The Aditya Birla Group on Monday launched the INT Aditya Birla Performing Arts Academy, a new institution aimed at nurturing talent in theatre, music and dance while reviving the legacy of the historic Indian National Theatre (INT).
The academy was inaugurated by Rajashree Birla, who will chair the institution, in the presence of Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, Neerja Birla, Ananya Birla and Aryaman Vikram Birla.
The group said the academy would serve as a national centre for artistic excellence, supporting emerging talent and encouraging innovation rooted in India's cultural traditions.
"The INT Aditya Birla Performing Arts Academy is our tribute to India's extraordinary artistic heritage and to the countless individuals who have kept its traditions alive across generations," Rajashree Birla said at the launch.
The academy's advisory council includes several prominent figures from India's performing arts ecosystem, including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, Aruna Sairam, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Terence Lewis, among others.
The launch event featured a conversation between lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar and television host Cyrus Sahukar, focusing on creativity, resilience and the future of India's cultural landscape.
Classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty also performed a tribute to legendary artists including Noor Jehan, Shobha Gurtu, Kishori Amonkar and Begum Akhtar.
Founded in the 1940s during India's freedom movement, the Indian National Theatre was associated with cultural leaders such as Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and went on to become a launchpad for several acclaimed actors, including Amrish Puri, Smita Patil, Sanjeev Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Rohini Hattangadi.
The Aditya Birla Group said plans are also underway to establish an archival centre to preserve rare recordings, performances and cinematic works. The academy will operate as a not-for-profit institution and focus on outreach, education and community engagement programmes aimed at improving access to the arts, particularly among underserved communities.
