The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has inaugurated its tenth Regional Centre in Tirupati in collaboration with the National Sanskrit University. This new centre aims to become a hub for research, documentation, and dissemination of Vaishnava Agama and India’s architectural traditions, while also engaging with Tirupati’s rich cultural heritage. 

The event was graced by Padma Vibhushan Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, as the Chief Guest. Also present were Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, and Prof. G.S.R. Krishna Murthy, Vice Chancellor, National Sanskrit University. Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri K. Pawan Kalyan, extended his best wishes for this initiative. 

Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam described the Tirupati centre as IGNCA’s “tenth arm,” playing a vital role in decentralising cultural research and documentation. Dr Joshi highlighted IGNCA’s dedication to preserving India’s artistic heritage, from classical traditions to folk and tribal art, and called for focused studies on Andhra Natyam and the region’s crafts. 

IGNCA’s contribution to national cultural initiatives was also recognised, including its role in the artwork of India’s New Parliament and the installation of the Ashtadhatu Nataraja at Bharat Mandapam, the tallest of its kind globally. With this new centre, IGNCA continues expanding its outreach, joining other regional hubs focused on Vedic studies, intercultural traditions, and conservation efforts. 

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Priyanka Mishra, Director (Administration), IGNCA, acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind this milestone. 

(PIB)