Shyamhari Chakra
The dynamic decision of the Ministry of Culture in favour of virtual mode presentation of events under its Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana has brought relief to the artistes and arts organisations across the country.
The ongoing pandemic has forced a grinding halt on almost all art related events, thereby adversely affecting livelihood of the people and institutions in culture sector.
“The Covid outbreak has had a substantial impact on the performing arts and cultural sector with exhibitions, events, and performances either being cancelled or postponed.
However, there were intensive efforts by the Ministry of Culture to provide alternative or additional services through digital platforms”, the Ministry officials maintained.
The Ministry of Culture implements many schemes under its Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana where the grants are sanctioned for holding programs and activities which involve large audience.
While the performances with a limited audience have been recently allowed, in view of the prevailing conditions, the Ministry of Culture has formulated and devised the guidelines to help artists and organizations who have already been sanctioned grant under various scheme components of Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana to conduct events on virtual mode, the officials elaborated.
This will enable them to avail benefits under these schemes even if they are not able to stage programmes in the physical format as before and will ensure continued financial assistance to tide over the present crisis, they explained.
The components of the scheme include Repertory Grant, National Presence, Cultural Function & Production Grant, Himalayan Heritage, Buddhist/Tibetan Heritage and Scholarship/Fellowship.
“The artists and organizations who have already been sanctioned grant under KSVY schemes are encouraged to conduct various components of the schemes such as virtual workshops on art & craft, lecture-cum-demonstrations, webinars, online programs/festivals through virtual mode on social media handles like Facebook and YouTube”, the Ministry announcement stated.
The submission of hard copies of documents relating to activities covered under the scheme components will be dispensed with for the time being and soft copies of the same will be admissible for release of grant.
The organizations who are conducting events on virtual mode will also be given exemption from submission of proof of event such as newspaper cutting but must submit link or recordings of the virtual events with details of the event. The outreach of the program in terms of measure of the digital audience should also be indicated, it elaborated.
