Bihar launches the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana and Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana to support traditional artists and preserve endangered folk arts.
Dignity in Retirement: Pension for Bihar’s Cultural Torchbearers
The Bihar government has taken a historic step to honour its traditional artists with the launch of the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana. Under this scheme, artists aged 50 and above who have dedicated at least 10 years to classical, visual, or performing arts will receive a monthly pension of ₹3,000.
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This initiative is designed to support artists who have long served as custodians of Bihar’s cultural identity but often face financial hardship in their later years. Whether they are folk singers from Bhojpur, Madhubani painters from Mithila, or classical dancers from Patna, the scheme recognizes their lifelong contributions.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Minimum age of 50 years
- Proven contribution of 10+ years to traditional art forms
- Annual income not exceeding ₹1.2 lakh
The selection process begins at the district level, where committees will vet applications before forwarding them to a state-level panel for final approval. This decentralized approach ensures inclusivity and transparency.
The scheme has been allocated ₹1 crore for the current financial year, with plans to expand based on demand and outreach. According to Bihar’s Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs Minister Motilal Prasad, the pension is “not just financial support, it’s a gesture of gratitude and respect.”
Passing the Torch: Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana to Preserve Endangered Arts
Complementing the pension scheme is the Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana, a two-year training program aimed at reviving rare and endangered folk traditions. This initiative taps into the age-old Indian model of knowledge transmission through mentorship, where seasoned artists (gurus) train young disciples (shishyas) in their craft.
The scheme covers a wide spectrum of art forms, including:
- Folk tales and drama
- Traditional dance and music
- Classical painting and musical instruments
- Crafts like bamboo art and terracotta sculpture
Under the program:
- Gurus will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹15,000
- Musicians assisting in training will get ₹7,500
- Disciples will be paid ₹3,000 per month
A budget of ₹1.11 crore has been sanctioned for the current year. The training will be conducted in rural and semi-urban clusters, ensuring that art forms rooted in local communities are preserved in their authentic settings.
The scheme also aims to document and digitize these traditions, creating a repository for future generations. “We are not just preserving art, we are preserving identity,” said Minister Prasad.
Cultural Renaissance: Impact Beyond the Canvas
Together, these schemes represent a cultural renaissance for Bihar. They not only provide financial dignity to aging artists but also create a pipeline of trained youth ready to carry forward the legacy.
Potential long-term benefits include:
- Revival of dying art forms, many of which are on the brink of extinction
- Employment generation in the cultural sector
- Boost to tourism, as preserved traditions attract visitors
- Strengthening of local economies, especially in artisan communities
The timing of these announcements just months before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections also signals a political commitment to inclusive development and cultural pride.
Critics have long argued that artists are undervalued in policy frameworks. With these schemes, Bihar sets a precedent for other states to follow. The fusion of economic support and heritage preservation could become a model for national replication.
Conclusion:
Bihar’s launch of the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana and Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana is more than policy, it’s a promise. A promise to honour the past, empower the present, and inspire the future. As the state invests in its artists and traditions, it reclaims its cultural soul, one brushstroke, one melody, and one story at a time.
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