The important academies that help in the development of extra-curricular activity of the student in India are mentioned below:
(a) Sangeet Natak Akademi (Academy of dance, drama and music):
It was inaugurated in 1953. It aims at the preservation of Indian culture and promoting anti developing Indian drama, music, and dance. It has set up training institutions and sponsors festivals, and cultural exchanges in the field of dance, drama and music. Awards have been instituted to encourage these arts.
(b) Lalit Kala Akademi:
It was inaugurated in October 1953; its main function is to encourage and promote study and research in the field of painting, sculpture, architecture and applied arts. Its aim is to coordinate the activities of State Akademies, publish literature on art, and foster national and international contact through exhibitions and exchanges of art objects.
To decentralise its activities, the Akademi has now set up regional centres called Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra at Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai and Bhubaneshwar.
Image Source: indianstampghar.com
(c) Sahitya Akademi:
It was inaugurated on March 12, 1954. It is a national organisation for the development of Indian literature, and also to set high literary standards, and to foster and coordinate literary activities.
The Government of India has announced annual prizes for the most outstanding books published since independence in each of the 18 regional languages of India; prizes are also awarded for printing. Many foreign classics have been selected for translation into all the major Indian languages.
(d) National Book Trust, India:
It was set up in 1957 to encourage the production of good literature and to make books available at moderate prices to libraries, educational institutions and the public. The Trust has published standard works on education, science, culture and humanities. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the principal publisher of the Trust.
(e) Indian Council for Cultural Relations:
It was established in November 1949 with the object of establishing, reviving and strengthening cultural relations between India and other countries. Under Cultural Exchange Programme, the Council receives a variety of visitors, plays host to several delegations, awards travel grants and organises exhibitions and lectures.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations controls the Jawaharlal Nehru Prize for International Understanding. The ICCR operates under the Ministry of External Affairs.