Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academi
Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy of Music, Dance and Drama was established by the Department of Education,Government of Rajasthan on 16 December 1957. As the state counterpart of the National Academy of music, dance and drama for the purpose of fostering the performing arts, traditional as well as classical, it was given an autonomous status by the order of Governor of Rajasthan on 12 January 1959. As an autonomous body it was registered under Registration of Societies Act XXI of 1860 at No.149 of 1958-59
Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy aims at fostering the performing arts, traditional as well as classical, encouraging exchange of ideas and techniques between various parts of Rajasthan in regard to Dance, Drama and Music, promoting research in the fields of Indian Dance, Drama and Music, coordinating the activities of its affiliated bodies functioning in various parts of Rajasthan and publishing literature on Dance, Drama and Music, co-operating and collaborating with similar institutions for the furtherance of its objects and for the enrichment of the Indian culture as a whole
The Akademi has put-up a lot off efforts in conducting survey work in rural areas mainly aim at recording the folk art traditions which are preserved in oral traditions only. Thus recorded material of immense value is preserved in sound library of the Akademi .After extensive survey of different regions and ethnic groups of Rajasthan audio recording of folk and tribal songs, music accompanying dances, oral literature, folk instruments legends, classical and devotional music and Video recording of various folk theatre styles, puppets folk music, dance and regional headgears or turbans has been developed.
Audio Compact Discs (CD) of the Rajathani folk songs and publications of the Akademi, are also available for sale. Under its training scheme the Akademi organises training camps for Kathak dance, theatre, thread puppet marionettes, manufacturing of folk instruments, theatre clinic, children theatre etc. various Institutions working in the field of Music, Dance, Drama and folk art in Rajasthan who help to achieve the aims of the Akademi by performing art, operating training, conservation and development of various performing arts are given affiliation which gives them recognition, participation and financial assistance.
The administrative department of the Academy is the Art and Culture Department. It is financed by the Government of Rajasthan. The Akademi provides financial Assistance Grant-in-aid to different registered cultural organizations and institutions in organizing training camps or performance of the drama. Institutions working in the field of Music, Dance, Drama and folk art in Rajasthan who help to achieve the aims of the Akademi by performing art, operating training, conservation and development of various performing arts are given affiliation which gives them recognition, participation and financial assistance. With the aim of encouraging folk performing artistes and bringing their performing styles to public, the Akademi organizes folk music festivals, Lokanuranjan fairs, Gair Dance Festivals and cultural evenings at various places in the State through out the year. It ia also involved in documentation of folk art traditions which are preserved in oral traditions.
The Folk Art Museum of the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi: is located in the premises of the Jai Narain Vyas Memorial Hall, popularly known as the Town Hall, Jodhpur. The museum presents a panoramic feel of the various performing folk art styles. The folk art museum lays out artifacts in three broad sections. In the first section, the folk musical instruments like aerophonic, cordophonic, idiophonic and membranophonic have been displayed. The second section of the museum displays the ancient audio-visual art of the painted scroll. The Bhopas sing the legends of the folk gods and heroes, displayed on the painted scrolls popularly known as pad. The third section exhibits the traditional puppets, costumes of folk dances and folk theatre styles and also the photographs of the pottery and ornaments
Art festival of SNA, Rajasthan: Various Art festival as Traditional Folk Art Festivals, Divisional Folk Art Festival Folk Theatre Festival, Dway Sambhagiya drama festival ,Om Shivpuri Memorial Drama Festival , Rajasthani Drama Festival, Classical Music and Dance Festival are organised to provide a platform and recognisation to the local folk artist having a due role in conservation of the art.
Publications of the Akademie: Publication of quarterly journal Rangyog is a regular scheme; in addition, the Akademi, financially assists the authors who desire to publish their work relating to performing arts.