About Sangeet Natak Akademi Library
The Library of the Sangeet Natak Akademi functions as a specialised multilingual reference centre dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge related to India’s performing arts traditions. Serving students, scholars, researchers, and practitioners, the Library is among the few institutions in the country devoted exclusively to resources in the fields of music, dance, drama, and theatre. Its rich and diverse holdings include books, journals, rare documents, newspaper clippings, printed materials relating to Akademi Awardees and other eminent performing artists, as well as extensive photographic and audio-visual archives.
Over more than seven decades, the Library has developed into an important national resource centre supporting research and scholarship in the performing arts. The collection covers a wide range of subjects including dance, drama, music, theatre, sociology, folklore, tribal studies, Indian history and culture, Indian art, religion, epics and mythology, and anthropology, along with essential reference works such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries, yearbooks, bibliographies, and indexes. The Library also maintains a valuable archive of newspaper clippings documenting the contributions of Akademi Awardees and other distinguished personalities in the fields of dance, drama, and music.
The Library regularly attracts Indian and international researchers, musicians, musicologists, dancers, theatre directors, choreographers, filmmakers, folklorists, puppeteers, journalists, and students engaged in academic research and creative practice, thereby contributing to the continued study, documentation, and promotion of India’s rich performing arts heritage.
The Audio-Visual Library preserves archival and commercial recordings documenting India’s performing arts traditions.
The collection includes:
These materials provide valuable documentation of performances and artists across diverse traditions.
The Photo Library preserves visual documentation of programmes, festivals, seminars, and performances organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi since 1954.
Current holdings include:
The collection includes both black-and-white and colour photographs, documenting artists, performances, cultural events, and institutional activities over several decades.
Photographs from the archives are regularly used in Akademi publications, programme brochures, exhibitions, festivals, seminars, calendars, and research documentation.
Library Catalogue (OPAC)
The Library uses LS Web OPAC, integrated with LIBSYS-10 Library Management Software, which enables users to search the Library catalogue through web browsers on both internet and intranet platforms.
The catalogue provides bibliographic information on:
The OPAC system allows efficient search and retrieval of information for research and reference.
Digitisation and Digital Archives
The Library has undertaken extensive digitisation work using the Zeutschel OS 12002 Comfort A2 Scanner installed in the Library.
Digitised materials include:
These resources are available through the Library’s in-house digital access system and Indian culture portal.
Digital Outreach
Selected digital collections have been migrated to the Indian Culture Portal (National Virtual Library of India) to enable wider public access and promote the dissemination of India’s performing arts heritage.
Preservation and Conservation
The Library undertakes systematic preservation and conservation activities to safeguard its collections. These include:
Users may access materials through facilities such as photocopying, printing, scanning, audio-visual viewing, and photographic reference services.
The Library serves a wide community of users through its membership programmes.
Current membership includes:
Members include researchers, students, scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.
Virtual Community
To facilitate research interaction and information sharing, the Library has established a Library WhatsApp Group comprising 200 researchers from across India. The platform enables exchange of information, research materials, and updates related to performing arts.
Library Staff
The Library is managed by qualified professionals who oversee collection management, documentation, and research services.
Shri Praveen Kumar Dureja
Assistant Library and Information Officer
M.A. (Economics), M.Lib.I.Sc., M.Phil.
Mrs. Nisha
Library and Information Assistant
M.Com., M.Lib.I.Sc., PGDCA
Mrs. Shalini Gupta
Library and Information Assistant
M.Lib.I.Sc., PGDCA
Library Timings
Monday – Friday
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
(Closed on Gazetted Holidays)
The Library serves a wide community of users through its membership programmes.
Current membership includes:
Members include researchers, students, scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.
Virtual Community
To facilitate research interaction and information sharing, the Library has established a Library WhatsApp Group comprising 200 researchers from across India. The platform enables exchange of information, research materials, and updates related to performing arts.
Library Catalogue (OPAC)
The Library uses LS Web OPAC, integrated with LIBSYS-10 Library Management Software, which enables users to search the Library catalogue through web browsers on both internet and intranet platforms.
The catalogue provides bibliographic information on:
The OPAC system allows efficient search and retrieval of information for research and reference.
Digitisation and Digital Archives
The Library has undertaken extensive digitisation work using the Zeutschel OS 12002 Comfort A2 Scanner installed in the Library.
Digitised materials include:
These resources are available through the Library’s in-house digital access system and Indian culture portal.
Digital Outreach
Selected digital collections have been migrated to the Indian Culture Portal (National Virtual Library of India) to enable wider public access and promote the dissemination of India’s performing arts heritage.
Preservation and Conservation
The Library undertakes systematic preservation and conservation activities to safeguard its collections. These include:
Users may access materials through facilities such as photocopying, printing, scanning, audio-visual viewing, and photographic reference services.
Article Indexing
The Library undertakes regular indexing of journal articles related to music, dance, theatre, drama, and performing arts using LIBSYS software.
Up to the financial year 2025–2026, approximately 1,62,675 journal articles have been indexed and documented in the Library database.
Indian
International
Other Regional Languages
The New Arrivals section highlights recently acquired books and publications, ensuring that the Library collection remains updated with current scholarship and emerging perspectives in the performing arts.
192.168.1.3:8080/opac/(link is external)