About us

Natyakrishti-TCAGW is an amateur theater and cultural group based in the greater Washington, D.C., USA. Natyakrishti-TCAGW is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization registered in the State of Maryland.

In 1985, a group of enthusiastic, dedicated theater lovers in the greater Washington area, aspiring to initiate theatrical and cultural activities, formed an amateur drama group. Many highly acclaimed dramas were staged by the group at the Durgapuja festivals organized by Sanskriti, Inc. of the Washington Metropolitan area. These dramas were also staged in various other cities in the USA, namely, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Fairfax, and Columbia. Some of the members concurrently participated in many theatrical and cultural events organized by other groups like Manab Kalyan Kendra, Sanskriti, Mayur, etc. They performed in major roles in the dance dramas Achalayatan and Moha Mudgar, organized by the Hon’ble Ambassador Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Ray, which were staged in the Kennedy Center, Gandhi Center, and the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

With the belief that the efforts at promoting theatrical and cultural activities will not be sustained only by staging dramas, a few distinguished individuals of the group planned to increase the horizon by nurturing the Indian theatrical school of thoughts in the USA, exchanging views with Indian stalwarts in the field, and introducing their vision in the thespian endeavors of the group. Hence, with a view to developing histrionic talents, active association was initiated with renowned theater groups like Nandikar, Sayak, Calcutta High Court Advocates’ Drama Association in India (Hon’ble Minister Dr. Ajit Panja’s group). When the Indian groups performed here in the USA, these individuals were involved in different aspects of the productions, including stagecraft, sound, lighting, and performing in dramas like Chok Galo, Meghnad Badh Kabya, Sesh Sakshatkar, Kabye-o-Ganey, Barda, Gotraheen, Daibaddha, and Noti Binodini.

At the dawn of the new millennium, with the knowledge and experiences that have been gained since 1985, the need was felt to change the course of direction with a view to conducting more intense and mission-oriented programs. To this end, these distinguished personalities, along with other vibrant and talented members of our community, informally formed an amateur group with a new vision and mission, and named it the Theater and Cultural Association of Greater Washington. The group, for the purpose of organizing themselves, had already staged several greatly commended dramas, which were either authored or previously produced by famous personalities like Michael Madhusudan Dutta, Utpal Dutta, Manoj Mitra, Sailesh Guha Niyogi, and Mohit Chattopadhyay. These dramas were staged in many different cities in the USA.

Over time, the vision of Indian drama stalwarts translated into the thoughts and views of the group, and at present, they have officially formalized the creation of a progressive and creative cultural organization named Natyakrishti- Theater and Cultural Association of Greater Washington (Natyakrishti-TCAGW). Natyakrishti-TCAGW embodies a vision for the future and embraces all talented as well as novice, skilled, and unskilled actors and actresses, singers, and culturally oriented personalities, irrespective of their color, creed, national origin, or religious beliefs. Natyakrishti-TCAGW assures that it will serve the purpose of quenching the thirst of all drama-loving people in the USA and Canada.
Before 2006, Natyakrishti staged several dramas every few years for more than 2 decades under different banners.

In 2006, Natyakrishti staged its first drama, Rakta Karobi, a classic play by Rabindranath. The performance drew accolades from the entire audience, including a renowned movie personality from India who was present in the auditorium. The selection of a symbolic play like Tagore’s Rakta Karabi, and its successful production, characterize Natyakrishti’s journey towards the realization of its vision. Since then, Natyakrishti has been staging classic dramas every couple of years.

Since 2006, Natyakrishti has been staging a drama every few years.

Natyakrishti is thankful for the inspiration and encouragement received from well-wishers in the community, several theater activists in the USA and Canada, and above all, the doyens of Bengali theater such as Professor Rudraprasad Sengupta, Swatilekha Sengupta, and Gautam Halder of Nandikar, Kolkata, India.

We are also thankful to Shobha Sen, Samir Majumdar, and Tarun Chatterjee of PLT, and also Sunil Mukherjee of IPTA, for inspiring us from time to time.

Our Mission

Natyakrishti is a social organization with a main concentration in the field of performing Arts. Its activities are conducted by a board of directors elected by its members.

Our activities further community relations, promote cultural exchanges, and encourage multi-ethnic interactions. We also organize educational seminars and charitable activities

10 to 15% of our total time is allocated to these activities, which are funded strictly by donations from our members and patrons.

1. To enhance theatrical activities.
2. to promote and exchange eastern and western schools of thought in the theatrical arena.
3. Natyakrishti is a voluntary association of individuals irrespective of nationality, age, sex, religious belief, and cultural orientation.
4. Natyakrishti shall be operated exclusively for cultural, social, literary, educational, and charitable activities.
5. To enhance, but not exclusively, Bengali cultural, social, literary, educational, and related activities.
6. Natyakrishti is open to members of the organization and under conditions defined by the organization and to other interested persons of the community at large, thereby enriching the multi-ethnic traditions of the people of the Washington DC Metropolitan area and of the United States.

Recently, Natyakrishti staged a drama in Toronto, Canada, organized by a non-profit organization, Shringar. Part of the proceeds from this show went to an AIDS fund. The expenses for the production of the drama, including travel and lodging, were totally met by the individual members.

Future Plans

Organize and host seminars, workshops, debates in theatrical, cultural, social and literary arena.

Organize staging of dramas and other fund raising events from time to time for charitable purposes and for financing Natyakrishti’s activities, and for establishing reserve or other funds to protect its assets and finance specific programs.

Donate a portion of raised funds to charitable organization(s) in the amounts as determined by the officers.

Organize classes, seminars and workshops from time to time with young students who are interested in educating themselves in histrionics, such participation being free of cost or substantially at a lower rate than for full-time students or regular members, as deemed appropriate by the officers.