IPTA

IPTA is the short form for Indian People's Theatre Association. In the Hindi belt it is called Bhartiya Jan Natya Sangh, in Assam and West Bengal, Bhartiya Gan Natya Sangh and in Andhra Pradesh, Praja Natya Mandali. The mission statement of IPTA is 'People's Theatre Stars the People'. The symbol designed by the famous painter Chitta Prasad is a drummer (nagara vadak), which is a reminder of one of the oldest medium of communication. IPTA was established at the national level on May 25, 1943 in Bombay (now Mumbai). The Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in 1994 on the occasion of its Golden Jubliee. The history of IPTA runs parallel to the people's cultural movement in the country and relates to the independence and the anti fascist movements.The origin of IPTA followed the first Progressive Writer's Association Conference in 1936, the Establishment of Youth Cultural Institute at Calcutta in 1940, and constitution of the People's Theatre at Banglore by Anil De' Silva of Sri Lanka i