Fellowship for Young Theatre Practitioners Trained at the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre

The Ninasam Theatre Training Centre has trained more than 650 students so far. Many of them are actively engaged in theatre and other media. The objective of this fellowship is to identify promising talent among these alumni and provide financial support for a specific project they wish to undertake. The broader aim of the fellowship is to encourage young theatre practitioners striving for professionalism in Kannada theatre and to support new creative initiatives in the field.

Fellowship Awards – 2022

Ninasam Pratishtana has decided to award the BCS Iyengar Fellowship 2022 and the Prameela Swamy Fellowship 2022 to the following recipients:

• Shwetha Srinivasa, Bangalore – Prameela Swamy Fellowship 2022
• Syed Sadiq S. Riyaz, Hospet – BCS Iyengar Fellowship 2022
• Santoshkumar Malli, Gadag – BCS Iyengar Fellowship 2022

Each fellowship carries a grant of ₹50,000.

Details of the Fellowship

The financial assistance is offered under the names “BCS Iyengar Fellowship” and “Prameela Swamy Fellowship.”

These fellowships are supported by the well-wishers of Ninasam, Sri B.C.S. Iyengar and Smt. Deepa Ganesh, who sponsor these initiatives. The announcement, promotion, selection, administration, and evaluation of the fellowships are handled by Ninasam Pratishtana.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be graduates of the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre.
• Applicants must not exceed 40 years of age as of August 2022.
• Those who have not undergone training at the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre are not eligible.

The fellowship is awarded to support a specific theatre-related project proposed by the applicant. The proposed project must be designed to be completed within a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months.

• The BCS Iyengar Fellowship may be awarded to any alumnus.
• The Prameela Swamy Fellowship is awarded specifically to a female candidate.

Indicative List of Eligible Projects

Examples of projects that may qualify for the fellowship include:

• Preparing and staging a new theatre production with specialized training
• Conducting a rare or specialized theatre workshop
• Undertaking training with a theatre group or expert, within Karnataka or elsewhere, for theatre study
• Undertaking a study tour to participate in a special theatre-related programme
• Conducting research, documentation, or writing related to theatre
• Engaging in experimental collaborations between theatre and other art forms

Any innovative project that expands theatrical experience and creativity will also be considered eligible.

The duration of the project must be between 1 and 3 months depending on the nature of the work. Every year two or three fellowships of ₹50,000 each are awarded.

Application Procedure

The fellowship announcement is usually made in August and is publicized on the Ninasam website and other media platforms.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must have graduated from the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre.
• Applicants must be below 40 years of age as of August 2022.

Applications may be submitted by post or email on plain paper including the following details:

1. Name, full address, mobile number, and email address
2. Gender, date of birth, and age
3. Current occupation/profession
4. Major works and recognitions received after completing training at the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre (1 page)
5. Detailed description of the proposed project (2–3 pages) including:

• Outline and background
• Objectives
• Programme details and duration
• Where, when, and with whom the work will be carried out
• Expected benefits for the applicant and the wider theatre community

Estimated budget of the project and any additional sources of support

A photocopy of a certificate or mark sheet confirming training at the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre

The deadline for submitting applications has now passed.

Selection and Administration

A selection committee consisting of:

• A representative of Ninasam Pratishtana
• The Head of the Ninasam Theatre Training Centre
• An external expert

will review all applications and project proposals to decide the fellowship recipients.

If necessary, the committee may contact applicants by phone or through an interview to obtain further clarification.

The decisions were announced in November 2022. The fellowship amount of ₹50,000 was transferred in a single installment to the selected candidates’ bank accounts before the end of the same month.

After completing the project within the agreed duration (1–3 months), fellowship recipients must submit within 30 days:

A 3–4 page report

Supporting documents such as photographs, brochures, or related material

Submission of detailed expenditure accounts or utilization certificates is not required.

However, all publications or announcements related to the project must acknowledge the fellowship support.