachments in the archaeological areas, etc.
3.3 Realising the fact that ASI is overburdened with the existing responsibility of mandating several thousand monuments all over the country, the Steering Group suggests reorganization of circles and augmentation of circles from 12 to 18 so as to effectively manage them and to undertake programmes of their preservation and security.
3.4 There is urgent need to strengthen the epigraphy Branch so that a large number of estampages which are pending for the past many decades could be properly deciphered and their publication taken up. Under the publications programme of the Survey, adequate funds may be specially earmarked for publication of estampages in the Epigraphical Depart- ment.
3.5 As regards setting up of Institute of Archaeology, it was observed that this institution may be set up under the umbrella of the ASI at the initial stage and develop into an autonomous body in due course to cover the entire gamut of Archaeology including academic research in the universities. Efforts should be made to institute chairs for Regional Asian Archaeology in different universities, e.g. Chinese, South East Asia, West Asia, Japanese, Central Asian, etc.
3.6 The Steering Group took serious note of the security staff posi- tion which called for immediate improvement both in quantity and quality. It was noted that the present strength of Monument Attendants was nearly 2700 which meant that no even one attendant is available for each protected monument and site. In order to prevent vandalism on the protected monuments, sufficient trained watch-and-ward staff needs to be provided at all monuments. ASI should make arrangements for the training of the security force by military and para military organisa- tion and adequate funds should be provided for this purpose in the plan.
3.7 Similar arrangements will be desirable in States and Union Terri- tories. If a State Archaeology Department does not have adequate strength of security staff, there can be single security force for all cultural properties. In the fields of archaeology, States/UTs should provide a minimum of fifty percent of the total outlay on Art & Cul- ture in their plans.
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II MUSEUMS AND CONSERVATION LABORATORIES
Art Collections: 4.1 Adequate funds should be provided to museums in order to enrich their collections of Indian art and, at the same time, encouragement should be given to acquire works of international art.
4.2 Customs duty on import of works of art should be waived. Export of masterpieces of ancient Indian art and important work by famous for- eign and Indian artists, less than 100 years old, but declared as Art Treasures should be checked, and so also that of specific works by living artists which are of extraordinary historical and artistic importance. Non lapsable funds should be established to ensue acquisi- tion of best works of art as and when available, and existing tax laws may be amended as and when necessary.
Documentation: 4.3 Computerised photo documentation of works of art in all major museums and their indexing and cross-indexing should be given priori- ty, to be followed by publication of catalogues of collections. To minimise the loss of photo, video or computerised visual records of exhibits, sets of such documents should also be stored in more than one place.
Security: 4.4 Security arrangements for works of art as well as that of the buildings and premises of museums are antiquated. For security of art objects computerised burglary and fire-alarms system should be intro- duced, environmental conditions inside the museums should be improved to minimise the danger of decay of works of art and due to inadequate storage system, mishandling and sheet carelessness. Adequate trained staff equipped with latest mechanical aids such as walkie-talkie system etc. and working in collaboration with police authorities should be provided.
Display and maintenance: 4.5 Normally, maintenance of museums is under Non-Plan and looked after by CPWD, and State, PWDs, often leading to very shabby results. As and when necessary, provision for special repair and maintenance should be kept in the plan budget to augment Non-Plan provisions. The interior should be maintained by the museum itself.
4.6 Installations, such as improvement of lighting system and prepara- tion of show-cases etc. could be designed in consultation with profes- sional private and public agencies, using latest available material, and atleast a part of the museum should be centrally airconditioned for the storage, preservation and display of fragile objects.
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Special Exhibitions: 4.7 Special exhibitions of works of art from the reserve collection, ensuring regional collaboration by way of exchange of exhibits, and taking full advantage of international cultural exchange programmes should be encouraged. For handling of masterpieces and for their loading and unloading and packing, adequate expertise should be en- sured by providing training facilities as and when necessary. The department of Exhibition within Museums should work in collaboration with the Restoration, Education and Publication Departments.
Education 4.8 To ensure the role of museums in the field of education they should be linked with educational institutions. Students visual expo- sure to works of art may be made compulsory, involving not only a mere gallery visit, but also lectures and demonstration in the museums, sign audio-visual facilities and showing of films etc. Every museum should have an active Mobile Exhibitions Bus Programme so that museums could send exhibitions to adjoining smaller educational institutions, villages and small fairs.
4.9 At a higher level, museums should be declared as educational institutions so that they could impart teaching in specialised areas, and there should be an active inter-action and linkage with the Uni- versity set up. Major museums should be encouraged to develop atleast a part-time educational and lecture programme leading to awarding of certificates.
4.10 The educational programmes of museums should be linked with their publication programmes, so that required inexpensive on subsidised educational material could be made available to the public.
4.11 In addition, museums should collaborate and take advantage of means of mass communication, such as radio, television and documentary films.
Publications: 4.12 Besides publications of books and catalogues, equal importance should be given for preparation and selling of colour slides, a large scale publication of picture post cards, reproductions of works of art and art educational items such as jigsaw-puzzle etc especially for the benefit of children.
4.13 Above all, every attention should be made to improve the quality of publications, augmenting museum resources by evolving an active collaboration with other commercial and business agencies, both in public and private sectors.
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Museum and the Public and Museum Personnel: 4.14 Every attempt should be made to evolve ways and means to involve the public in the patronage of museums. at a higher level, Societies of the Friends of the Museums should be formed - providing some finan- cial assistance at the initial stage - with a view to attract public support to the museum, taking advantage of existing tax laws and their possible modification in future.