Noting that the country's cultural institutions are not manned by professionals, a Parliamentary panel has suggested that a "cultural cadre" needs to be raised to man the functioning of the akademis, museums and other such establishments.
"... A cultural cadre distinct from the regular administrative cadre needs to be created to man the functioning of the Akademis, Museums, and other cultural institutions. This should consist of individuals who may be generalists in the arts," says the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture in its report tabled in Parliament today.
The Sitaram Yechury-chaired panel said that courses would have to be introduced for educating them in the arts to make them conversant with different forms of theatre, dance, music, poetry and literature, painting, sculpture and architect.
"Courses in 'art administration' could be part of the regular educational stream or even special courses created under the ministries of HRD and Culture to produce right kind of persons to administer our cultural institutions in a better way," it said.
The 31-member panel said that the government should "seriously consider" the creation of cultural cadre.
The committee appreciated the Ministry of Culture for trying to enhance the visibility of the cultural sector through major exhibitions, participation in biennial and greater international collaborations under cultural exchange programmes and organising festivals of India.
"But, protection and the preservation of our monuments and heritage sites is the core area of its activity which should not be ignored at any cost and utmost priority should be given to that area," it said.
