National School of Drama

50 Years of Autonomy & Silver Jubilee of Bharat Rang Mahotsav

The National School of Drama (NSD) is one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India. Established in 1959 as a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, NSD became an independent institution in 1975. Registered as an autonomous organisation under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, it is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Over the past five decades, NSD has played a defining role in shaping contemporary Indian theatre through rigorous training and artistic excellence.

Theatre Training and Curriculum

NSD offers an intensive and well-structured three-year residential training programme, integrating theory with extensive practical work. The curriculum draws inspiration from the methodologies of renowned theatre practitioners and encompasses Sanskrit drama, modern Indian drama, traditional Indian theatre forms, Asian theatre traditions, and Western dramatic practices. Students actively participate in the production and performance of plays, ensuring holistic professional training.

Performing Wings of NSD

NSD Repertory Company

Established in 1964, the NSD Repertory Company provides a professional platform for the school’s graduates. Beginning with four artists—Shri Ramamurthy, Ms Meena Williams, Ms Sudha Shivpuri and Shri Om Shivpuri—it has grown into a major theatrical institution. The company stages contemporary, modern and experimental plays and hosts an annual summer theatre festival, showcasing both new and repertory productions.

Theatre-in-Education (TIE) Company

Founded on 16 October 1989, the Theatre-in-Education Company, popularly known as Sanskar Rang Toli, is one of India’s most significant theatre education initiatives. Comprising actor-teachers, it creates interactive, curriculum-based and age-appropriate productions for children. Since its inception, the TIE Company has performed over 800 shows of 26 plays, reaching more than 5.5 lakh children across India, along with educators and theatre enthusiasts.

Outreach and Traditional Theatre Initiatives

NSD’s Extension Programme, launched in 1978, decentralises theatre education through workshops conducted across India and neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, contributing to participants’ creative and emotional development.

The Traditional Theatre Project, initiated in 1980, bridges traditional and contemporary theatre by fostering creative collaborations between folk performers and modern theatre practitioners, ensuring the continuity of India’s rich theatrical heritage.

Publications and Theatre Literature

Through its Publication Unit, NSD contributes significantly to theatre scholarship by publishing textbooks, translations and research-based works. One of its notable publications, Rang Yatra, documents the history of the NSD Repertory Company since 1964. By 2010, the unit had published 82 books on drama and allied subjects.

Bharat Rang Mahotsav

As part of its ongoing commitment to theatre excellence, NSD organises Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India’s largest theatre festival, launched in 1999. The festival has reached its 25th edition, marking a major milestone in India’s theatrical landscape.

Commemorative Issue

To mark 50 years of autonomy of the National School of Drama and the Silver Jubilee of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India Post issues a complete set of two commemorative postage stamps, celebrating NSD’s enduring contribution to theatre education, performance and cultural enrichment in India.