IGNCA Expands its Cultural Footprint
IGNCA Opens 10th Regional Centre in Tirupati to Preserve and Promote Andhra Pradesh and Telangana’s Cultural Heritage.
Source: PIB
Marking a significant milestone in the preservation and promotion of India’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) inaugurated its tenth Regional Centre in Tirupati in collaboration with the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati. The new centre is meant to be a lively place for studying, writing down, and sharing Vaishnava Agama and other Indian architectural traditions. It will also be an important part of the area’s rich cultural history, which is deeply connected to Tirupati’s spiritual and historical core. On this auspicious occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri K. Pawan Kalyan, conveyed his best wishes to IGNCA. In his message, he extended heartfelt congratulations to IGNCA on the inauguration of its tenth Regional Centre. TPadma Vibhushan Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, a distinguished scholar and exponent of Bharatanatyam, graced the inauguration as the chief guest. AAlso present were Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, and Prof. G.S.R. Krishna Murthy, Vice Chancellor, National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, whose collaboration underscores the institution’s commitment to fostering cultural scholarship.
Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, the chief guest of the inaugural event, described the new Regional Centre, Tirupati, as the tenth arm of IGNCA. She further stated that the diverse and multifaceted activities of IGNCA’s Regional Centre play a crucial role in the decentralisation and efficient management of documentation and research. She emphasised that IGNCA has consistently upheld its mission, vision, and achievements, reinforcing its commitment to preserving and promoting India’s cultural heritage.
Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, while addressing the gathering, expressed happiness and gratitude on the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of IGNCA’s tenth Regional Centre in the sacred city of Tirupati. He highlighted IGNCA’s role as a premier repository of Indian art and culture, dedicated to the documentation and research of Shastriya traditions, folk and tribal art forms, manuscripts, visual arts, and other cultural expressions. He described the inauguration of the Tirupati Regional Centre as a significant milestone in this endeavour. Emphasising IGNCA’s commitment to diverse fields of research in arts, culture, and literature, he drew attention to ‘Andhra Natyam’, a natya form of Andhra Pradesh, urging scholars to undertake focused studies on it. He also mentioned the region’s rich artistic heritage, including Pochampally toys, and noted how modern technologies are being integrated at the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design’ (ABCD), where traditional artisans are innovating to sustain their crafts while balancing tradition and modernity.
Dr. Joshi further highlighted IGNCA’s pivotal role in national cultural initiatives, citing its contributions to the artwork of the New Parliament and the installation of the Ashtadhatu Nataraja sculpture at Bharat Mandapam, the tallest of its kind globally, crafted using traditional techniques. Beyond Shastriya traditions, IGNCA also engages with various art forms and has 600 publications to its credit, including ‘Kalakalpa’, a distinguished journal in the field of art and culture. He further noted, as part of IGNCA’s broader outreach, this year marks its tenth Regional Centre, joining others such as Thrissur, which focuses on Vedic Studies; Vadodara, which undertakes initiatives in conservation, culture, and art spanning modern, contemporary, and tribal forms; and Varanasi, which delves into Shaiva traditions, collectively enriching the cultural and intellectual landscape across India. Recognising the significance of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, he stressed the role of information and technology in skill enhancement and the introduction of short-term courses in applied subjects.
He concluded by reaffirming that wherever IGNCA expands its reach, it plays a pivotal role in engaging a broader audience and fostering cultural discourse. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr Priyanka Mishra, Director (Administration), IGNCA, acknowledging the collective efforts that brought this vision to fruition. The event was anchored by Shri Sumit Dey, Assistant Professor at CIL, IGNCA.
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