header

The applicants who wish to be empanelled may apply to the Ministry in the above categories/sub-categories.

In respect of categories I to IV, the artists are empanelled as “Outstanding” or “Promising”. All Padma awardees in these categories are empanelled as “Outstanding” artists.

The applicants are empanelled on the basis of the recommendation of an expert committee constituted for the screening of the applications. The applicants not empanelled and the artists empanelled as “Promising” can apply for reconsideration.

• Any artist/group interested in applying should have performed/participated at State, National and/or International level. Requirement of number of performances/shows is at least two performances at State/National/International level.
• The artist/group should be equipped to explain to the audience about the art form and the performance.
• In respect of Category VII, applications for curated exhibitions only will be considered.
• Foreign nationals applying for empanelment must be Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholder.

• The application should be sent in the prescribed format as per annexure at foicell-culture@gov.in. The information should be sent in MS word document file only. The hard copy of the application may be addressed for Festival of India Cell – ICR Division, Ministry of Culture, Central Secretariat Library, 1st Floor, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Artists/Group wishing to apply for empanelment in more than one category/sub-category, (along with separate YouTube links) separate application for each such category or sub-category should be sent. For example, if an artist/group is applying for Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi, he/she should send separate applications for Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi along with separate YouTube links.
• In case of category I – VI, there should be at least 3 YouTube links of recent live performances of minimum duration of 10 minutes and maximum of 30 minutes. The YouTube links should be of professional quality. If the technical quality of the link is poor, the application will not be considered for empanelment. In case of Category of Exhibition, the applicant should send at least three web links.
• Folk singers/dancers/theatre artists must indicate the name of the State/region to which they belong and their specific form.
• The application for exhibition should be accompanied with a concept note in MS Word format.
• Supporting documents, such as certificates form gurus/institutes, press reviews, awards etc. may be attached with the hard copy of the application.
• The applicants not empanelled or empanelled as ‘Promising’ can reapply after a gap of 6 months with professional YouTube links other than the ones sent earlier, for review.

• Group Size: The group size should not exceed 15 members.
• Cooling off period:There will be a cooling off period of 2 years after a performance in a Festival of India abroad. The leader of the Group who has performed in an FoI abroad will not be permitted to perform as accompanist with another group.
• International Travel – Ministry of Culture provides the following to artists/groups selected for performance in Festivals of India abroad:-
  • Economy class ticket form originating point to destination to artists/groups performing in Festivals of India abroad through Government approved agencies.
  • The artists/groups for participating in FoIs will travel on ordinary passports.
  • Visa fee/Travel insurance and excess baggage allowance, if requested will be paid or reimbursed on actual basis.
  • Hotel accommodation, local and intercity transport abroad, payment of Daily Allowance, as per the Government norms will be provided by the Indian Mission abroad.
  • Transit DA: As per Government of India rules.
  • Enforces/transit halt (abroad): Mission would arrange hotel and payment of DA as per Government of India rules. In case expenditure is incurred by artists/groups, the same would be reimbursed to them in Indian currency provided prior permission for enforced halt is taken from Festival of India Cell, Ministry of Culture.
• Travel/Boarding & Lodging (within India)
  • If the artists or groups are required to travel to another city for obtaining visa or yellow fever vaccination, the Ministry would reimburse III Tier AC train fare from the city of residence to the visiting city and return. In case they are unable to get confirmed bookings in III Tier AC, prior approval of the Ministry may be obtained for travel in a different class. In case of non-availability of confirmed train tickets, artists can book their tickets in Tatkal which will also be reimbursed to them on submission of original tickets.
  • Artists/groups would arrange their own suitable accommodation in one/two/three star hotels/guest houses for obtaining visa/Yellow Fever vaccination. Ministry will reimburse maximum of Rs.1,000/- per head per day to the principal artist group leader and Rs.750/- per head per day to accompanist for maximum two days for boarding and lodging subject to production of cash memo/bill.
  • Artists/groups may make their own transport arrangements form residence to airport/railway station and back. They will be entitled for reimbursement of mileage allowance at a rate of Rs. 16/- per km per person. The leader of the Group/Principal artist is entitled for reimbursement for AC Taxi on actual basis.

Rs. 1,50,000/- per performance

Leader/Main artists Rs. 35,000 per performance

Accompanying artists Rs. 7,000 each per performance

Rs. 15,000/- for one lecture-demonstration/workshop irrespective of number of accompanists.

V. Others would be decided on case to case basis

• Boarding passes for each domestic/international sector in case of travel by air, original train tickets in case of travel by train, original taxi receipts in case of travel by road (Note: Boarding passes/train ticket/taxi receipts need to be provided only if the artists is requesting reimbursement)
• Original bills in respect of accommodation if artist is claiming reimbursement.
• In respect of performance fee, these will be reimbursed to the artists on receipt of certificate/tour report from the respective Indian Mission.