Nepal Academy of Music and Drama , Naxal, Kathmandu

Nepal Academy of Music and Drama Services

service

Autonomous Authority

Overview

Nepal Academy of Music and Drama (नेपाल सङ्गीत तथा नाट्य प्रज्ञा-प्रतिष्ठान) provides national-level services related to music, dance, drama, theatre, cultural research, artist development, and heritage preservation. Its work is carried out through seven departments and the Academy’s academic and administrative bodies.

Performing Arts Research

The Academy conducts and supports academic research on Nepal’s performing arts. Its research areas include folk music, classical and traditional music, dance, drama, theatre, and related cultural practices.

Research activities contribute to the study and preservation of artistic knowledge, performance traditions, cultural history, and the work of artists from different communities.

Cultural Documentation

The Academy documents musical, theatrical, dramatic, and dance traditions found across Nepal. Documentation work supports the preservation of cultural practices and creates records that may be used for academic, institutional, and cultural purposes.

The Audio Visual Department supports the Academy’s work related to audio-visual materials and cultural records.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

Protecting Nepal’s performing arts heritage is one of the Academy’s principal responsibilities. It supports efforts to preserve folk, classical, traditional, dramatic, theatrical, and dance practices.

The Academy may provide technical and financial support for the preservation of endangered folk traditions. Its preservation work also includes research, documentation, publications, and cultural programs.

Artist Training and Development

The Academy organizes training programs and workshops for artists and cultural practitioners. These activities focus on artistic practice, professional development, cultural knowledge, and interaction among participants working in different fields of the performing arts.

Scholarships may also be provided to support artists and artistic development.

Festivals and Cultural Programs

Festivals, performances, workshops, and cultural events form part of the Academy’s regular institutional work. These programs provide platforms for music, dance, drama, and theatre while supporting participation by artists and cultural groups.

National programs also help present artistic traditions from different parts of Nepal.

Support for Folk Music and Traditions

The Department of Folk Music works with Nepal’s folk musical traditions. Its activities are connected with research, preservation, performance, documentation, and support for cultural practices that may face the risk of decline.

The Academy’s authority to support endangered folk traditions allows it to provide institutional, technical, and financial assistance where required.

Classical and Traditional Music Services

The Classical and Traditional Music Department works in areas related to established musical forms and inherited performance practices.

Its institutional responsibilities include supporting research, training, documentation, artistic presentation, and the preservation of classical and traditional music.

Dance Programs

The Dance Department carries out activities related to Nepali dance traditions and performance practices. Its work includes cultural programs, training, research, artist participation, and preservation.

Dance-related programs form part of the Academy’s wider responsibility to maintain and develop Nepal’s performing arts heritage.

Drama and Theatre Programs

The Drama Department and Theatre Department support dramatic and theatrical activities. Their work covers performance programs, festivals, workshops, research, training, and institutional support for practitioners.

These departments address drama and theatre as related but separately organized areas within the Academy.

Publications

The Academy supports publications connected with music, dance, drama, theatre, cultural research, and artistic documentation.

Publications provide a formal means of recording research findings, cultural knowledge, artist contributions, and information related to Nepal’s performing arts.

Artist Recognition and National Awards

The Academy recognizes artists and cultural contributors through national-level honours and awards. Recognition may cover music, drama, theatre, film, and related areas of cultural contribution.

The Nepal Music and Drama National Academy Awards are part of this responsibility. Award recipients have included Prakash Dutraj, Bhuwan KC, and Shambhujeet Baskota.

Policy and Institutional Planning

The Academy formulates policies and long-term plans for the growth of music, dance, drama, and theatre in Nepal.

This work includes identifying cultural priorities, planning national programs, supporting institutions, and preparing measures for the protection and development of the performing arts.

Cultural Institution Development

The Academy supports the development of cultural institutions and infrastructure associated with music, dance, drama, theatre, and artistic research.

This responsibility is connected with its broader national role in strengthening the institutional foundation of Nepal’s performing arts sector.

International Cultural Relations

The Academy establishes relations with international cultural institutions and organizations. These relations support cultural exchange and the presentation of Nepali music, dance, drama, and theatre outside Nepal.

International engagement also provides a formal channel for institutional cooperation in the performing arts.