Indian Council For Cultural Relations(ICCR) is about a communion of cultures, a creative dialogue with other nations. It was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India's first Education Minister. The Council helps formulate and implement policies pertaining to India's external cultural relations, to foster mutual understanding between India and other countries and to promote cultural exchanges with other peoples.
ICCR mission is to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other nations and peoples. To address this, a broad range of activities that includes organizing cultural festivals, both in India and overseas, financially supporting a number of cultural institutions across India, as well as sponsoring individual performers in dance, music, photography, theatre, and the visual arts. To showcase the best of Indian performing and visual arts, the Council empanels performing artists who are proficient in their field. Empanelled artistes receive sponsorship from the Council when they perform internationally.