The N.C.P.A. has since its inception undertaken audio and video recordings of classical and folk arts. This vast archival material is stored in a special humidity and temperature controlled vault.
It has a collection of over 5,500 hours of recording and theatre research material with a computerized data bank for easy retrieval.
Bala, a documentary film on the legendary Bharatanatyam danseuse Balasaraswati, directed by Satyajit Ray was the Centre’s first archival film venture.
N.C.P.A has also initiated a pioneering research project on Indian music and musical instruments. Its
objective is to ensure standardization in manufacture and reduce the dependence on scarce natural
products. A prototype Tanpura made of artificial materials is being developed as an alternative to the
traditional one made of gourd.
In another path-breaking endeavour, two visiting scholars, Bernard Bel and James Arnold have developed a computerized melodic movement analyzer for acoustic analysis of Indian classical music.
Theatre Development Centre
Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the Theatre Development Centre conducts comprehensive research, archival documentation and training, covering all aspects of theatre in western India. Its activities include workshops, seminars and audio/video recordings of theatre practices such as soliloquies.
