'Aκαδημία', the Greek word which was originally the name of a garden near Athens where Plato taught, and from which the word Akademi has derived, emerged in Medieval Europe as Schools of art and learning, focusing on specialized disciplines and areas of knowledge. By the 18th century these institutions become associated with 'academism' to which there were reactions from the proponents and upholders of more 'creative' expressions of Art. The original definition of the word in the Lexicon has been the cue to the motto of 'Paschimbanga Natya Akademi'.

In West Bengal the art of drama is widely popular as well as widely spread. Here life and drama are somehow closely inter-related.All of us appreciate drama as an important art-form. In order to promote this art-form and widen its culture, the 'Natya Akademi' was created in 1987. The culture of Art has numerous ramifications. The function of the 'Natya Akademi' can be summed up with the help of a single letter of the English alphabet. The activities of the 'Natya Akademi' can be denoted by three p's - Publications, Preservation and Promotion, its endeavours in the last twenty years having been to give concrete shape to its three functions.

During this period the Akademi has had a building of its own. Under the Department of Informat~on and Culture Affairs of the Government of West Bengal,the Akademi has been working constantly to reinforce the chosen field of work of which the promotional activity naturally received the prime importance. Training camps and workshops are regularly organized in different areas, inclusive of Drama Festivals and also schemes for granting financial assistance. Organizations of workshops, through experience" have attained a definite standard.

We can take some pleasure in saying that the Natya Akademi journals are regularly published including the publications of various memorial lectures. Preparation relating to the publications of biographical volumes on various theatre personalities is continuing. Work has already started for setting up a Library and Archives at Natya Bhavan.

With a vision of taking our work far and wide, the Natya Akademi has beenstriving to get into a sort of rhythm in its onward course of activities. With that vision is associated our desire that there is 'far less and not more State control of Art' and that the Akademi itself grows into an autonomous, self-governing organization.