The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) stands as a beacon in the realm of cultural preservation and academic pursuit. Established as an autonomous organization, IGNCA is a premier institution dedicated to the comprehensive exploration and dissemination of knowledge across various arts and humanities disciplines, including archaeology, anthropology, and visual and performing arts.
This institution, with its roots dating back to 1987, has evolved into a vital resource center for India's tangible and intangible heritage. IGNCA's mission extends to collecting, documenting, preserving, and publishing the rich cultural tapestry of India, bringing together the widely scattered remnants of the country's diverse cultural traits. Notably, IGNCA has pioneered the establishment of a tribal and folk arts division, featuring a core collection that facilitates systematic scientific studies and vibrant live presentations. In its pursuit of fostering a holistic under- standing of India's cultural diversity, IGNCA employs both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. The Centre serves as a dynamic forum for creative and critical dialogue through a spectrum of activities, including performances, exhibitions, multi-media projections, conferences, seminars, and workshops. With its commitment to research, academic excellence, and the promotion of the arts, IGNCA has emerged as a cornerstone in preserving and celebrating India's rich heritage.
IGNCA's influence extends beyond its main campus, with nine regional centers strategically contributing to the organization's mission. These regional centers serve as crucial hubs for localized.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, two terms Member Secretary and the Executive and Academic Head of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). New Delhi, is a scholar of history and mass communica- tion, a writer, a poet and theatre person. He was the Founder Vice Chancellor of the Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Raipur. He served as Vice Chancellor for two terms (10 years). He was also the Founder Registrar of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal. He served as Dean (Academics) ics) in the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal too. He has written extensively on media, communication, history, culture, education, policy, and other relevant issues. He has been delivering lectures on communication, gender sensitization, research for resurgence, personality development, art and culture etc. He has been writing extensively and edited the speeches of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the Publication Division of the IGNCA, besides many other prestigious publications. Some of his recent published works Include "Sachchidanand Joshi ki Lokpriya Kahaniya (2017); "Kuchh Alpa Viraam" (2018). "Pal Bhar ki Pahchan" (2019), and Putrikameshti (2021) three poetry collections. His speeches have been compiled in two volumes titled "Mera Desh Mera Dharm." He has also been the Chairman of the Academic Committee on "Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes" a multidisciplinary project of Government of India. He is a cultural personality of eminence and educational leader of depth.
Ashish Khokar is India's only qualified dance historian, with a degree in both Indian history and Indian dance. With 23 books to his credit on heritage and the performance arts; 24 years of editing -publishing India's only attendance yearbook on dance called attendance; 40 years of writing for mainstream media as a dance culture expert; and over 30 years' work in cultural administration make him a unique contributor. Khokar is both mentor and artivist, a visiting expert/professor at many universities teaching dance history modules, and an advisor to the IGNCA Cultural Archives and the Neemrana Group, among others.
Prof. Mohan Khokar (1924-1999) needs no introduction to our generation of art lovers grov growing up in various parts of India in the 1960s. Even in places like Gwalior or Bhopal or Chennai, those days one had heard or read him. I was also part of Ranga Sri Little Ballet Troupe (LBT) of famed dance ballet icons Shanti and Gul Bardhan and Prabhat Ganguli dada, who was also my guru. Prof. Mohan Khokar was then with the Sangeet Natak Akademi as its Secretary (on 'loan' from MSU, Baroda, Dance Department, of which he was the founder-head) and we often got invites or communications from him to LBT and Gul di would reply back to him on an old typewriter! This shows the eye, vision and mission of Prof. Mohan Khokar that he preserved each letter, personal or official. I am amazed 50 years later to see some of those letters in mint condition in India's largest dance archives and collection created by Prof. Mohan Khokar and now donated to the nation at IGNCA. I am humbled and honoured to play host to the famed Mohan Khokar Dance Collection (MKDC) at the IGNCA, which I've had the good fortune to head for two terms now.
When the idea of IGNCA acquiring the MKDC came up, IGNCA Trustees were positive and dance icons among them Dr. Sonal Mansingh, MP and Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam readily agreed, as did other art-related trustees who had known Prof. Mohan Khokar, like Dr. Bharat Gupt and Dr Saryu Doshi. But the academics in them made me realise with the MKDC we need to also get someone qualified in dance history and archiving, else the Collection will not get organised and contextualised in a meaningful way for future generations to use. This vast collection actually contains 5 other collections on music, drama, literature, photography and films - and we requested the services of Ashish Khokar, a qualified Professional in dance, history and archiving and illustrious son of Prof. Mohan Khokar. We gave him complete facility and freedom to conceive the archives and train persons in dance related documentation. Since this is a field in which we hardly find capable persons, it was good fortune for us to have Ashish Khokar.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist