The National Science Drama Festival (NSDF) is an event where one can experience the extraordinary fusion of science and drama in delivering scientific knowledge to the community in an accepted and comprehensive manner. This event celebrates the power of drama to make complex concepts accessible, engaging, and captivating to audiences of all backgrounds. NSDF showcases how drama can bring science to life through storytelling, dynamic performances, and creative stagecraft.
By incorporating elements of theatre, such as dialogue and characterization, science dramas create relatable experiences that connect audiences to scientific ideas on an emotional level. The performances demystify scientific principles while entertaining and educating. They bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of science.
The Festival is organized by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) every year. It provides an opportunity to bring students of different states, languages, and cultures to explore theatre as a medium to express and communicate. NSDF encourages students to participate in this refreshing experiment of comprehending and communicating science ideas through a creative art form.
In a run-up to NSDF 2023-24, the Eastern India Science Drama Competition 2023-24 will be organized by Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM), on September 27, 2023 (Wednesday), 11:00 am onwards. This year’s Science Drama Competition is based on -
Main Theme: Science & Technology for the Benefit of Mankind
Sub-themes: Millets – The Superfood
Food Security
Modern Technology in Daily Life
Current Advances in Health Care
Superstitions in Society
For the inaugural session of the Eastern India Science Drama Competition 2023-24, Dr. Soumitra Basu, Former Professor, at the Department of Drama, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata has consented to be the Chief Guest. After this inaugural session, participating teams - winners of the State Science Drama Competitions from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Sikkim, Odisha, and West Bengal, with students from classes VI – X, will stage their Drama within the stipulated duration of 30 minutes each – to be live-streamed on https://www.youtube.com/birlamuseum.
Two winning teams would represent Eastern India in the National Science Drama Festival 2023-24, due to be held during January 05-06, 2024 at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai.