The NSD has already constituted a study group to survey and frame the module and necessary guidelines for setting up these regional drama schools.

“The idea is to make the curriculum more rooted to the needs of the regional, vernacular theatre,” said noted theatre personality Usha Ganguly, who is also a member of the financial committee of the NSD.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni had earlier announced that five regional drama schools will be set up during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

The proposal was on the basis of recommendations made by a broad-based committee of the NSD, which is an autonomous body under the ministry of culture and is a one-of-its-kind institute in the country.The five centres will be set up in Kolkata, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra or Goa and another one in the North East.

There are also plans of upgrading NSD’s existing Regional Resource Centre in Bangalore.

“It was long overdue. We have been asking for the setting up of regional chapters for a long time now. They have planned one in Kolkata but we need more such centres in other regions,” said Ganguly.

Other details of the project like the cost of setting up the Kolkata centre and its location are yet to be finalised.