Digital lifeline for art with CCRT sub-centre

Nagpur: From folk songs to tribal traditions, Vidarbha's cultural heritage may soon get a digital lifeline for preserving its artistic legacy. The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) under the Union ministry of culture is planning to establish a special sub-centre in Nagpur dedicated to documenting, archiving and promoting the region's folk arts, tribal culture and traditional knowledge systems.Headquartered in New Delhi, the CCRT works towards linking culture with education and preserving India's diverse artistic traditions. The Nagpur sub-centre will specifically cater to the rich folk heritage of Vidarbha, adjoining tribal regions and Central India. Officials said the initiative will include documentation and digital preservation of folk traditions, oral histories, folk music, handicrafts and tribal cultural practices.The centre plans to develop e-resources, digital archives and virtual exhibitions to ensure traditional art forms are preserved for future generations while making them accessible.CCRT chairman Dr Vinod Indurkar said the facility would not only preserve traditional knowledge but also create opportunities for local artists, artisans and theatre practitioners. "The Nagpur sub-centre will host the Vidarbha Cultural Festival and national dialogue series involving artists, researchers and educationists from across the country," he said.Dr Indurkar, a noted theatre personality from Nagpur and former head of fine arts department at Nagpur University, added the centre would encourage research in Indian traditions, folk culture, arts education and cultural studies.