§1What this business is
The business recruits and rehearses local artists, prepares costumes and props, arranges sound, lights and stage, promotes the shows and performs at venues, hotels, festivals and private events. It gives local talent a stage and lets residents and tourists see the region's folk dances, music and traditions.
Capacity: 200 shows a year; sales ₹40.00 lakh.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A performer or cultural organiser with links to folk artists and to hotels and event planners.
Who it is not for
Someone without a feel for performance or who cannot manage a group of artists on the road.
Advantages
- Tourists and hotels want local cultural experiences
- Festivals, weddings and government events need performers
- Keeps folk traditions alive and employs local artists
- Own sound, light and generator cut hire costs
Drawbacks
- Bookings are seasonal and event-driven
- Large wage bill for artists
- Travel on hill roads with equipment is costly
- Sales in the profile are below its break-even
Skills you need
- Choreography and stage direction
- Managing artists
- Event logistics
- Selling shows to hotels and organisers
Why difficulty 3/5: Needs strong artist networks and steady bookings; income is event-driven.
§3Market
Who buys
- Hotels and resorts
- Festival and fair organisers
- Government departments and tourism boards
- Wedding and corporate event hosts
How it sells
- Direct tie-ups with hotels and event planners
- Ticketed public shows
- Online and offline promotion
Good to know
- The profile plans a feedback loop after each show to keep programmes fresh for returning audiences.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sound system and speakers | 1 set | ₹0.75 lakh |
| Lighting equipment including stage lights | 1 set | ₹0.50 lakh |
| Audio-visual equipment (projectors, screens) | 1 set | ₹0.30 lakh |
| Generator | 1 set | ₹1.00 lakh |
| Stage and performance area set-up | 1 set | ₹0.20 lakh |
| Seating (chairs, benches) | 1 set | ₹0.30 lakh |
| Decorations and props | 1 set | ₹0.15 lakh |
| Transport vehicle for equipment and artists | 1 | ₹1.00 lakh |
| Security and crowd barriers | 1 set | ₹0.10 lakh |
| Ticketing and payment system | 1 set | ₹0.15 lakh |
| Walkie-talkies | 1 set | ₹0.10 lakh |
| First aid and medical equipment | 1 set | ₹0.10 lakh |
From: Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Cultural Shows
- Costumes, props and make-upmade or sourced for each show theme; the profile puts raw materials at ₹4.00 lakh a year
§5Licences & registration
- Event permission from the local municipal or district authority for each venue
- Fire safety approval for indoor shows
- Police permission for crowd control at large events
- Udyam and GST registration
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP covers service projects up to ₹20 lakh; MUDRA suits sound and light equipment; CGTMSE backs the loan without collateral.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: DUY profile total ₹15.80 lakh: land and building ₹7.00 lakh, equipment ₹6.05 lakh (₹4.65 lakh items incl. generator ₹1.00 lakh, vehicle for equipment and artists ₹1.00 lakh, sound ₹0.75 lakh, stage lights ₹0.50 lakh, projectors ₹0.30 lakh, seating ₹0.30 lakh, stage ₹0.20 lakh; tax and transport ₹0.93 lakh; wiring ₹0.47 lakh), furniture ₹1.55 lakh, pre-operative ₹0.40 lakh, working capital ₹0.80 lakh. Promoter ₹3.95 lakh, bank ₹11.85 lakh.
Working capital: Working capital ₹0.80 lakh — costumes, travel and promotion between shows.
Year not printed on the DUY (Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana) profile — check current prices before you buy.
§8Export potential
A local service business — not an export business.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Cancelled events
- Artists leaving
- Accidents while travelling
- Weather spoiling outdoor shows
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working cultural shows (folk performance company) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Event permission from the local municipal or district authority for each venue, Fire safety approval for indoor shows), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Cultural Shows (Folk Performance Company)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.