Scheme for Upliftment of Utsavi Rangabhumi

Scheme for Upliftment of Utsavi Rangabhumi helps traditional theatre groups in villages across Goa by providing financial support to stage plays during deity festivals, thereby preserving Goan cultural heritage. For the financial year 2026-27, the Directorate of Art and Culture has released the official application form so village theatre groups can apply for support.

Scheme for Upliftment of Utsavi Rangabhumi - Introduction

Scheme for Upliftment of Utsavi Rangabhumi plays a key role in supporting the rich cultural tradition of Gomantakiya Utsavi Rangabhumi. This government scheme focuses on reviving performing arts practiced during village festivals. Many famous actors began their journey here, and this scheme aims to help these traditions flourish once again with government support and encouragement.

The Directorate of Art and Culture aims to protect the heritage of village theatre. By supporting both musical and prose plays, this scheme helps local artists show their talents while strengthening community bonds.

Main aims include:

1. To revive and preserve the festive theatre of Goan villages.
2. To encourage local village groups to restart the Houshi Ranghabhumi theatre movement by providing required support for the revival of sangeet natak (musical plays) and prose performances.
3. To encourage local female and child artists to take part in these plays.
4. To encourage amateur artists and bring discipline to traditional festive theatre.
5. To support new playwrights, directors, set designers, and other stage technicians.
6. To encourage unity and brotherhood through the medium of village theatre.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme provides financial support to help with play production. The support is structured as follows:

The selection committee may also decide additional support for directional and technical experts on a case-by-case basis. Please note that each theatre group should apply for financial support for only one play per year.

Eligibility

To qualify for this support, a group should meet the following criteria:

1. The group must be a traditional village festive theatre organization or an amateur theatre group.
2. The group should have a history of performing plays during village deity festivals through devasthan or village institutions.
3. The group should show a tradition of performing for at least 25 years.
4. All roles, including female characters, must be performed by members from the same village. No professional artists are allowed.
5. The group must provide certification of its tradition from the local Devasthan or village committee.
6. The group must keep a Bank Account in a nationalized or scheduled bank to receive the financial support.

Application Process

For the financial year 2026-27, the official application form has been released by the Directorate of Art and Culture. The scheme is applied through an offline process, and the application form carries a charge of ₹ 10. Follow these steps to apply:

STEP 1 - Visit the Directorate of Art & Culture, located at 5th Floor, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa - 403001.

STEP 2 - Request the official application proforma from the office, or download the 2026-27 application form from the official Goa government website.

STEP 3 - Fill in all required details, attach a signed passport-sized photograph, and make sure all mandatory documents are attached and self-attested.

STEP 4 - Submit your completed application to the ACO-II, Directorate of Art & Culture (Phone: 0832-2404623, Email: aco3-dac.goa@nic.in).

Documents

Make sure the following documents are ready for the application:

1. Copy of registration certificate (if registered).
2. Detailed estimate of expenditure for the play production.
3. A signed affidavit.
4. Details of the play production and the playwright.
5. Original or Copy of the Use Certificate if a grant was received in previous years.
6. Bank details of a nationalized or scheduled bank.
7. The full script and the name of the play.
8. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local Devasthan.

References

Official Application Form 2026-27

Citizen's Charter

Official Scheme Guidelines

FAQ's

What is the role of the Devasthan or village committee in certifying traditional theatre group performances?

The Devasthan or village committee performs the important task of certifying that a group carries out plays in line with authentic local traditions and customs.

Is there a limit to the number of plays a theatre group can receive financial support for in a year?

Yes, each theatre group should receive financial support for only one play per year.

What is the service standard for approval and reimbursement under this scheme?

Applicants receive notification about their application status within 45 days, and if approved, the reimbursement is released within 95 days.

Who can be contacted for more information about this scheme?

The designated officer, ACO I, at the Directorate of Art & Culture, Panaji, can be contacted by calling 0832-2404640 or via email at aco5-dac.goa@nic.in.

Are there any additional grants provided to scriptwriters?

Yes, scriptwriters may receive an extra incentive of ₹ 3,000 for a new, high-quality script.

What is the maximum financial support provided for the production of sangeet plays?

The maximum financial support for sangeet plays is ₹ 30,000 or 75% of the actual cost, whichever amount is smaller.

How often can theatre groups apply for financial support under this scheme?

Theatre groups can apply annually, provided they meet the selection criteria and funds are available.

Are professional artists allowed to participate in these plays?

No, professional artists are not permitted to join. All roles must be played by individuals from the same village to preserve the authentic nature of the performance.

Is there a focus on encouraging female and child artists' participation in these plays?

Yes, the scheme actively encourages local female and child artists to take part in these traditional theatrical performances.

What specific types of plays does this scheme support?

This scheme supports both sangeet natak (musical plays) and prose plays that form the core of Goa's festive theatre tradition.

Are there any measures in place to safeguard the authenticity of traditional village festive theatre?

Yes, the scheme requires groups to perform in line with local traditions, verified by the required certificate from the local Devasthan or village committee.