🎭 Top Performing Arts Schools in India & Their Admission Process
India has a rich tradition of music, dance, theater, and film, and some of the best performing arts institutions in the country provide world-class training for aspiring artists. Whether you want to be an actor, musician, dancer, or filmmaker, choosing the right school is crucial for building a successful career in the entertainment industry.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ Top performing arts schools in India
✅ Courses offered
✅ Admission process & eligibility
✅ Scholarship opportunities
🎓 Top Performing Arts Schools in India
Here are some of the best institutions for music, dance, drama, and filmmaking in India:
🎭 Best Theater & Drama Schools in India
1. National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi
📌 One of the most prestigious drama schools in India
📌 Many Bollywood actors, like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Naseeruddin Shah, and Anupam Kher, are NSD alumni
📚 Courses Offered:
🎭 Diploma in Dramatic Arts (3-year course) – Covers acting, direction, scriptwriting, and production
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree + participation in at least six theater productions
✔️ Selection: Written exam + audition + final interview
✔️ Website: www.nsd.gov.in
🎯 Tip: NSD provides scholarships and stipends to selected students!
2. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune
📌 Best for those interested in acting, direction, cinematography, and scriptwriting
📌 Alumni include Rajkumar Hirani, Om Puri, and Naseeruddin Shah
📚 Courses Offered:
🎭 Postgraduate Diploma in Acting
🎬 Postgraduate Diploma in Direction & Screenplay Writing
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
✔️ Selection: Joint Entrance Test (JET) + Audition/Interview
✔️ Website: www.ftii.ac.in
🎯 Tip: FTII has a highly competitive admission process—only a few students get selected each year!
🎶 Best Music Schools in India
3. KM Music Conservatory, Chennai
📌 Founded by A.R. Rahman, this school offers training in Western & Indian music
📌 Focuses on music production, audio engineering, and instrumental training
📚 Courses Offered:
🎼 Diploma in Music Performance
🎹 Bachelor of Music (BMus)
🎧 Audio Engineering & Music Production
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: 12th-grade pass, basic musical knowledge
✔️ Selection: Audition + Personal Interview
✔️ Website: www.kmmc.in
🎯 Tip: International faculty members provide exposure to global music trends!
4. Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM), Tamil Nadu
📌 India’s leading contemporary music school for jazz, rock, and fusion music
📌 Focuses on live performance, composition, and production
📚 Courses Offered:
🎶 Diploma in Music Performance & Production
🎸 Short-term certificate courses in guitar, vocals, keyboard, and percussion
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: 12th-grade pass + basic knowledge of music theory
✔️ Selection: Audition + Online Interview
✔️ Website: www.sam.org.in
🎯 Tip: Offers international exchange programs with global music schools!
💃 Best Dance Schools in India
5. Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai
📌 India’s top institute for Bharatanatyam and classical dance
📌 Established by Rukmini Devi Arundale, a pioneer in Indian classical dance
📚 Courses Offered:
💃 Diploma & Postgraduate Diploma in Bharatanatyam
🎭 Courses in Indian Classical Music & Theater
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: Minimum age 17+ with basic training in Bharatanatyam
✔️ Selection: Audition + Interview
✔️ Website: www.kalakshetra.in
🎯 Tip: Focuses on traditional training with strict discipline & practice routines.
6. Terence Lewis Professional Training Institute (TLPTI), Mumbai
📌 Best for contemporary dance, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet
📌 Founded by Terence Lewis, a well-known Bollywood choreographer
📚 Courses Offered:
💃 Professional Dance Diploma (1-year course)
🕺 Short-term Dance Workshops
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: No formal education required, just a passion for dance
✔️ Selection: Live Audition & Performance Test
✔️ Website: www.terencelewis.com
🎯 Tip: Trains dancers for Bollywood, music videos, and reality TV shows.
🎬 Best Film & Media Schools in India
7. Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata
📌 One of India’s top film schools, named after Satyajit Ray
📌 Specializes in cinematography, editing, and sound design
📚 Courses Offered:
🎬 Postgraduate Diploma in Cinema (3 years) – Covers direction, cinematography, editing, and sound recording
📝 Admission Process:
✔️ Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any field
✔️ Selection: JET Exam + Interview
✔️ Website: www.srfti.ac.in
🎯 Tip: Offers world-class film training at affordable fees.
🎟️ Admission Process for Performing Arts Schools in India
📌 While each school has different selection criteria, most institutions follow these steps:
1️⃣ Check Eligibility:
🔹 Most music & dance schools require a basic knowledge of the art form
🔹 Acting & filmmaking schools require a bachelor’s degree (except diploma courses)
2️⃣ Prepare Your Portfolio:
🔹 Musicians: Demo recordings & compositions
🔹 Actors: Monologue & acting portfolio
🔹 Dancers: Performance videos
3️⃣ Apply & Pay the Application Fee:
🔹 Most institutes accept online applications
🔹 Fees vary from ₹500 to ₹5,000
4️⃣ Audition & Entrance Exam:
🔹 Some institutes (NSD, FTII, SRFTI) conduct written exams + auditions
🔹 Music & dance schools focus only on performance-based auditions
5️⃣ Final Interview & Selection:
🔹 Top candidates are invited for a personal interview or practical test
🎭 Scholarship Opportunities for Performing Arts Students
💰 ICCR Scholarships – For international students in Indian classical arts
💰 NSD Scholarships – Monthly stipend for drama students
💰 FTII & SRFTI Scholarships – Merit-based funding for film students
💰 A.R. Rahman Foundation Scholarships – For students at KM Music Conservatory
🎯 Final Thoughts
India has some of the best performing arts schools, offering world-class training in acting, dance, music, and filmmaking. Admission is highly competitive, so prepare well for auditions, build a strong portfolio, and apply early!
🎭 Which performing arts school interests you the most? Drop your questions in the comments! 🎶💃🎬Social Media