Mumbai:  3 August 2026

The Government is taking several steps to promote and preserve Mumbai’s diverse cultural traditions, including theatre, music, cinema and traditional art forms. Through its autonomous organizations and cultural institutions, the Government organizes various cultural programmes and festivals to provide platforms for artists and showcase the city’s vibrant cultural heritage.

Programmes such as RSM, WAVES, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rajyabhishek Mahotsav and National Vasant Natyotsav are organized to celebrate India’s cultural diversity. Theatre productions from Mumbai are also showcased at national-level cultural events.

The National School of Drama (NSD) established its Mumbai Centre in November 2025 to expand theatre education, encourage local talent and strengthen the connection between theatre and Mumbai’s film and entertainment industry.

The West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) works in collaboration with State Governments and other institutions for organizing cultural programmes and does not provide direct grants. The South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) has provided financial assistance to artists from Mumbai under its various schemes and has also recommended artists for Padma Awards and other honours. Eligible theatre artists can avail scholarships and fellowships under NSD schemes as per prescribed guidelines.

Under the Museum Grant Scheme, financial assistance was provided to the Funds & Properties of the Parsi Punchayet Bombay, Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai during the last three years:

	Financial Year Museum/Organisation Amount Released 2023-24     Funds & Properties of the Parsi Punchayet Bombay, Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai   ₹64.48 lakh 2024-25 Funds & Properties of the Parsi Punchayet Bombay, Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai     ₹100.00 lakh

The Government also promotes Marathi, Konkani, Koli and other traditional art forms through various cultural initiatives. SCZCC presents Koli dances and Marathi Sangeet Natak, while WZCC provides platforms for traditional art forms such as Lavani, Gondhal, Powada, Bharud, Vagya Murli and folk theatre of Maharashtra.

The Sahitya Akademi promotes Marathi and Konkani languages through literary awards and language development initiatives. NSD promotes India’s regional, folk and traditional theatre forms through its academic curriculum, repertory productions, Bharat Rang Mahotsav, workshops and outreach activities.

To strengthen cultural infrastructure, the Ministry implements the Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres Scheme. Financial assistance released to organizations in Mumbai during the last three years includes:

Organisation	Financial Assistance Released
The Company Theatre, Mumbai	₹10.00 lakh (1st instalment) in 2024-25 and ₹14.065 lakh (2nd & final instalment) in 2025-26
Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai	₹15.00 lakh (2nd & final instalment) in 2024-25 (1st instalment of ₹10.00 lakh released in 2017-18)

The establishment of the NSD Mumbai Centre has further strengthened theatre infrastructure and education in the region. The Ministry and its organizations continue to promote Mumbai’s cultural heritage through documentation, outreach activities and cultural programmes across the country.

This was answered by the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

 

PIB Mumbai | Robin Singh/ Priti Malandkar

 

 

 

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