Patna: Bihar govt has outlined an ambitious programme to elevate its cultural identity, with plans for monthly pensions for artists, district-level arts venues and expanded funding for training as part of a wider effort to position the state on the global stage.
The Chief Minister Artists’ Pension Scheme will offer Rs. 3,000 per month to elderly, marginalised and economically disadvantaged artists who have dedicated their lives to the arts. According to officials, 85 artists from 10 districts have been selected so far, with applications open since August 2025.
As part of the government’s cultural roadmap, the Guru-Shishya Tradition Scheme has been launched to revive endangered art forms through a classical mentoring model. Experienced practitioners will train young students in folk arts, music, dance and instrumental performance. Officials say 233 applications have been received, currently under review.
A central pillar of the plan is the construction of Atal Kala Bhavans – 620-seat cultural venues intended to support events, training and exhibitions in every district. Completed structures are already in place in Saran, Gaya, Purnia, Saharsa, Begusarai, Munger and Darbhanga, with work progressing elsewhere.
Pranav Kumar, secretary of the Department of Art and Culture, said the measures are designed to give “recognition, support and stability” to artists while revitalising traditional knowledge systems. “We aim to secure Bihar’s cultural heritage for future generations and share it with the world,” he said.
Alongside the pension and mentoring programmes, the government has set out a series of cultural achievements, including:
- Bihar Kala Samman awarded to 52 artists with Rs. 27 lakh in prize money
- 3,800+ artists registered online under state initiatives
- Over 30 films and web series have been shot in Bihar under the state’s film promotion policy
- Rs. 13.53 lakh in scholarships for arts students
- Participation in the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa
- Principal approval for the establishment of the Bihar Film and Drama Institute
- Jhinjhiya folk dance recognised by the India Book of Records
- Completion of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa in Vaishali
Efforts are also underway to secure UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status for the annual Chhath Mahaparv, a major festival in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh dedicated to the Sun God. The state has formally requested the Ministry of Culture to forward the nomination.
“Chhath embodies ecological balance, purity, community and intergenerational tradition,” Kumar said. “We believe it deserves international recognition.”
The government says the combined measures are aimed at ensuring not only the preservation of Bihar’s arts and heritage, but also creating pathways for livelihoods, training and international partnerships.
