Financial Assistance to Revive, Preserve and Protect Goan Maand Culture

Financial Assistance to Revive, Preserve and Protect Goan Maand Culture is a government scheme of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, that gives financial support to folk artists for keeping traditional Goan folk forms alive. The scheme helps Maand groups sustain their heritage through training, infrastructure support, and monthly honorariums for artists and trainers. As of August 2026, the scheme is in force for the financial year 2026-27 and remains valid up to 31 March 2028.

Goa government has kept this scheme open so that Maand culture, which includes folk performances like Zagor, Ranmalle, Kallo, Perni Zagor, Talgadi, Tonyamell, Shigmo, Challe, Naman, Jatigayan, Goff and Dhallo-Fugadi, can pass on to the next generation. Folk music traditions such as Suvarivadan, Ghumatvadan, Shamelvadan and Dholvadan are also covered, along with any other folk form selected by a committee of experts.

Financial Assistance to Revive, Preserve and Protect Goan Maand Culture - Introduction

Financial Assistance to Revive, Preserve and Protect Goan Maand Culture, run by the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, encourages Goan folk artists to revive, preserve and protect traditional Maand culture. The scheme covers folk performances like Zagor, Ranmalle, Kallo, Perni Zagor, Talgadi, Tonyamell, Shigmo, Challe, Naman, Jatigayan, Goff and Dhallo-Fugadi. It also includes folk music traditions such as Suvarivadan, Ghumatvadan, Shamelvadan and Dholvadan, alongside other forms selected by a committee of experts.

In February 2026, the Director of Art and Culture invited applications for registration of Goan Maand groups from across the State. This registration is meant to build an authentic and complete record of traditional Maand practices and to extend structured institutional support to safeguard this part of Goa's intangible cultural heritage. Applications received under the registration drive are scrutinized by the Committee on Maand culture constituted by the Government.

Objectives

The scheme works around a few clear aims that guide every Maand group and trainer:

• Revive, preserve and protect traditional Goan Maand culture and its associated folk forms so that these living traditions stay intact.
• Maintain unity, integrity and brotherhood among villagers, strengthening the cultural bond for future generations.
• Provide the required infrastructure and money to support these efforts, including repair of instruments and upkeep of Maand grounds.
• Keep traditions authentic by maintaining the unique original form of the Maand.
• Support existing groups that face the risk of extinction, with top priority for art forms on the verge of disappearing.
• Create cultural interaction between villages through village exchange programmes.
• Build a legacy for artists by organizing performances at state, national and international stages.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme provides complete financial support to sustain the artistic journey of a Maand group. The honorarium and stipend amounts remain the same for 2026-27 as in earlier years:

Note: Financial support for instruments, maintenance and costumes is provided specifically for the training course duration. Under the 2026 registration drive, any assistance is released only through bank accounts maintained with Nationalized, PSU or Co-operative banks.

Eligibility

To qualify for this support, a Maand group must show a history of practicing folk art for at least thirty years at a traditional Maand place. Trainees must be at least 10 years old. Experienced older folk artists are encouraged to guide the new generation during the training course. The committee gives top priority to groups whose traditional art forms are near extinction.

A Maand group has to give an undertaking on whether its village Maand is still in existence, obtain a No Objection Certificate from the concerned Devasthan or Maand committee, and operate a bank account in a Nationalized bank to receive payment through ECS mode. Trainees also need to open personal bank accounts and submit their bank details in the prescribed form.

Application Process

For the 2026-27 financial year, the Directorate of Art and Culture has released a fresh application form. Maand groups should follow these steps to apply:

STEP 1 - Visit the Directorate of Art and Culture at 5th Floor, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa - 403001, or download the 2026-27 application form from the Goa government website.

STEP 2 - Fill in all required information, attach a passport-sized photograph signed across, and include self-attested copies of the required documents.

STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to the ACO-I, Directorate of Art and Culture. For help, call 0832-2404640 or email aco3-dac.goa@nic.in.

Separately, Maand groups that want to register for the first time under the 2026 registration drive must submit their duly completed registration forms with the required enclosures. The prescribed registration forms were made available from 10 February 2026 at the Directorate of Art and Culture, and applications were to be submitted on or before 20 February 2026. Applications received after the stipulated date are not considered.

Documents

Make sure these documents are ready before applying:

1. Undertaking regarding the existence of the village Maand.
2. No Objection Certificate from the concerned Devasthan or Maand committee.
3. Copy of the Registration Certificate, if registered.
4. A valid Affidavit and a bond on stamp paper of ₹ 50.
5. Detailed information about the Village Maand.
6. Copy of the Utilization Certificate if a grant was received in previous years.
7. Nationalized or scheduled bank account details.
8. List of instruments currently in possession.
9. List of artists interested in the training programme.

References

Official Guidelines | 2026-27 Application Form | Registration Notice 2026 | Registration Press Release | Citizen Charter

FAQ's

What are examples of folk forms included?

Groups can train in forms like Zagor, Ranmalle, Kallo, Perni Zagor, Talgadi, Tonyamell, Shigmo, Challe, Naman, Jatigayan, Goff and Dhallo-Fugadi, and music like Suvarivadan or Ghumatvadan.

How does this help the younger generation?

The scheme encourages youth to learn traditional arts that are fading away, helping them connect with their cultural roots.

Is there an age limit for trainees?

Yes, trainees should be at least 10 years old to participate in the training sessions.

Can groups re-apply?

Yes, a group can re-apply every two years, provided it does not enroll the same previously trained artists again.

How are trainers chosen?

Artists who wish to be trainers can apply in writing, and a committee of experts selects the Maand Guru based on qualifications.

How long is the training?

The structured training programme for identified folk forms and folklore lasts for one year, with weekly five-day training of at least two hours a day.

How is progress monitored?

A committee of experts visits the Maand venue periodically to review the group's performance and progress.

Are honorariums paid monthly?

Yes, the Maand Guru receives ₹ 9,000, the assistant receives ₹ 6,000, and each trainee receives ₹ 1,500 every month after attendance is verified.

Can I get help for the Maand venue?

Yes, the scheme covers costs for urgent repairs and daily maintenance of the Maand place.

Can I apply for costumes?

Yes, groups may receive support up to ₹ 60,000 for purchasing required performance costumes.

What if funds are misused?

Groups must follow strict financial rules, as the government recovers grants if they are found to be misused.

When should reports be submitted?

As a Maand Guru, progress reports should be submitted every two months or whenever a folk form's training cycle is completed.

Who oversees the scheme?

The Director of the Directorate of Art and Culture in Panaji is responsible for overseeing the progress and proper expenditure of the scheme.