Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board | Department of Art and Culture

The Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board was created as per G.O (Ms) No. 70, Tourism and Culture (CA 2) Department, Dated 26.04.2007 with a view to safeguard the folk arts and to provide social security and various welfare schemes to economic upliftment of folk artistes.

Apart from the art forms mentioned in Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act 1982, the artists involved in performing and employed in training the 100 folk art forms mentioned in the book Tamizhaga Naattar Nigazhthu Kalaigal – Kalangiyam are also considered for registering as members in the Tamil Nadu Folk Artiste’s Welfare Board.

In G.O (Ms) No. 171, Tourism and Culture Department, dated 26.07.2012, Government sanctioned a sum of Rs.10.00 lakh for Administrative Expenses and Rs.25.00 lakh for welfare schemes totally a sum of Rs.35.00 lakh as Block Grant.

In G.O (Ms) No. 132, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, dated 17.09.2019, the members registered in Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board are eligible to avail the financial assistance as given to the registered members of other Unorganized Sector Workers Welfare Boards. Accordingly, financial assistance for purchase of Spectacles, Educational assistance, Marriage Assistance, Assistance for Delivery of Child, Miscarriage / Termination of Pregnancy, Natural Death / Funeral Expenses, Accidental Death financial assistance are being given to the registered folk artistes.

The folk artistes who have completed the age of 18 years can enrol as member of the welfare board. Membership fee Rs.100/- has been collected from each member. Renewal Fees Rs.10/- will be collected every two years and Rs.20/- will be collected for the loss of the membership ID card. Registration are to be done in Folk Artiste Welfare Board Office at the Regional Art and Cultural Centres in their jurisdiction districts. In Chennai District, folk artistes can register their names in Folk Artiste Welfare Board Office at the Directorate of Art and Culture.

In Tamil Nadu, so farm 33,575 folk artistes have become members of the board. A sum of 1,39,41,132/-has been sanctioned towards various welfare schemes to 7,603 eligible folk artistes.

Details Required for Registration

1. Application along with proof of residence, age and family members (Ration card, Aadhar card etc.)
2. Artiste proof (V.A.O Certificate (or) academy certificates (or) certificate issued by Government or Quasi Government Departments)
3. Passport size photos - 3
4. Registration fee - Rs. 100/-
5. Photo proof of artiste participating in the programmes