Master of Performing Arts is a 2-year postgraduate degree course that focuses on the study of different artistic fields like dance, music, theatre and cinema. Students learn about various art forms' theoretical and practical aspects through intensive training and collaborative projects.
The average course fee ranges between INR 2,500 to INR 60,000. The basic eligibility criteria required to pursue the course include candidates having cleared their bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university. Admissions to the course are based on merit and as well as entrance exams such as CUCET, DUET and DSAT.
There is a wide range of opportunities for Master of Performing Arts graduates. Actors, Dancers, Theatre Performers, Stage Managers, Choreographers and Music Teachers are some of the top profiles that can be pursued by graduates. Film Organisations, Art Institutes, Cultural Organisations, Government Art Departments and Centres for Eminence are some of the top areas where Master of Performing Arts graduates can find work.
Master of Performing Arts graduates can earn between INR 4.50 LPA to INR 7 LPA in varied art forms. As professionals gain more experience and develop new skills, they can expect to earn more.
Master of Performing Arts: Course Highlights
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks |
| Admission Process | Merit and entrance exam based |
| Course Fee | INR 2,500 – INR 60,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2 – INR 5 LPA |
| Employment Areas | Film Organisations, Art Institutes, Museums, Cultural Organisation, Government Art Departments, Centres for Eminence |
| Job Profile | Actor, Dancer, Theatre Performer, Stage Manager, Director, Choreographer, Music Teacher, Dance Teacher |
What is Master of Performing Arts?
Master of performing arts aims to develop knowledge and skills in individuals looking for a career in performing arts. The course features are as follows.
- This program is mainly designed to research the impact of performing arts throughout history.
- It is aimed at creative and artistic individuals who love to perform and also want to have a complete knowledge of the skills.
- The course focuses on both practical and theoretical knowledge distinctive to Drama, Music and Dance. Diverse roles are offered to these students as theatre artists, scriptwriters, choreographers and more.
- Graduates can earn up to INR 2 – INR 5 LPA after completing the course.
Why study Master of Performing Arts?
Some of the top reasons to pursue a Master of Performing Arts course are as follows.
- It provides a platform to build confidence by developing skills through academics.
- Students get to learn and perform immediately in a first-hand application manner.
- The course provides continuous adaptive learning by expanding the skill set in response to new developments and changing environments.
- Students become job-ready with the immediate completion of the course.
Master of Performing Arts: Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for Master of Performing Arts are as follows.
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s/Diploma degree preferably in a related discipline from a recognised university.
- They should score a minimum of 50% marks in the bachelor’s degree.
- Some colleges also require candidates with some amount of work experience.
Master of Performing Arts: Admission Process
The admission to Master of Performing Arts courses is offered by many colleges through merit and entrance exam-based methods. The admission process is as follows.
Merit-based Admission Process
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- They should submit the application form and required documents to the colleges or universities they wish to seek admission
- After document verification, colleges will release their merit lists.
- If selected, candidates should complete the admission formalities and start the course.
Entrance exam-based Admission Process
- Candidates have to register themselves online by visiting the official website of the conducting body.
- They should fill up the application form with all necessary details with care and upload all required documents.
- They should pay the requisite amount of the application fee and download the admit card when released.
- Candidates should prepare for the exam as per the syllabus and past papers and appear for the examination on the date announced.
- If a candidate succeeds in qualifying for the entrance examinations, they can move on to apply for the desired college.
- They should submit the application form along with entrance exam marks and other required documents.
- A list of selected candidates will be released by the college and candidates will be asked to start the course.
Entrance Exams
Some of the top entrance exams that candidates can appear in to secure admission to top colleges offering master of performing arts.
Top Master of Performing Arts Colleges in India
The details of top Masters in Performing Arts colleges are listed below.
| Name of the College | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | 1,227 |
| Pondicherry University | Pondicherry | 23,781 |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | 50,000 |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | 30,000 |
| CMJ University | Ribhoi | 1,45,000 |
| Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (RMLAU) | Faizabad | 23,450 |
| All Indian Society for Electronics and Computer Technology | Hazaribagh | 16,000 |
| Shri Krishna University (SKU) | Chhatarpur | 36,000 |
| Swami Vivekanand University | Sagar | 19,500 |
| Goa University | Goa | 26,790 |
Master of Performing Arts: Syllabus
The Master of Performing Arts syllabus comprises advanced performance techniques, theory and research methodologies. The semester-wise syllabus is as follows.
| Semester 1 | |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Theatre and Drama | History and Development of Modern Western Drama |
| Fundamentals of Acting | Dance History |
| Fundamentals of Theatre Design | Traditional folk dance and Theatre of India |
| History and Development of Modern Indian Drama | History and Development of World Dance |
| Semester 2 | |
| History of Classical Indian Drama | Play Production(Contemporary & Western) |
| History and Development of Classical, Neo-Classical and Elizabethan Theatre | Art history and Choreography |
| Technical theatre | Traditional Theatre of India and Western Ballet |
| Acting Theory and Practical | Critical Study of Practical and Theoretical Aspects of Dance |
| Semester 3 | |
| Folk and Traditional Theatre | Voice and Speech |
| Fundamentals of Direction | Compositional forms of Indian Vocal Music |
| Stage and Event Management | Improvisation, Mime and Choreography |
| Children Theatre | Stage Performance |
| Design Technology (Scenic Design ) | Ethnomusicology |
| Analytical study of Ragas | Comparative Aesthetics |
| Acting for camera | NA |
| Semester 4 | |
| Aesthetics: Indian and Western | Specialisation: Direction, Acting, Design |
| Advanced Script Writing | Critical Study of the Component of Ragas and Talas |
| Theatre Research | Play Production (Major ) |
| Design Tech. (Makeup & Costume ) | Music and Management |
| TV and Film Production | Raga Classification System |
| Analytical study of Talas | Folk music |
| Theatrical Martial Arts | NA |
Recommended Books
The top books that master of performing arts students can consider during the coursework are as follows.
| Books | Author |
|---|---|
| Understanding Dance | Graham Mcfee |
| Theatre, Theory, Theatre | Daniel C. Gerould |
| Universal Dance & Drama | P. Medini Hombal |
| A Confluence of Indian Drama N Text | Utpal K. Banerjee |
| The Classical Music of North India | Ali Akbar Khan |
| A Southern Music – The Carnatic Story | T.M Krishna |
| Indian Folk & Tribal Paintings | Charu Smita Gupta |
Master of Performing Arts: Course Comparison
The following table compares the Master of Performing Arts course with the Master of Arts.
| Parameters | Master of Performing Arts | Master of Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | MPA is a 2-year long program with specialisation offered in Dance, Drama, Theatrics and more. | MA covers subjects from the humanities stream. There are plenty of options to choose from such as History, Sociology and more. |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks | Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks |
| Admission Procedure | Merit and entrance exam | Merit and entrance exam |
| Course Fee | INR 2,500 to INR 60,000 | INR 6000 to INR 40, 000 |
| Job Profile | Theatre artist, Actor, Director, Choreographer, Musical Artist | Teacher, Administrative Officer, Journalist, Social worker, Researcher, Counsellor |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 2 – INR 5 Lacs | INR 2 – INR 4 Lakhs |
Master of Performing Arts: College Comparison
The following table compares the top colleges that offer Master of Performing Arts courses.
| Parameters | Pondicherry University | Chandigarh University | NIMS University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | The Department of Performing Arts came into existence in 1989 offering MPA, MPhil, PhD in Drama and Theatre Arts. | Chandigarh University (CU) is a Private University accredited with A+ Grade by NAAC. There are 16 departments in total offering many specialisations in undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses | This university was established as per UGC ACT,1956 with AICTE approval. Its MPA course focuses on the training of Dance Practitioners with intensive research sessions. |
| Location | Puducherry | Chandigarh | Jaipur |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks | Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks | Bachelor’s degree |
| Admission process | CET | Personal Interview and Skill Assessment Test | Entrance exam based |
| Average Fee | INR 23,781 | INR 50,000 | INR 30,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 6 LPA | INR 5 LPA | - |
Master of Performing Arts: Jobs
Master of performing arts graduates can find opportunities in arts settings like theatres, orchestras, film organisations and more. They can also find opportunities in educational institutes. Some of the top job profiles are as follows.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Portray characters through performance in film, serials and commercials. | 3 LPA |
| Music Teacher | Instruct students in the principles and teachings of music. | 3.7 LPA |
| Theatre Artist | Works in a live stage environment, with live audiences, performing in open theatre or plays. | 4.9 LPA |
| Stage Manager | Responsible for the production and management of stages. | 3.5 LPA - 4 LPA |
| Dramatherapist | Uses drama or theatrical purposes to achieve performance goals. | 5 LPA - 6.5 LPA |
| Director | Responsible for creating motion pictures like films, plays commercials and serials. | 5 LPA |
| Choreographer | creates and designs dance routines. | 3.5 LPA |
Master of Performing Arts: Scope
Master of Performing Arts graduates have many opportunities in performing arts. The scope can vary depending on the specific focus of the program. Some potential career paths are as follows.
- Graduates can pursue careers as professional performers in different art fields.
- Graduates interested in dance can become choreographers or dance directors.
- Candidates can also join educational institutes and share knowledge with students.
- They can work with art organisations and pursue a career in art management.
- Graduates can also start their own performing arts companies and production studios.
Master of Performing Arts: FAQs
Ques. What is the fee structure in public and private colleges for Masters in Performing Arts?
Ans. The fee in public colleges can be between INR 3000 to INR 1 L while in private colleges the fee may vary from INR 20, 000 to INR 1.7 l.
Ques. What is the average annual salary of a Performing Artist?
Ans. The salary can be from INR 3 LPA to INR 5 LPA according to the project or assignment provided.
Ques: Is MPA a worthy course to take up?
Ans. If the candidate is eager to gather knowledge to polish their choice of skill and specialise in it one must opt for MPA.
Ques: What is the duration of the course?
Ans. MPA is a 2-year long course.
Ques. What makes a Master of Performing Arts a desired course?
Ans. It imparts deep knowledge related to Dance, Drama and Music and the jobs offered in these fields are creatively satisfying.
Ques. Name some entrance examinations which are accepted by reputed institutes.
Ans. BHU PET and CUCET are the entrance examinations which are accepted nationally for a Master of Performing Arts degree.
Ques. What is the most sought-after job profile of MPA graduates abroad?
Ans. Drama Therapist and Artrepreneur are some of the jobs that are popular abroad.
Ques. What is the Career Option for MPA graduates who are inclined towards academics?
Ans. Master of Performing Arts graduates can pursue PhD and then join any institution as an Academician.
Ques. What are the desirable qualities of an MPA graduate?
Ans. Visualisation, Communication and Expression with strong background research are the desirable qualities.
Ques. What is the Master of Performing Arts syllabus?
Ans. Fundamentals of Acting, Drama, Theatre Research, Production Management, Origin of Eastern and Western Dance Forms and Analysis of Ragas are some of the subjects taught over two years.
Ques. Is there any option for earning for candidates who want to avoid joining anywhere after the course?
Ans. Self-employment is rising in this field with people opening studios and companies where they teach, mentor and guide students who are eager to pursue their careers in performing arts.
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