Young artists in Bihar may soon have access to professional theatre training within the state, with the Centre giving its consent for the establishment of a new campus of the National School of Drama (NSD), Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said on Tuesday.
The decision followed a request made by Choudhary to the Central government. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for approving the proposal.
NSD campus to boost theatre training in Bihar
The proposed campus is expected to provide young artists with opportunities for professional theatre training, stagecraft, performing arts and advanced research without having to travel outside the state for such programmes.
The Chief Minister said Bihar has a strong cultural heritage and a long-standing tradition of folk theatre and performing arts. He highlighted the state's association with personalities including Kalidasa, Ramvriksha Benipuri and Bhikhari Thakur.
According to Choudhary, the NSD campus could also help connect Bihar's traditional folk theatre with contemporary theatre practices and create stronger institutional support for artists.
Bihar to provide land and construction support
The Bihar government will take steps to provide suitable land for the proposed NSD campus. It will also bear 50 percent of the approved cost of building construction as the state's share.
The state government has said it will extend administrative support to facilitate the early establishment of the institution.
Choudhary also pointed to the Bihar Sangeet Natak Akademi, established by the state government for the preservation, promotion and coordination of theatre arts. He said the NSD campus would strengthen these ongoing efforts.
Focus on young talent and cultural heritage
The Chief Minister described the proposed campus as more than the setting up of another institution, saying it would support Bihar's cultural heritage and young talent while contributing to the future of modern theatre.
He expressed confidence that cooperation between the Central and state governments would help establish the institution and further strengthen Bihar's position on the national theatre map.
The proposed NSD campus is expected to give artists in Bihar greater access to structured training and research opportunities while creating a closer link between the state's traditional performing arts and modern theatre.