Mishra holds dialogue with artists, vows to rebuild cultural landscape

Delhi’s Minister for Art, Culture, Language and Tourism, Kapil Mishra, on Wednesday held a special interactive meeting with eminent artists from diverse fields at the Delhi Secretariat, pledging renewed government focus on preserving and promoting the capital’s rich cultural heritage.

The gathering, attended by Padma awardees and senior practitioners of film, theatre, music and devotional arts, aimed to establish a direct dialogue between the government and the artistic community. Artists shared their concerns, offered suggestions and discussed ideas to foster Delhi as a thriving cultural hub.

“No nation or society can be complete without its art, culture and language, and making Delhi a leading centre in this domain is a top priority,” said Mishra. “In recent years, this sector has significantly declined, and this must be rectified.”

Mishra personally greeted and honoured the artists in the audience. He also invoked a historical anecdote about Napoleon being advised not to cut funding for the arts, underlining the sector’s importance even during times of crisis.

Among the key suggestions put forth by the artists were: organising cultural events in every legislative constituency to support emerging talent, building a dedicated cultural complex for artists from underprivileged backgrounds and launching a digital portal for artist registration and recognition.

The artists stressed the need for permanent cultural infrastructure in Delhi, noting that a strong foundation is vital for nurturing creative communities in a rapidly growing metropolis.

Responding to the feedback, Mishra announced that the government will host two to three major cultural festivals each year, giving both young and established artists opportunities to perform on larger platforms. He assured the gathering that their concerns would be addressed swiftly and effectively.

The minister also arranged a meeting between the artists and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. CM Gupta welcomed the group warmly and promised full cooperation from the government to support the arts.