Odisha's Minister for Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Suryabanshi Suraj informed on Friday that the Odisha government has sanctioned the establishment of an outreach centre for the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in Bhubaneswar.
Initially, the outreach centre will operate from the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar.
The centre is poised to offer aspiring theatre and acting students in the region an invaluable opportunity to pursue their craft under NSD’s guidance.
"The NSD outreach centre in Bhubaneswar will serve as a catalyst for the growth of Odia theatre productions," Suraj remarked, highlighting the centre’s pivotal role in enhancing and promoting Odia theatre.
The decision was reached following consultations between Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Culture Minister Suraj, both of whom expressed a shared vision to bring traditional Odia narratives and performances to national and international stages.
Suraj stressed the importance of Odia drama, noting, "Odisha’s rich history, literature, art, and culture have been carried forth through the art of drama, which has narrated the region’s tales for generations."
With a legacy dating back to its establishment in 1959 in Delhi, NSD has long been a bastion of India’s theatrical heritage.
Since 1975, it has functioned as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
The newly approved outreach centre in Odisha will enhance the institution’s reach, fostering the growth of Odia theatre and furthering regional culture on the global stage.
The outreach centre aims to train and nurture local talent, providing them with a platform to showcase Odisha’s cultural legacy across India and beyond.
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