Patna: The Centre has approved the establishment of a National School of Drama (NSD) campus in Bihar, with the state government set to provide suitable land and bear 50 per cent of the approved construction cost.
The decision is expected to expand access to professional theatre education in the state and provide young artists with opportunities in acting, stagecraft, performing arts and theatre research without having to travel outside Bihar for specialised training.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary welcomed the Centre’s approval and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for supporting the proposal.
Bihar to Provide Land, Bear 50% Construction Cost
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Bihar government is taking steps to identify and provide suitable land for the proposed campus.
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The state will also bear 50 per cent of the approved building construction cost as its share and provide administrative support to facilitate the establishment of the institution.
Key Points
- Centre has approved an NSD campus in Bihar.
- Bihar will provide suitable land for the campus.
- The state will bear 50% of the approved construction cost.
- Administrative support will be provided by the state government.
- The campus is expected to expand access to professional theatre training and research.
- Training areas are expected to include acting, stagecraft and performing arts.
Focus on Young Artists and Theatre Training
The proposed campus is expected to create institutional opportunities for aspiring artists within Bihar. It could provide structured professional training and help strengthen the state’s existing theatre and performing arts ecosystem.
The Chief Minister said the institution would give young artists access to professional training, stagecraft, performing arts and advanced research within the state.
The move is also expected to create stronger links between Bihar’s traditional folk theatre and contemporary theatre practices, while giving emerging artists greater access to formal training.
Building on Bihar’s Cultural Institutions
Bihar already has the Bihar Sangeet Natak Akademi, which supports the preservation and promotion of theatre and performing arts in the state.
The proposed NSD campus is expected to complement these existing efforts and provide a stronger institutional platform for theatre education and cultural activities.
Choudhary described the proposed campus as an investment in Bihar’s cultural heritage, young talent and the future of modern theatre. He also expressed confidence that Centre-state cooperation would strengthen Bihar’s presence on the national theatre map.
NSD’s Role in Theatre Education
The National School of Drama, headquartered in New Delhi, is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture. It was established by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959 as one of its constituent units and became an independent organisation in 1975.
The institution provides professional training in theatre and dramatic arts. Its three-year diploma programme, for instance, covers disciplines including acting, design and direction.
The proposed Bihar campus would therefore bring a major national-level theatre training institution closer to artists and aspiring performers in the state.
