A call for the establishment of a Sangeet Natak Akademi in Himachal Pradesh has been raised by the state’s theatre and performing arts community.
Speaking at a theatre symposium held at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla on Saturday evening, renowned theatre director Kedar Thakur urged the state government to send a formal recommendation to the Centre for setting up the Akademi.
He emphasized that Himachal’s cultural heritage includes distinctive folk theatre forms such as Karyala, Bhandra, Thoda, Bhagat, Dhaja, Swang, and Haran, along with traditional dances like Kulluvi Nati and Kinnauri folk dances.
Thakur underlined the need for regular documentation, research, theatre festivals, and workshops to nurture and promote these art forms.
He questioned why such an institution has not yet been established in the state, especially when neighbouring states and even the Union Territory of Chandigarh already have functional Sangeet Natak Akademis.
Thakur emphasized the urgent need for an autonomous institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Himachal’s rich folk traditions and performing arts. “Since this Akademi would be funded by the Centre, it would not impose any financial burden on the state,” he said.
“Himachal’s representation on national and international platforms is currently negligible,” Thakur observed.
He proposed that the Gaiety Theatre in Shimla could serve as the central hub for the Akademi, which could function in collaboration with the national Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministry of Culture.
“This is a low-cost, high-impact proposal that can elevate Himachal’s theatre scene to a global stage,” he added.
The symposium was organized by Emotions Global Theatre Art. The discussion was chaired by veteran theatre personality Shrinivas Joshi. Theatre scholars Bhupender Sharma, Bharti Kuthiala, and Ajay Garg also presented papers on theatre arts.