Programmes & Schemes

1. Improvement to Administrative Language

Introduction of regional languages Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu for official purposes, Conduct of seminars, training classes, Vizhas honouring of writers by presenting various awards viz., Tamilmamani, Puduvai Kalaimamani, Telugu Ratna, Malayala Ratna, Kamban Puagazh Literary Prize, Tholkappier Award, Nehru children Literary Prize, etc., and Conduct of Literary functions.

2. Financial Assistance to Persons Distinguished In Letters, Arts And Performing Visual Arts

Financial Assistance of Rs. 1000/- per month to indigent artists whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 24,000/- per annum and age not less than 50 years. Financial assistance of Rs. 1500/- per month is provided to the Indigent Tamil Scholars whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 24,000/- per annum and age not less than 58 years.

3. Improvements To Library

Romain Rolland Library and 80 Branch Libraries are functioning under the Directorate of Art and Culture. To maintain the Public Libraries, Branch Libraries and Reading Rooms, improvements are being made to the existing libraries.

4. Improvements To Museum

Improvements are being made to establish and maintain Puducherry Museum, Memmorials of Subramania Bharathiyar, Pavendar Bharathidasan, Makkal Thalaivar Thiru V. Subbaiah.

5. Financial Assistance To Intach

To preserve the remants of the Unique Architectural Heritage of Puducherry necessary Grant – in – Aid being given to M/s. INTACH

6. Preservation Of Government Documents

All documents of historical importance are preserved in the Archives, Puducherry. Records/documents of various departments, from the year 1954 onwards are being collected and kept in the Archives.

7. Contribution To Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation

Releasing of matching grant to the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation ( RRLF) is very much essential thereby bringing the monetary benefit to the Puducherry Region from outside.

8. Estt. And Promotion of Cultural Activities / GIA To Voluntary Cultural Institution + SCSP

To preserve and promote different classical /folk art forms of our country and to create awareness among the people about the cultural heritage by celebrating various cultural programmes with local artists and artists of other states and sponsoring artists to other states/ countries and to honour eminent artists with award and titles. The objective is to encourage the troupes / artists performing old traditional arts.

Guidance, Help and Redressal of Grievances

For obtaining more details about the Schemes and for applications, the contact addresses are as follows:-

The Director
Department of Art and Culture,
Add: 1, Romain Rolland Street,Puducherry – 1
Ph: +91-413- 2336203 and +91-413 – 2349716
Email: art[dot]pon[at]nic[dot]in

The Assistant Library and Information Officer,
Department of Art and Culture,
Add: 1, Romain Rolland Street,Puducherry – 1
Ph: +91-413- 2336203 and +91-413 – 2349716

The Superintendent, Scheme Section
Department of Art and Culture,
Add: 1, Romain Rolland Street,Puducherry – 1
Ph: +91-413- 2336203 and +91-413 – 2349716

Asst.Library And Information Officer,
Add: 93, Masdhan palli street,Karaikal - 609 602.
Ph: +91-4368-221472

The Library Information Assistant
Add: Govt. Public Library,MAHE-673 310.
Ph: +91-490-2332222

The Library Information Assistant
Add: Govt. Public Library,High School Road,YANAM- 533 464
Ph: +91-884-2321243

9. Redressal of Grievances:

For redressal of grievances, complaints and suggestions, the public may contact the Assistant Library and Information Officer, Department of Art and Culture, on all working days. They may also contact the Director on all Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.00 a.m and 12.00 noon.
In outlying regions, the officials in charge of the Department of Art and Culture, may be contacted.
If necessary, the concerned Regional Executive Officers may also be approached for complaints.

Schemes of Directorate of Art And Culture

TABLE - 1

Sl. No.	Name of the Scheme	Benefits available	Age Limit	Annual Income	Other conditions
a.	Improvement of Official Language and Linguistic Studies Awarding of Tamil mamani, Telugu Ratna and Malayala Ratna	Tamil mamani - 6 awards Malayala Ratna - 4 awards ) Telugu Ratna - 4 awards Each of the above awards carries cash award of Rs.75, 000/-	Above 60 years of age	—	The awardee should have published books of high reputed in poetry, prose and research articles in literature and grammar in their respective languages and should have participated in literary and research. The awardee should not have been given any such award by other Government and Organisations like Universities etc. The awardee should be the native of Puducherry or residence in Puducherry continuously for a period of 5 years before the date of selection for the award. In case of fulfillment of all the conditions preference shall be given to the age and to the longevity in Puducherry.
b.	Award of Puduvai Kalaimamani	Kalaimamani - 30 awards (in the field of Literature, Music, Dance, Drama,Painting and Sculpture and Folk arts. Each of the above awards carries cash award of Rs.50, 000/-	Above 30 years of age	—
c.	Nehru Children Literary Price	Cash prize of Rs.10, 000/- No. of Awards – 2	—	—	The books published in Tamil on Children’s Literature during a calendar year shall be considered for the award of Nehru Children’s Literary Prize. The Author/Writer should either be a native of Puducherry or should have resided at least five years in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
d.	Tholkappiar Award	Cash prize of Rs.10, 000/- No. of Awards – 2	—	—	For Outstanding research publication in Tamil literature Research Publications for shall All writers and authors irrespective of age who are natives of the Union Territory of Puducherry either by birth or domicile can partake in the scheme or have continuously resided for a period of not less than 5 years immediately preceding the submission of application shall be considered as natives of Puducherry.
e.	Kamban Pugazh Literary Prize	Rs.10,000/- No. of Awards – 10 (In the field of Novel, Short Story, Drama, Poem & Prose in Tamil)	—	—	For Publication of Best novel short story, Drama, Poetry and Prose The First edition of book should be published in the previous calendar year to the year of award ( between 1st January and 31st December ) Publication must be of creative literature of their own. Book should ne abridged version of imitation of or translated version of another book or synopsis. Literary critics/ Thesis Research Presented to University degrees or examinations are not eligible for award The author once awarded is not eligible to participate for the award in the next four consecutive years.
f.	Financial Assistance to Persons distinguished in Letters, Arts, Performing visual arts Financial Assistance to Indigent Artistes	Rs.1000/- per month	Above 50 years of age	Below 24,000/-	To be eligible for the assistance under the scheme a person’s contribution to Music, Dance, Drama, Folk, Painting and Sculpture etc must be significant. The applicant shall not be a recipient of any other assistance from any other Organizations. The applicant should be a resident of the Union Territory of Puducherry either by birth or by domicile. The applicant’s wife/children shall be eligible to receive the assistance after the death of the applicant.
g.	Financial Assistance to Indigent Tamil Scholars	Rs.1,500/- Per month	Above 58 years of age	The private means of the applicant must not exceed 1,500/- per month.	To be eligible for assistance under the scheme, a person’s contribution to Tamil language and literature must be of significance.
h.	Expansion and Improvement of Libraries/Archieves in U. T of Puducherry Scheme for setting up Reading Room Movement in the Union Territory of Puducherry.	The benefit of the scheme is to enable any voluntary organization, Women’s Association, Youth Clubs, Village Education Committee, Library Circles and other registered or unregistered bodies to run small reading room for the benefit of the public.	—	—	Any voluntary organization, women’s association, youth club, village education committee, library circles and other registered or unregistered body not being a political, religious or commercial organization willing the give rent free place or room for the establishment of a reading room and for the further maintenance is eligible to start and run such a reading room.
i.	Improvement to Museum/ Research Centre	To improve and maintain existing Museums. Collection and preservation of archaeological items / antique to undertake educational activities in the Museum . Award of doctoral fellowship in honour of Poet Bharathiar and Bharathidasan.	—	—	Research Scholars
j.	Estt . and Promotion of cultural activities / Grant – in- aid to voluntary cultural institutions + SCSP Maintenance grant to institutions and organizations engaged in cultural activities.	Maintenance Grant Rs. 3000 and cultural activities Rs. 5,000/-	-	-	A Cultural Organization should have been engaged in cultural activities for a minimum period of two years prior to the date of application for the grant-in-aid. Its accounts should have been duly audited and approved by a Competent person/body under the provisions of the rules accompanying the Memorandum of Association of the Institution. It should not be run for profit to any individual or a body of individuals. Institutions which have defaulted in submitting the utilization certificates in respect of grants made on previous occasions shall not be eligible for grants.
k.	Scheme of financial assistance for dance and drama troupes/associations	The grant shall not exceed Rs.2,000 in each case	-	-	The assistance is admissible to dance and drama troupes for presenting new classical or folk dance programmes or for staging new dramas, enacted by any cultural body registered in the territory. The troupe or association or body should have a standing at least 2 years. The theme of the dance or the story and dialogue of the drama should be new and must be a work of originality by an artiste who should be a native of this territory either by birth or by domicile.
l.	Scheme of Financial Assistance for Cultural Organization for holding conference, seminar, symposium, exhibition, festival, competition etc.	Rs.10,000/- annually	—	—	The institution applying for grant should have a standing of at least 2 years in the field. An institution/organization organizing a seminar, symposium etc., under the scheme shall not invite foreign delegates without obtaining the prior approval of the Government.
m.	Scheme of financial assistance for publication of manuscripts/research journals.	Rs.10,000/-	—	—	The book/or journal proposed to be published shall pertain to one or more of the cultural subjects, such as language, literature, philosophy, religion, history, music, dance, drama and other fine arts etc. The language medium shall be Tamil/Malayalam/Telugu/ English/French. Research works like thesis, dissertation or original work based on personal research and critical study (though not intended for obtaining any degree) may also be considered for grants. Works of fiction shall not be considered.
n.	Scheme for the award of fellowship to research scholars for pursuing higher studies/research on subject relating to art or culture	Financial assistance for a period of 2 years granted to a whole-time scholar to work on subjects such as language, literature, history, music, dance, drama, fine arts etc	Below 35 years of age	—	The scholar to be selected shall be less that 35 years of age and should possess a M.A. degree of a recognized university. The scholar should study the subject such as language, literature, history, music, dance, drama, fine arts etc. in a recognized university/Institution under the guidance of an eminent scholar as may be approved by the Government. The study shall be either in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, French or English. The duration may however be extended for one more year in exceptional cases. The assistance is admissible only to those who are recommended by eminent scholars in the respective field through the University/Institution concerned. The assistance is renewable every year, based on the performance of the scholar. The assistance may be withdrawn, if the progress of the work is found to be unsatisfactory.
o.	Promotion of open air cultural activities	Rs. 3,500/-	—	—	Artists of Therukoothu, Bommalattam, Karagattam, Silambattam, etc.,

TABLE - 2

Sl. No.	Name of the Schemes	Central/State	Details of the Scheme	Target group	Benefit provided
1.	Improvement of Official Language	State	Various functions like Birth Anniversaries of: Poet Vanidasan Poet Tamil Oli Poet Puduvai Sivam Thiruvalluvar Vizha Republic Day Tableau Distribution of Various Awards like: Malayala Ratna Telugu Ratna Tamizh Mamani Puduvai Kalaimamani Honorarium for the Awardee’s Tholkappiar award Nehru Children literary prize Kamban Pugazh literary prize Conduct of seminars, training classes, Vizhas, honouring of writers by presenting various awards etc.To strengthen the Directorate of Art& Culture adequately, to cope-up with the increased work load owing to rapid development activities, Besides creation, filling up the posts will be made.	Scholars/Artistes in the field of Dance, Drama, Music Painting and Sculpture and Folk arts	Financial assistance and cash award
2.	GIA to Pondicherry Institute of Linguistic and Culture/ Bharathiar Palkalaikoodam	State	BPK a multi art complex strives to conserve and enrich the aesthetic, heritage and traditional art and cultural from GIA. To impart Education at graduate and post graduate level in various arts such as dance, music, and fine arts etc. by Bharathiar Palkalaikoodam to which grant-in-aid is being released every year. Release of GIA to Puducherry Institute of Linguistic and Culture for conduct of Research projects in linguistic studies, ethnographic studies, seminars/workshops, in-service training bringing out research publications, establishment of language laboratory and Establishment of cultural museums.	Students Research Scholars	Grant-in-Aid
3.	Financial Assistance to persons distinguished in letters, arts and performing visual arts	State	Monthly financial assistance to Indigent artistes and for settlement of arrears Monthly Financial Assistance to aged Tamil Scholars Financial assistance of Rs. 1500/- is provided to the indigent Tamil Scholars whose annual income does not exceed Rs.24,000/- per annum and age not less than 58 years. Financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 1000/- per month is given to the artists who are in indigent circumstances.	Artistes under Indigents in circumstances	Grant–in-Aid
4.	Financial Assistance to INTACH	State	An amount of Rs.5.25 lakhs will be offered as a GIA to M/s. INTACH thereby protecting the old Heritage building.To preserve the remnants of the unique Architectural Heritage of Puducherry the International Trust for Art & Culture Heritage (INTACH), Puducherry is actively working for the protection of unique Architectural Heritage of Puducherry, Grant-in-aid being given to M/s.INTACH	—	Grant–in-Aid
5.	Expansion & Improvement of Libraries/ Archives in the Union Territory of Puducherry + SCSP	State	Conserving the records and their preservation for posterity. To provide necessary archival guidelines to all the departments/Government undertakings/Local bodies on the need to conserve the records and their preservation for posterity.To improve reading habit of the public by opening new branch libraries, reading rooms and improvements to the existing libraries in all the regions.	Reading Public	-
6.	Contribution to Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation	State	Mutual Grant for the Improvement of Libraries will be given based on the grant of Raja Rammohan Roy Lobrary Foundation . To purchase books, Computers, furniture, typewriters etc to Romain Rolland Library and all other Public and Branch Libraries of this Union Territory, Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata is releasing grant annually on matching grant pattern basis.	- do -	-
7.	Improvement to Museum / Research Centre & Strengthening of Nehru Science Centre	State	Celebration of Birth and Death Anniversaries of: Bharathidasan Bharathiar Subbaiah Saraswathi Subbaiah To set up new museums and to improve existing museums. Collection and preservation of archaeological items/ Antiques. To undertake the educational activities in the museum. Award of doctoral fellowship in honour of poet Bharathiar and Bharathidasan.	Scholars and Research students	Remuneration to the Artists/ Fellowship grant to the students.
8.	Esst. And Promotion of Cultural Activities/ GIA to Voluntary Cultural Institutions + SCSP	State	Artist performing Open air old traditional arts which are in dying stage such as “Puppetry, Therukoothu, Karagam, Kaavadiattam, Kalari payatt and Silambamm” will be assisted financially a sum Rs.3,500/- per troupe/programme. To preserve and promote different classical/folk art forms of our country and to create such awareness among the people about the cultural heritage by celebrating various cultural programmes with local artists and artists of other states and by sponsoring artists to other states/countries and to honour eminent artists with award and titles.The objective is to encourage the troupes/artists performing old traditional arts.	Voluntary Cultural Indigents Artistes	Financial assistance

Functioning of Romain Rolland Library And Branch Libraries

Romain Rolland Library, Puducherry.
Dr. S.R. Ranganathan Public Library, Karaikal.
Public Library, Mahe.
Public Library, Yanam.

There are 54 Branch libraries in Puducherry Region and 18 Branch libraries in Karaikal Region, 3 Branch libraries in Mahe and 2 Branch libraries in Yanam.

To become a member in Libraries

The reader/user who reside in the area where the Libraries are existing may obtain application form for admission and fill up the same and may be got attested by the Puducherry State Government Gazetted Officers Evidences of residing in the particular area should be produced to the Librarian concerned along with the application form for admission. The Romain Rolland Library is the Union Territory Central Public Library which provides for books and periodicals of different languages of South India, besides English and Hindi.

The working hours of Romain Rolland & Branch Libraries is as follows:-

Romain Rolland Library : 8.A.M. to 8 P.M All week days except Monday
Branch Libraries is as follows:
Tuesday to Sunday Forenoon 9.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M.
Afternoon 4.00 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.
(Monday Holiday)
The Librarian has to verify and ensure that the applicant has been an old member or a new member.
After verification, the applicant can pay the admission fee and get the Borrowers Ticket immediately from the Librarian.

Membership fee

Rs.25/- (Rupees Twenty Five only) towards the Caution Money Deposit (Refundable) for 2 Borrowers Ticket will be collected from a member in all the following Libraries.

Puducherry Romain Rolland Library
Karaikal-Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, Public Library
Mahe-Public Library
Yanam-Public Library
The renewal charge/annual subscription of Rs.5/- (Rupees five only) will be collected in addition to the above Caution Money Deposit (Non-Refundable Amount).

Functions of Library

Periodical Section

Users may read all the Newspapers and periodicals/magazines available in the library.

Book Issues

Books can be borrowed by a member after paying a Caution Money Deposit of Rs.25/- and Rs.5/- as Renewal Charge.
In Branch Libraries, a member has to pay Rs.10/- as Caution Money Deposit and Rs.5/- as Renewal Charge.

Reference Section

All the costly and rare collection books have been obtained from various sources and kept ready for reading purpose wthin the library premises.

Xerox Copy

Readers may take the copy of the document they read from the Xerox Section of the Library concerned.

Indian Administrative Exam, Preparatory Section

A separate section is being functioned in public libraries for the preparation and for appearing the entrance examinations for all the Competitive Examinations like IAS, IPS etc.

To become a member in Branch Library Practicability

Rs.10/- will be collected as Caution Money Deposit (refundable) for two books against the issue of two borrowers ticket.
Rs.5/- will be collected as renewal charge/annual subscription (not refundable).
Every year the borrowers tickets can be got renewed by producing suitable evidence of staying in their particular area by paying the fees prescribed by the member.
A member can be enrolled in the library where the library is situated in their area.The member of the branch library can also become a member in their Regional Library by paying the fees prescribed.
As per the needs and necessities of the people of Puducherry in the villages and urban areas of all the four regions new Branch Libraries are yet to be opened. The libraries situated at the Communal Head Quarters will be strengthened above the level of Branch Libraries.
Moreover the libraries functioning from the rental building will be shifted to Government building. Steps are being taken to procure land from the Government for the construction of own building for new branch libraries.

Museums

Puducherry Museum

Mahakavi Bharathiyar Memorial Museum Cum Library and Research Centre
Pavendar Bharathidasan Memorial Museum cum Research Centre
Makkal Thalaivar V. Subbaiah-Saraswathi Subbaiah Social, Scientific Research Centre cum Library

These Museums are kept opened to public from Tuesday to Sunday (Morning 9.40 to 1.00 Noon & 2.00 P.M. to 5.20 P.M.),Monday weekly holiday.

G.B.L In Puducherry Region

No.	Place	Pin Code
1	Abishegapakkam	605 007
2	Alankuppam	605 111
3	Ariyankuppam	605 007
4	Ariyur	605 102
5	Bahour	607 402
6	Chettipet	605 501
7	Embalam	605 106
8	Eripakkam	605 106
9	Kalapet	605 014
10	Kalitheerthalkuppam	605 607
11	Kalmandapam	605 016
12	Karayamputhur	605 106
13	Karikalampakkam	605 007
14	Kirumampakkam	607 402
15	Kizhur	605 106
16	Koodapakkam	605 501
17	Kuppam	605 507
18	Kuruvinatham	607 402
19	Kuyavarpalayam	605 013
20	Lawspet	605 008
21	Maducarai	605 106
22	Manappattu	607 402
23	Mel Parikalpet	607 402
24	Mudaliarpet	605 004
25	Murungapakkam	605 004
26	Muthialpet	605 003
27	Muthirapalayam	605 009
28	Nallavadu	605 007
29	Nethaji Nagar	605 001
30	Nettapakkam	605 106
31	Pakkamudayanpet	605 008
32	Pannithittu	607 402
33	Peria Veerampattinam	605 007
34	Pillaiyarkuppam	605 502
35	Pitchaiveerampet	605 010
36	Poornankuppam	605 007
37	Reddiarpalayam	605 010
38	Sedarapet	605 101
39	Seliamedu	607 402
40	Sellipet	605 501
41	Shanmugapuram	605 009
42	Sivarandagam (Manakuppam)	605 106
43	Sorapet	605 501
44	Suthukeni	605 501
45	T.N. Palayam	605 007
46	Thengaithittu	605 004
47	Thirubuvanai	605 107
48	Thirukanji	605 110
49	Thirukkanur	605 501
50	Thiruvandarkoil	605 102
51	Thondamanatham	605 502
52	Uruvaiyar	605 110
53	Veemacoundanpalayam	605 009
54	Villianur	605 110
55	Romain Rollandlib	605 001

G.B.L In Karaikal Region

No.	Place	Pin Code
1	Akkaraivattam	609602
2	Ambagharathur	609 601
3	Karaikal (Public Lib.)	609 602
4	Karaikal Medu	609 605
5	Kottucherry	609 609
6	Kurumbagaram	609 603
7	Melayur	609 607
8	Nallambal	609 601
9	Nedungadu	609 603
10	Nehru Nagar	609 605
11	Neravy	609 604
12	Ozhiapathu	609 604
13	Poovam	609 609
14	Sellur	609 607
15	Sethur	609 601
16	Surakudy	609 607
17	T.R. Pattinam	609 606
18	Thirunallar	609 607
19	Vizhidiyur	609 607