Cultural Academy: An institution at cross-roads

After the Independence under the Naya Kashmir’s reconstruction program, our state was one of the first among its counterparts in the country to initiate series of people friendly progressive measures.

The formation of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in 1958 was one such pioneering act that reflected upon the importance to which State held the sphere of culture and seminal role it plays in the lives of citizens. Status & Mandate: One of the few constitutional bodies in the State like Universities and Public Service Commission, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was set up by the Government in the year 1958 by proviso to Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir for a specific purpose of to foster and co-ordinate activities in the spheres of letters and languages, visual and plastic arts, music, dance and drama and of culture generally. It was declared as an autonomous corporate body, vide SRO No-340 of 1963.
Having jurisdiction over the entire State, the Academy combines in itself the functions of: a) Sahitya Akademi (Akademi of Letters)b) Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi of Music, Dance & Drama)c) Lalit Kala Akademi (Akademi of Visual and Plastic Arts). Other than its headquarters at Srinagar, which moves to Jammu during winter in camp, it has also set up regional offices at Srinagar and Jammu and sub- offices at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Rajouri.