by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex institution for performing arts, has invited applications for its prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2024 and 2025, with the last date set as July 14.
In a landmark shift, the Akademi has made the nomination process more democratic, allowing artists to nominate themselves—a first since its inception in 1953. This change, welcomed by the art community, is expected to offer greater representation to folk and marginalized artists, making the selection process more inclusive and transparent.
The awards, regarded as the highest national honour in music, dance, and drama, are conferred by the autonomous Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The institution also runs premier academies such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (Imphal) and Kathak Kendra (Delhi), and manages five regional centres including the Chhau Centre in Chandankyari and Kutiyattam Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Akademi, headquartered at Ravindra Bhavan, New Delhi, is also known for initiatives like the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for young artists and fellowships for eminent performers and scholars. Its extensive archive of audio-visual materials serves as a valuable resource for research in performing arts.
