National School of Drama (NSD) Out Reach Center to be Established in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has given approval for setting up of an outreach center of the National School of Drama (NSD) in Bhubaneswar. The center will initially operate temporarily at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Center in the city.

Announcing the decision, Odisha’s Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described it as a landmark development for the state. He underlined that the NSD social assistance center will offer valuable opportunities to students who want to pursue a career in theater and acting.

“This center will play a significant role in promoting Odia theater on both national and global stages, elevating our regional narratives and traditional drama forms,” ​​he said.

The establishment of the outreach center follows talks between Prime Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, which underlined the state’s commitment to expand cultural initiatives.

Touching on the importance of Odia theatre, he said: “Odisha’s rich heritage of history, literature, art and culture has been preserved and celebrated through drama, where the stories of the state have been told for generations. NSD support center in Bhubaneswar will be a catalyst for the growth of Odia theater productions.”

He added that the center will provide high quality education and enable students to represent Odisha on both national and international stages through theatre.

The National School of Drama, established in Delhi in 1959, became an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture of India in 1975. NSD, currently headed by famous actor Paresh Rawal as President and Odia actor Chittaranjan Tripathy as Director, has trained many notable artists, including famous Odia. Actors like Bijay Mohanty, Ajit Das and Surya Mohanty.

With the new NSD outreach centre, Odisha aims to further promote its rich cultural heritage, especially in the field of Odia theatre.