The National Cultural Mapping Mission (NMCM), a key initiative of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), celebrated its Foundation Day on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti with a culturally vibrant programme at Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi. The event underscored the growing national commitment to documenting, preserving and celebrating India’s vast cultural heritage, with senior dignitaries highlighting the importance of safeguarding villages, traditions and living heritage for future generations.
Foundation Day Celebrated on Makar Sankranti at IGNCA
The programme was held on January 14, 2026, aligning with Makar Sankranti — a festival celebrated across India as Pongal, Bihu, Uttarayan, Sankranti and Khichdi — symbolising unity in diversity.
The event brought together policymakers, cultural scholars, artists, and students to reflect on NMCM’s journey and its expanding role in strengthening India’s cultural consciousness.
“Preserving Villages is a Great Cultural Awakening”
Presiding over the event, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, highlighted the national significance of NMCM’s work.
He noted that although Makar Sankranti is celebrated under different names across states, the spirit remains the same, representing India’s cultural unity. He proposed that NMCM should prepare a national documentation on regional traditions of Makar Sankranti, covering food, attire, rituals and customs.
Highlighting the mission’s scale, Dr. Joshi said:
“Documenting 6.5 lakh villages is not a small task. Today, NMCM has successfully documented 6.23 lakh villages, which itself is a historic achievement.”
He added that in an era of rapid urbanisation, villages remain the repositories of India’s living traditions. Preserving them, he said, would contribute to a powerful cultural awakening across the country.
Cultural Mapping Essential for Heritage Awareness: Rajesh Kumar Singh
The Chief Guest, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, described cultural mapping as both ambitious and essential.
He emphasised that:
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Authentic village-level heritage data empowers citizens to understand their roots
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Heritage awareness strengthens national pride
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Cultural activities are among the 29 constitutional functions of Panchayats, yet remained under-recognised for long
He highlighted the Ministry’s ‘Panchayat Heritage’ programme, launched to integrate cultural consciousness into grassroots governance.
Authenticity is the Core Responsibility in Cultural Documentation: Dr. Shah Faisal
Dr. Shah Faisal, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, speaking as Guest of Honour, stressed that Indian culture has largely evolved through oral traditions, making documentation both crucial and challenging.
He cautioned that:
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Errors in documentation are not merely technical mistakes
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Inaccurate or unauthenticated data amounts to injustice to India’s heritage
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Authenticity and integrity must remain the guiding principles of cultural mapping
He noted that unlike rigid text-based civilisations, Indian culture has survived precisely because of its flexibility and continuity through generations.
NMCM Journey and ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ Portal Highlighted
Welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. (Dr.) R. C. Gaur, Head of Kala Nidhi Division and In-Charge of NMCM, recalled that NMCM itself was launched on Makar Sankranti in 2021, with IGNCA serving as the nodal agency under the Ministry of Culture.
Dr. Mayank Shekhar, Director, NMCM, presented the annual report and showcased the progress of the ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ portal, which serves as a digital repository of village-level cultural, historical and traditional data across India.
Rich Cultural Performances Showcase India’s Diversity
The event featured a series of culturally rich performances that reflected India’s artistic diversity:
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An auspicious opening performance of ‘Panchavadyam’ (traditional South Indian percussion ensemble)
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Release of the NMCM brochure and the second issue of its bi-annual journal ‘Maati’
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Mesmerising Ao Naga tribal dance and music performance from Northeast India
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Performances by Pragya Arts
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Musical presentation by Mr. Nitish Kumar
The evening celebrated folk, tribal and classical traditions on a single platform.
Publications Released and Artists Felicitated
Two key publications were released:
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NMCM Brochure
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Second issue of the journal ‘Maati’, described as a valuable contribution to cultural research and public discourse
The programme concluded with:
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Felicitation of artists
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Prize distribution for the rangoli competition winners
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Vote of thanks to participants and guests
Guests later shared a traditional Makar Sankranti meal of chura-dahi (flattened rice and curd), reinforcing the cultural spirit of the day.
Celebrating Unity Through Cultural Heritage
The Foundation Day celebrations conveyed a strong message: India’s cultural strength lies in its villages, traditions, and living heritage. By bringing together diverse artistic traditions and focusing on systematic documentation of cultural knowledge, NMCM continues to play a vital role in shaping a national cultural consciousness rooted in authenticity, inclusivity and pride.
Conclusion
NMCM’s Foundation Day celebration was not merely an institutional milestone but a symbolic reaffirmation of India’s commitment to cultural preservation. With over 6.23 lakh villages already documented, and growing engagement with communities, scholars and institutions, NMCM is steadily building one of the world’s most comprehensive cultural knowledge systems. As Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi rightly noted, preserving villages is not just preservation — it is a cultural awakening for the nation.
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Source: PIB
