National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture to create a detailed and comprehensive inventory of the cultural heritage of villages across India. The mission seeks to enhance the role of cultural heritage in the development of communities and in shaping their identity.

 Key Objectives of NMCM:

1. Comprehensive Cultural Mapping: The mission aims to map the cultural heritage of approximately 6.5 lakh villages in India, based on data from the 2011 Census. It focuses particularly on villages in Bihar for the initial mapping phase.
2. National Register of Artists and Art Practices: One of the core goals of NMCM is to establish a National Register that will catalog artists and art practices across the country. This will help in identifying, preserving, and promoting local artistic traditions and practices.
3. Web Portal and Mobile App: The initiative will include the development of the National Cultural Workplace (NCWP), which will be accessible through a web portal and a mobile app. This platform will serve as a hub for the cultural data collected and will allow stakeholders, including other ministries and organizations, to access and utilize the data.
4. Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD): This is the dedicated web portal for the cultural mapping process. The portal will house the database, making it available for research, policy development, and the promotion of local cultures.

Areas of Cultural Mapping: The cultural mapping will focus on 7 key aspects to capture the rich and diverse heritage of Indian villages:

1. Arts and Crafts: Cataloging traditional art forms, crafts, and indigenous creative expressions specific to each region.
2. Ecology: Mapping the ecological knowledge and practices unique to each village, including sustainable practices and local environmental heritage.
3. Scholastic Traditions: Recording oral traditions, folklore, educational practices, and knowledge systems that are deeply rooted in the villages.
4. Epics: Collecting information about local interpretations and versions of epics and mythology, including indigenous stories and historical narratives.
5. Local and National History: Chronicling the historical significance of villages, including their role in regional and national history.
6. Architectural Heritage: Documenting traditional architectural styles, structures, and heritage sites within the villages.
7. Other Unique Characteristics: Capturing other distinctive cultural elements that define the essence of each village, including local festivals, rituals, customs, and practices.

Significance of NMCM:

• Cultural Awareness: By mapping the cultural heritage of Indian villages, the mission will raise awareness of the rich cultural diversity across the nation and its importance in shaping identities and fostering community development.
• Sustainability and Protection: The database will help in the protection and promotion of local art forms, traditions, and practices. It will allow stakeholders to take informed actions to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
• Empowering Artists: The National Register of Artists and Art Practices will provide a platform to recognize and support artists from all regions of India, thus contributing to their socio-economic empowerment and encouraging the continuity of cultural traditions.
• Collaboration: The data compiled through NMCM will be made available to various ministries, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions to enhance policy-making and initiatives aimed at promoting and preserving India's diverse cultural heritage.

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD):
This initiative falls under the NMCM and is conducted in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). MGMD is a unique platform that will compile and categorize detailed information about Indian villages, covering aspects of life, history, and ethos. It will serve as a resource for research, promotion, and preservation of cultural heritage.

Key Takeaways:
The National Mission on Cultural Mapping and the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar initiative is a significant step towards documenting, preserving, and promoting India’s cultural diversity. Through mapping the cultural heritage of every village, the government aims to ensure that the cultural richness of rural India is recognized and protected for future generations, while empowering local communities and artists.

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