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Aditya Birla Group revives Indian National Theatre with performing arts academy
New Mumbai academy blends heritage, training and innovation in performing arts vision
MUMBAI: Curtains up on a legacy act as a historic cultural institution steps into a new spotlight. Aditya Birla Group has unveiled the INT Aditya Birla Performing Arts Academy, reimagining the legacy of the Indian National Theatre and ushering it into a new era focused on training, preservation and innovation in the performing arts.
The academy was inaugurated in Mumbai on 22 June 2026 by Rajashree Birla, in the presence of Kumar Mangalam Birla, Neerja Birla, Ananya Birla and Aryaman Vikram Birla.
The initiative aims to transform INT into a national centre for artistic excellence, building on its decades-long legacy of shaping India’s cultural landscape since the pre-Independence era. The academy will focus on theatre, music and dance, while encouraging experimentation rooted in India’s traditional art forms.
Speaking at the launch, Aditya Birla Group chairperson INT Aditya Birla Performing Arts Academy Rajashree Birla described the academy as a tribute to India’s artistic heritage and a platform for future talent. She said, “The institution is a tribute to India’s artistic legacy and those who have preserved it across generations. She added that the academy aims to honour classical traditions while embracing contemporary expression and creating pathways for emerging talent, ultimately serving as a national platform for diverse cultural voices.”
The academy’s advisory council brings together some of India’s most respected names in the arts, including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Dr N Rajam, Shankar Mahadevan, Ulhas Kashalkar, Aruna Sairam, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, Louiz Banks, Bela Segal, U Rajesh, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Rajit Kapur, Terence Lewis and Clint Valladares, many of whom were present at the inauguration.
The launch evening featured a special conversation between poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar and Cyrus Sahukar, reflecting on creativity, resilience and India’s evolving cultural landscape.
A highlight of the event was a musical tribute by Kaushiki Chakraborty, who honoured legendary voices including Noor Jehan, Shobha Gurtu, Kishori Amonkar and Begum Akhtar, blending classical tradition with contemporary interpretation.
The roots of the Indian National Theatre trace back to the 1940s, during India’s freedom movement, when it emerged under cultural visionaries such as Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. Over the decades, it became a launchpad for iconic performers including P L Deshpande, Dr Shriram Lagoo, Amrish Puri, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Smita Patil, Sanjeev Kumar, Dina Pathak, Bhakti Barve, Rohini Hattangadi, Ashok Saraf, Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat.
Plans are also underway to establish a dedicated archival centre to preserve rare recordings and performances, strengthening its role as a cultural repository.
As a not-for-profit initiative, the academy also aims to expand access to the arts through education and outreach programmes, particularly for underserved communities, reinforcing the Aditya Birla Group’s long-standing focus on institution-building in India.
With its revival of INT, the group adds another cultural milestone to its portfolio of nation-building efforts, blending heritage with a forward-looking creative vision.
