The NIPA has been active in the field of Performing Arts since 1985. Among its early activities was holding of the National Theater Workshop, in March, 1985 at Kalol in Gujarat. It was at this workshop that NIPA was formally inaugurated. In the same year, NIPA sought membership of International Amateur Theater Association (AITA / IATA), and obtained the same in early 1987. By extending their affil
iation NIPA is promoting, as its associate member, to 26 State Theater organizations. The National Institute of Performing Arts was registered as a Trust, in February, 1989 at Ahmedabad and NIPA was registered as a Society, in February 1999 at New Delhi. Meanwhile, it has continued to promote various facets of amateur theatrical activities in the country and abroad. It has organized 15 International Festival so far. The first India Theater Olympiad was organized at Chandigarh in February, 1987. Besides various national groups, a number of Asian and European countries also participated in the meet. A highlight of the Olympiad was the reception accorded to the delegates by late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the then Hon'ble Prime Minister. Subsequently, three more Theater Olympiads were held in 1991, 1993 and 1996. In addition to the Olympiad, NIPA also organized International Children's Theater Festival in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008. On a smaller scale NIPA arranged a joint theatrical performance with Finland in 1991 and another festival of Children's plays from groups from Assam. It has also organized the National Children's Theater Festival in January, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006 at New Delhi. For the first time NIPA organized Children's Theater Festival of all seven North-Eastern states at Shillong (Meghalaya) in 2001, Dimapur (Nagaland) in 2002 Imphal (Manipur) in 2004 Agartala (Tripura) in 2006 Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) in 2006 and Imphal (Manipur) in 2008. NIPA has organised number of Street Plays in the states of Assam, Manipur & Nagaland in the year 2006-07, 2007-08. NIPA participated in Thirteen theatre events outside India. NIPA has a dream "Project for Amateur Artists" NIPA, being the National center of AITA/ IATA, a corporate body of UNESCO, is also planning:
(a) to have close links with the projects of UNESCO in India. (b) activities round the year on social / national issues. (c) National debate twice in a year on current issues of national importance related to art and culture. (d) Dissemination of information through the medium of publication. Our first publication is “Down Memory Lane”. Other books are also in pipeline. NIPA & Lok Kala Manch observed World Dance Day on 20th April 2009 for the first time. NIPA has also joined International Dance Council CID UNESCO, Paris.
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