UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » Art and Culture » Cultural Institutions

Cultural Institutions

Cultural Institutions means those institutes which promote or conserve various forms of Indian culture and spread awareness regarding the same. Read on to know about the leading cultural institutions in India and their roles.

India is famous for its variety of cultural and art forms. Its geographical and cultural diversity gives glimpses of important information related to ancient monuments, cultural heritage and literary arts etc. The Official of India has been charged with maintaining, conserving, and disseminating Indian culture by the Indian Constitution. There are several government and non-government organisations committed to preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.

Listed below are some of the best-known cultural institutions in India.

The Archeological Survey of India

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is India’s primary and archeological research organisation, reporting directly to the Ministry of Culture. Its top objective is to safeguard the tangible, intangibile and physical legacy collected in archeological sites and historical ruins.

The Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958 governs ASI. Another essential law that oversees the ASI’s work is the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act of 1972.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

The IGNCA is an independent organisation that specialises in art study, restoration, display, and distribution. It was founded in 1985. It promotes critical and creative writing, despite its focus on the visual arts. The principal goal of the IGNCA is to establish itself as a prominent reference centre for India’s oral and visual art forms.

Centre for Cultural Resources and Training

India’s Ministry of Culture established the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to connect education and culture. It was founded in 1979 at the request of Dr Kapila Vatsyayan and Smt. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay.

Even though CCRT is an independent institution, the government has mandated that it strengthen its structure. The CCRT has its headquarters in New Delhi and three Regional Centres in Udaipur in the west, Hyderabad in the south, and Guwahati in the northeast to encourage the broader transmission of Indian art and culture.

National Archives of India (NAI)

An organisation that dates back to the British colonial era was established to maintain India’s administrative records. According to the Ministry of Culture’s Memorandum on the National Archives of India, NAI’s key aims are:

  • Providing increased access to archive collections to aid in the conservation of Indian documentary cultural legacy and ensuring that it is passed down through the generations
  • Organising and maintaining a massive quantity of records in a systematic manner
  • Strengthening relationships between archive institutions and archivists, particularly on a national and international scale

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

The ICCR was founded under the Ministry of Culture’s aegis to carry out programs that showcase Indian culture across the world. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who trusted passionately in developing cultural interactions with different nations and civilisations, formed it in 1950.

The ICCR’s mission is to design and execute policies and programs profoundly rooted in India’s worldwide cultural linkages. The ICCR sponsors a wide range of international visual and performing arts programs.

Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) was set up in 1972 after the Societies Registration Act. It is self-supporting and funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It was established to promote and preserve Indian culture. It was a hub for historians to exchange ideas.

Sahitya Akademi

The Indian government established the Sahitya Akademi in 1954. This organisation’s primary purpose was to develop a literary culture in India, encourage and organise literature in all Indian languages, and promote national unity.

It is a self-governing organisation that works in over 24 Indian languages. It recognises English and Rajasthani as well as the 22 languages listed in the Indian Constitution.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) was India’s first national arts institution, created in 1952. Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, opened it. The academy’s major goal was to foster Indian music, theatre, and dance. It was to be the country’s primary artistic display. They also had to promote India’s huge intangible legacy, including music, dance, and theatre.

They must collaborate with state and union territory administrations to safeguard and promote their traditions on a national level. The Sangeet Natak Akademi also governs institutes for dance, music, and theatre.

Lalit Kala Akademi

The National Academy of Art was created in 1954 by the Indian government to promote fine arts in India. Initiated by the Ministry of Culture, the academy is autonomous. That is why they exist.

Despite dealing with national and international artists, Lalit Kala Academy is more concerned with promoting and preserving Indian art. One of their primary centres is in Delhi, but they also have regional centres in Kolkata and Chennai.

Conclusion

The Indian Constitution has entrusted the Government of India with the task of preserving, conserving, and propagating Indian culture. Hence, there are a number of government and non-government organisations dedicated to preserving and upholding India’s long cultural traditions.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What do you mean by the art and culture of India?

Ans. Indian art and culture means various art forms, for example, sculpture, painting, textile arts like woven silk ...Read full

What is the oldest cultural institution in India?

Ans. Museums are the oldest cultural institutions in India. However, The Indian Museum Kolkata, founded in 1814, is ...Read full

Can we say that religion is a cultural institution?

Ans. No, religion is not a cultural institution. Religion is a social institution as it means beliefs that serve the...Read full

Why is Indian culture unique?

Ans. Indian culture is very unique and diverse, and most of the Indian culture is scripted from ancient Indian texts...Read full