Culture Ministry to Showcase India’s Heritage at Maha Kumbh with ‘Kalagram’

The Ministry of Culture has announced plans to set up ‘Kalagram,’ a cultural village, in Prayagraj during the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela to showcase India’s diverse cultural and spiritual heritage. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, shared this initiative, highlighting its role in preserving and promoting the country’s traditions. The Maha Kumbh will be held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025.

Key Features of Kalagram

Spanning 10.24 acres at Nagvasuki, Kalagram will bring India’s artistic and cultural richness to life. The highlights include:

• Ganga Pandal: A massive venue with a 10,000-person capacity, managed by the Mela authority, where celebrity performances will be held.
• Three Stage Pandals: Located at Jhunsi, Nagvasuki, and Areil, each with a 4,000-seat capacity, these stages will host:
  • Performances by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees.
  • Productions from the National School of Drama (NSD).
  • Cultural presentations by Zonal Cultural Centre ensembles.
• Amphitheatre: A 1,000-seat amphitheater at Kalagram will serve as an additional platform for emerging artists and cultural performances.

To ensure the cultural vibrancy spreads across the city, 20 additional stages will be constructed, equally shared between the Uttar Pradesh government’s culture department and the Ministry of Culture.

Tourism Sector’s Impressive Growth

The Ministry of Tourism also shared data on India’s tourism sector, showing significant progress:

• In 2023, foreign tourist arrivals in India increased to 95 lakh, compared to 77 lakh in 2014, reflecting a 23.96% growth.
• Domestic tourism saw a sharp rise, with 250 crore visits in 2023, up from 123 crore in 2014—a 95.64% increase.
• Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached $28.07 billion in 2023, marking a 42.53% growth compared to $19.69 billion in 2014.
• India’s global ranking on the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) improved from 65th in 2014 to 39th in 2024.

Also, the tourism sector played an important role in employment generation, creating 76.17 million jobs (direct and indirect) in 2022-23, up from 69.56 million in 2013-14.

Driving Cultural and Economic Progress

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to initiatives like ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi.’ He highlighted that the government’s decade-long focus on culture and tourism has led to revolutionary reforms that benefit the country both socio-economically and intellectually.

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Takeaway

The Kalagram cultural village at the Maha Kumbh Mela will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to witness India’s rich heritage through performances, art, and traditions. This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to promote India as a top destination for cultural and spiritual tourism while celebrating its timeless legacy.