Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh govt will promote traditional and folk art forms through a proposed ‘One District-One Art’ initiative on the lines of its flagship One District-One Product (ODOP) scheme, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.Speaking at the 63rd foundation day celebrations of the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi, titled ‘Dharohar’, at Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium in Gomti Nagar, Yogi asked the culture department and various academies to prioritise the initiative and create platforms for artists across districts to showcase distinctive local art forms.“Every district has its own unique art and cultural identity. These traditions need to be identified, nurtured and promoted, just as we have done under ODOP,” the chief minister said, linking the proposed programme to the state’s efforts to build a cultural and creative economy.Citing ODOP’s performance, he said Uttar Pradesh exports had crossed Rs 2 lakh crore. He added that the proposed initiative, along with One District-One Cuisine, could open new avenues for cultural promotion and employment generation by taking local art forms to wider audiences.Yogi also underlined the need to preserve traditional musical instruments and art forms that, he said, had faced neglect after Independence. He said India’s folk traditions had sustained cultural identity through centuries of invasions and attempts at cultural subjugation.Referring to the role of technology, he said digital platforms and artificial intelligence offered young artists new opportunities to experiment, while urging them to remain connected to “the fragrance of their soil”, folk melodies, gurus and cultural roots.Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to take pride in India’s heritage, Yogi said the state govt was working to revive cultural centres in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Braj. He said events such as Deepotsav and Dev Deepawali had helped take Uttar Pradesh’s cultural traditions to global audiences.He described Indian music as more than entertainment, calling it a medium to connect with the divine, and referred to the damru of Lord Shiva, Krishna’s flute and Goddess Saraswati’s veena. He also highlighted the contributions of the Lucknow, Banaras, Agra and Rampur gharanas, and maestros including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, Girija Devi and Begum Akhtar. He cited Braj’s Raslila, Purvanchal’s Birha and Bundelkhand’s Alha as enduring folk traditions.The chief minister directed additional chief secretary (tourism and culture) Amrit Abhijat to immediately fill vacancies at the Sangeet Natak Akademi, suggesting a recruitment board or committee and age relaxation if required.Akademi chairperson Prof Jayant Khot said the institution had worked to preserve and promote music, dance, theatre and folk arts. He thanked the govt for approving an increase in prize money for Akademi awards.
