INDIAN COUNCIL OF CULTURAL RELATIONS

INDIAN COUNCIL OF CULTURAL RELATIONS

In Indian council for cultural relations (ICCR) functions as the principal agency for promoting India’s cultural relations with foreign countries. Formed in 1950s, the ICCR is a corporate body under the Ministry of External Affairs. With Headquarters at New Delhi, It has six regional offices at Bangalore, Bombay, Caucutta, Chandigarh, Madras and Varanasi. For promotion greater awareness Calcutta, Chandigarh, madras and Varanasi. For promoting greater awareness and appreciation of the Indian cultural heritage, the Council has set up cultural centres in outside India.

The ICCR regularly invites distinguished scholars, artistes, wirers and intellectuals from abroad to meet their counterparts in India and to participate in symposia and to lecture on different subjects. It also sends Indian scholars and performing artistes to travel abroad to present the spirit of India’s culture and the richness of its diversity before international audiences. Consequent upon the Council taking over additional work from the Department of culture. The performing delegations from abroad are invited to   perform in India under the bilateral cultural exchange programmer.

Apart from organizing various foreign film festivals the ICCFR organizes exhibitions on foreign art and sculpture, handicrafts and graphics, etc. in India. The Council sends vesting professors to collaborate in the teaching and research programmes of foreign universities relating to Indian studies and Indian languages. The Azad Memorial lecture was instituted by the ICCR in 1958 – 1958).additionally, the council also administers the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for the promotion of peace and international understanding instituted by the government In 1964.

The ICCR is now participating in the diverse cultural activities. It is coordinating the cultural exchange programmes with the countries which have cultural agreements and cultural exchange programmes with India. At present, India has cultural agreements with 72 countries and 2-3 year cultural exchange programmes with 54 countries.

Since the organization of the first festival of Indian, held in U.K. in 1982, the ICCR has been playing vital role in the selection of various art objects exhibited and programmers organized in the festivals of India held in the U.K, franc, the USA, Japan, etc. the ICCR is also maintaining a library having a very large collection of books on Indian history and culture and also making publications.