National School of Drama

The National School of Drama was founded in April 1959 as an independent agency under the administration of the former Education department. It is one of the country’s biggest theatre training schools. The Institute has progressed on various levels throughout the decades and has fast growth of its operations across the nation. It has created several excellent performers, filmmakers, copywriters, composers, artists, and educators who perform in theatre, cinema, and broadcast and have won numerous worldwide prizes. It was announced university status in 2005, and perhaps it was cancelled in 2011. The current head of the National School of Drama is Paresh Rawal.

History

The academy’s beginnings can be attributed to a conference in 1954 where the concept of a sovereign entity for theatre was discussed. In 1955, a drafting system was introduced, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which Jawaharlal Nehru directed, began developing designs for the university. Simultaneously, with the help of UNESCO, the Bharatiya Natya Sangh created the ‘Asian Theatre Institute’  on January 20, 1958, and the ‘Asian Theatre Institute in July 1958.

It turned into an independent entity in 1975, under the old Education board with the title ‘National School of Drama,’ and moved to its present location in May 1975, at Bahawalpur Palace.  The School’s inaugural Theatre Carnival, ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav,’ was conducted in 1999 and is held every year in the middle of January.

National School Of Drama Eligibility

The following are the National School of Drama eligibility requirements that candidates must meet in order to become eligible for the NSD 2022 Exam:

• Age criteria: must be between the ages of 18 and 30. For SC/ST candidates, a 5-year age limit relaxation would be granted.

• Qualifications: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in any discipline.

• Experience: Applicants must have performed in at least six different theatre shows and confirm their participation in those plays in the form of a document.

• Working Expertise: Candidates are supposed to be able to communicate in Hindi and English.

• Letter of recommendation: Candidates must obtain a letter of recommendation from at least one theatre professional.

National School Of Drama Courses

The National School of Drama courses are mentioned below:

Dramatic Arts Diploma Programs

Dramatic Arts Diploma Programs are three-year full-time programmes. The National School of Drama offers a full-time three-year Diploma Program for those interested in pursuing a career in theatre.  The course’s main objective is to train students for a career in theatre. To do this, a wide range of professional skills must be created and a knowledge base. While all fields of study are evaluated independently, and a high grade of work is expected in each, the course’s main goal is to develop the conceptual principle of artistic imagination and its manifestation within a group’s collective framework.

Syllabus

The School’s Syllabus Training is based on a complete, comprehensive, and meticulously organised syllabus that addresses each element of theatre from concept to completion for three years, with the results put to the test in front of a large audience. The syllabus considers the methods of prominent theatre figures who have inspired modern theatre in all of its forms and manifestations. It covers broad-based teaching in Indian and Western classical dramatic traditions, modern theatre themes in India and abroad, traditional and folk theatre in India, and specialised training on Indian theatre traditions.

1st Year: Getting Started in Acting

Introduction to Theatre Design and Techniques

History, Literature, and Aesthetics of Theatre

There are two semesters in the first year. The first semester (July–December) focuses on the fundamentals of acting, theatre techniques, design, theatre history, literature, and aesthetics. The same subjects are examined in depth in the second semester.

2nd year

Second-year specialisation in acting and theatre strategies and design theatre Historique, literature, and aesthetics

Students choose their field of specialisation in the second year. This year is split into two semesters: the third and fourth semesters. Theatre History, Literature & Aesthetics, Acting (Specialisation), and Theatre Techniques and Design are all covered in the third semester (specialisation). The fourth semester focuses more on literature, aesthetics and theatre history, acting (specialisation) and theatre techniques and design (specialisation).

3rd Year: Continues with the specialisation selected within 2nd year

The third-year course is designed to provide students with advanced instruction in their chosen field: acting OR theatre strategies and design.

Conclusion

The article briefly describes the National School of drama, founded in April 1959. This school has given acting and drama a high level in society. In a society where acting was not considered good, having a school for acting is a big deal. After establishing the National School of Drama, the status of acting and actors became high in the eyes of the people. This is proof that today millions of people go to the theatre to watch films and dramas. Along with the entertainment of the people, acting and drama have also been presenting the country’s history in front of the people in an exciting way. Acting can also be considered a mode of communication.