Indian People`s Theatre Association or the IPTA was established in the year 1942. For the greater objective of building social consciousness and national integration IPTA gradually became a name to bank upon. With an aim to make the applied art to stand apart with its entire originality IPTA soon became a movement in India with its patriotic as well as socialistic fervency.
The need of setting up an apex body in order to alter the concepts of Indian drama and Theatre was always there; and the establishment of IPTA further answered this need while changing the age old concepts of Indian Theatre. Quite ideally therefore, IPTA was formed in order to synchronize and fortify all progressive dispositions which was very much a part of the applied art form in Indian Theatre since ages. With the intention of reviving the rich cultural heritage of India IPTA made its presence felt as one of the leading Theatre associations of India.
IPTA is one of the oldest associations of performing art in India and many eminent personalities who have further glorified performing arts like Theatre and music happens to be the valued associates of IPTA. Over the last five to six decades notable artists, musicians, writers, dancers, singers and directors have been a part of the Indian People`s Theatre Association. Personalities like Amar Shaikh, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Homi Bhabha, Shambhu Mitra, Kaifi Azmi, Utpal Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, Shanti Bardhan, Krishanchander, Sahir Ludhianvi, Balraj Sahni, Mohan Segal, Harindranath Chattopadhyay were all a part of this IPTA. This made IPTA to be at the forefront of the Indian Theatre movement.
In memory of Prithviraj Kapoor IPTA started its Inter Collegiate Drama Competition in the year 1972. For the greater interest of recognizing budding talent and also to enrich the movement of Indian drama IPTA stood apart as one of the recognized association of its own rank. IPTA has staged more than hundred plays in different Indian language. Indian People`s Theatre Association with its possibilities, eminence, class and importance still stands apart as a prominent democratic organization of the performing art of India.
