Sangeet Natak Akademi, the apex body in the field of performing arts in the country was setup in:

Correct option is D

The Sangeet Natak Akademi was established in 1953 as the National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama in India. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

• The primary objective of the Akademi is to preserve, promote, and propagate India's rich cultural heritage in performing arts such as music, dance, and drama.
• It functions as the apex body in the field of performing arts and provides recognition and financial support to artists and institutions engaged in traditional art forms.
• The Akademi has a library, audio-visual archive, and a gallery of musical instruments to facilitate research and documentation.
• It confers the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions in music, dance, and drama.
• The Akademi also bestows the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna), which is the highest honor awarded to performing artists.
• It operates several centers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of various art forms, such as Kathak Kendra (for Kathak dance), Kutiyattam Kendra (for Kutiyattam), and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (for Manipuri dance).

Information Booster:

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards were instituted in 1952, even before the Akademi was officially established.
• The first Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship was awarded in 1954 to Ustad Allauddin Khan, Bharataratna Rukmini Devi Arundale, and Maharaj Chakradhar Singh.
• It organizes festivals, workshops, and training programs to keep traditional art forms alive.
• The headquarters of the Akademi is located in New Delhi.
• The Akademi works in collaboration with other cultural bodies like Lalit Kala Akademi (Fine Arts) and Sahitya Akademi (Literature).
• It has played a crucial role in the recognition of classical dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Sattriya.

Additional Knowledge:

• (a) 1962 – Incorrect. No major cultural institution was set up in this year, but NSD (National School of Drama) became an autonomous body in 1975.
• (b) 1954 – Incorrect. However, the first Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards were given in this year.
• (c) 1960 – Incorrect. In this decade, the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) were established to promote regional culture.
• (d) 1953 – Correct. This is the year when Sangeet Natak Akademi was officially set up.

Key Points:

• First chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi: Dr. P.V. Rajamannar
• First recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship:Ustad Allauddin Khan (1954)
• Current chairman (as of 2024):Sandhya Purecha
• Major centers under Sangeet Natak Akademi: Kathak Kendra, Kutiyattam Kendra, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy