SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI

- Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, is a pioneer in creation of modern India that led politically to India's freedom in 1947.
- The ephemeral quality of the arts, and the need for their preservation led to the adapting of a democratic system in which the common man had the opportunity to learn, practise and propagate the art.
- In 1945, Asiatic Society of Bengal submitted a proposal for the creation of a National Cultural Trust consisting of three academies - an Academy of Dance, Drama and Music, an Academy of Letters and an Academy of Art after independence.
- These Conferences conferences convened by the Government of India finally recommended the creation of three national academies ; an Academy of Dance, Drams and Music, an Academy of Letters and an Academy of Art after independence.
- The National Academy of Dance, Drama and Music, named Sangeet Natak Akademi, was the first of these entities to be established by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, headed by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, signed on 31st May, 1952 and inaugurated by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
- In 1961, Sangeet Natak Akademi was reconstituted by the Government as a society and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (as amended in 1957).
- These functions are set down in the Akademi's Memorandum of Association, adopted at its registration as a society on 11th September, 1961.
- The Akademi has worked towards building up a unified structure of support for the practice of music, dance and drama in India encompassing traditional and modern forms, and urban as well as rural environments.
- The festivals of music, dance and drama presented or promoted by the Akademi are held all over India.
- The great masters of the performing arets have been elected as Fellows of the Akademi.
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards conferred annually on eminent artists and scholars are considered the most coveted honours in the field of performing arts.
- Thousands of institutions across the country, including many in the remote areas, engaged in teaching or promotion of music, dance and theatre have received financial assistance for their work from the Akademi, as do researchers, authors and publishers in relevant disciplines.
- It has a large archive of audio and video tapes, 16-mm films, photographs and transparencies and remains the single most important resource for researchers in the field of performing arts of India.
- The Adademi's Gallary of Musical Instruments has more than 600 instruments of prominence and been the source of published documentation over the years.
- The Akademi establishes and looks after institutions and projects of national importance in the field of performing arts.
- The Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy in Imphal, the permier institution in Manipuri dance and music established in 1954, is the first of these institutions.
- In 1959, the Akademi established the National School of Drama and in 1964, the Lathak Kendra, both being based in Delhi.
- The Akademi's other projects of national importance are in Kutiyattam theatre of Kerals, commenced in 1991 and recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2001.
- The project on Chhau dance of Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal began in 1994.
- The project support to Sattriya music, dance , theatre and allied arts of Assam was started in 2002.
- Being the apex body, the Akademi also advises and assists the Government of India in formulating and implementing policies and projects in the field.
- It fosters cultural contacts nationally and internationally.
- The Akademi has held exchibitions and major festivals in foreign countries.