Bhubaneswar, Nov 1 (UNI) Odisha government has decided to establish an outreach centre of the National School of Drama (NSD) in Bhubaneswar, Minister for Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Suryabanshi Suraj said on Friday.
In the initial phase, it will operate temporarily at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre here.
The Minister said the outreach centre of NSD marks a prestigious milestone for Odisha, offering an opportunity for students aspiring to build careers in theatre and acting.
He emphasized that the outreach centre of NSD in Bhubaneswar will play a significant role in promoting and expanding Odia theatre, bringing regional narratives and traditional drama into the national and global spotlight.
The decision to set up an NSD outreach centre in Odisha was taken after consultations between Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Culture Minister Suraj.
Highlighting the importance of Odia theatre, Suraj said, “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. The NSD outreach centre in Bhubaneswar will catalyze the growth of Odia theatre productions”.
“The Bhubaneswar outreach centre of NSD will provide high-quality training, allowing students to represent Odisha on national and international platforms through theatrical performances”, the Minister said.
NSD was established in 1959 in Delhi, and since 1975, it has operated as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The renowned actor Paresh Rawal is currently its Chairperson and distinguished Odia actor Chittaranjan Tripathy serves as its Director. Prominent actors from Odisha, such as Bijay Mohanty, Ajit Das and Surya Mohanty, are among NSD’s notable alumni.
With the establishment of an outreach centre of NSD in Odisha, there is a vision to widely promote Odia culture, especially the rich Odia theatre tradition, the Minister said.
