Bachelor of Performing Arts
The Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) is a three- to four-year undergraduate program. This degree has a complicated curriculum that covers dance, music, and drama together.
• . To get into a BPA program, students must have passed their 10+2 exam with 50% of the marks. However, the minimum score required varies from college to college.
• In order to accept students for admission, some BPA colleges offer direct admission, while others offer an entrance exam.
• BPA courses typically cost between INR 5,000 and INR 50,000 annually. However, the specific course costs may vary from college to college.
• The fundamental study of Tals, the fundamental study of Hindustani music, movement techniques, stagecraft and design, and basic filmmaking concepts are among the topics covered in the BPA course. BPA graduates can work in a variety of fields, including community arts worker, music therapist, drama therapist, art administrator, director of the theatre, broadcast presenters, and choreographer, among others.
• The starting salaries for BPA students range from INR 3,000 to INR 7,000. The salary can vary depending on a person's qualifications and job positions.
• Students who wish to pursue higher education can also pursue Master of Performing Arts, PhD, MA (Music), MPhil (Music), and other similar degrees.
BPA Course Highlights
Listed below are some key highlights of the BPA course:
| Course | BPA |
| Full form | Bachelor of Performing Arts |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 3-4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 |
| Admission Process | Merit or entrance based |
| Average tuition fee | INR 5,000 to INR 1,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Actor, screenwriter, choreographer, community arts worker, theatre director, dance teacher, arts administrator, music therapist, broadcast presenter, broadcast engineer etc. |
| Average salary | INR 3,00,000 - 7,00,000 |
BPA: What it is ?
The course description for BPA includes everything a student needs to know. It includes information about the topics covered in this course, what you'll learn, and the skills you can develop as a result:
• Theatre, studies, music, and dance are typically included in the performing arts.
• A typical general course of study for the BPA degree covers a variety of dance, music, and drama subjects.
• A bachelor's degree in performing arts is a general degree program that includes coursework from all performing arts fields, although students may choose to concentrate on a single area.
• Folk music, Rabindra Sangeet, Indian dances, and other topics are covered in the BPA course.
• The BPA program helps students improve their practical knowledge and skills so they can succeed in music, acting, dance, and other fields.
Why take a BPA class?
For those who have made the decision to enroll in this course, the BPA degree offers a number of advantages, including:
• A Four year college education in Performing Expressions makes a strong comprehension of the training and hypothesis of execution.
• In addition to enhancing their performance and leadership abilities, students can acquire comprehensive knowledge.
• Graduates succeed in a variety of fields thanks to their exposure to a wide range of performance and art aspects.
• In many programs, putting an emphasis on performance and leadership also helps students gain self-assurance, improve their communication abilities, and be better able to work well with others.
• These abilities are essential for success in the future and hold a solid foundation in any field.
Admission Process for Admission to the BPA course
Admission to the BPA program is conducted either through an entrance examination or merit-based. Applications for admission can be available either from the university’s official website or by visiting the admission office for the same.
Direct admission:
Admission is BPA programs provided by many universities in India is direct the direct admission process:
• Candidates will have to fill out an application form for the particular university representative of their preference for the BPA program.
• After declaring the cut-off list of programs by the university, aspirants are approved for admission on verification of their appropriate documents.
Entrance based:
Some top Universities also conduct entrance exams for admission to BPA courses.
• Many universities like Lovely Professional University, Banaras Hindu University, etc. take admission eligibility exams for giving admission in the BPA program.
• After facing the theory paper, aspirants are shortlisted for a practical exam. The practical exam tests the practical knowledge of candidates in their respective areas of performance arts.
The documents that are required at the time of admissions are:
• 10th class certificate
• 12th class certificate
• Character/school leaving/transfer document
• Aadhar cards (of the candidate and his/her parents)
• Entrance test scorecard
• Three passport-size photographs of the candidate.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to BPA course
In order to pursue a BPA program from any college, candidates need to meet the required eligibility criteria to be considered eligible. However, the eligibility criteria for admission depend upon the college in which the candidates would like to take admitted to pursue BPA.
• The basic qualification for pursuing a BPA course is that a candidate should pass a degree in 10+2 or higher secondary examination.
• The candidates should have a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 from a recognized board of education.
• Students who are willing to apply for this course should have a background in the area of fine arts which includes music, dance, and drama, to go further for this course.
Entrance Exam for Admission to BPA course
Students who want to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Performing Arts need to appear in the entrance exams which will secure their admission to the desired college/university. Below are some entrance tests which are conducted in order to assess a candidate's knowledge in the field of performing arts.
• DUET- Delhi University Entrance Test is conducted by the National Testing Agency on behalf of Delhi University. It’s a computer-based exam of 2 hours long duration. The test paper will contain 100 multiple-choice questions in which every correct answer will consist of 4 marks and there’s also a negative marking of -1 for each wrong question.
• LPUNEST- LPUNEST is conducted by Lovely Professional University for admission in its various courses, twice a year. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours 30 minutes and it’s an online mode exam. The candidates must have passed their 10+2 with 60% marks aggregate to be eligible for the exam.
• BHU UET- It’s an undergraduate entrance test conducted by Banaras Hindu University for admission of students in courses offered by the college. BHU UET is conducted in paper-based test mode as well as in computer-based mode.
Syllabus of Bachelor of Performing Arts
| Column1 | Column2 |
| Music | Dance |
| Raga Studies | History of Dance |
| Fundamental Study of Hindustani Music | New Media & Performance Practice |
| Fundamental Study of Tala | Technique of Dance |
| Intensive Study of Raga | Choreography |
| Folk Music | Dance on Camera |
| Rabindra Sangeet | Indian Culture |
| Analytical Study of Tala and Shastra | Movement Techniques |
| Analytical Study of Indian Classical Music | Mudras |
| Elementary study of Hindustani Music | Chandas |
| Western Music | |
| Elementary Study of Tala | |
| Tala Studies | |
| Raga Studies | |
| Introduction to Indian Theatre | |
| Indian Culture and Art | |
| History of Indian Theatre | |
| Theatre Production | |
| Body Movement and Dance | |
| Basics of Vocal Practice | |
| Basics of Camera Light and Sound | |
| Film Theories | |
| Folk Theatre Forms of India | |
| Basic Concepts of Film Making | |
| Stage Craft and Design | |
| Theory of Direction and Stage Craft Direction | |
| History of Western Theatre | |
| Script Writing | |
Jobs Available for BPA Candidates
The students of performing arts enjoy an extensive career in arts in various fields including the film industry, entertainment houses, arts organizations, voluntary organizations, music companies, art universities and many more. There is no shortage of positions in the industry that allow you to earn while you harness the power inherited in art.
Some of the job options along with its description and average annual salary offered to that particular job position mentioned below:
| Jobs | Description | Average Salary |
| Choreographer | The responsibility of choreographer are, understanding specifications as well as limitations of the project, and collaborating with the director, creating dance steps that fit with the mood, music and theme, supporting, guiding, and explaining all the steps and the formations to dancers, ensuring studio or venue is available for rehearsal and that dancers have been notified in a timely manner, conducting research by watching dance shows and attending performances. | INR 3,10,000 |
| Music therapist | Music Therapists help their patients reach mental health goals through musical treatments. A Music Therapist is a healthcare professional who works with a variety of patients to improve mental health outcomes through individualized, clinical and evidence-based treatment plans. | INR 2,00,000 |
| Broadcast presenter | The broadcast presenter's responsibilities generally includes, to organising meetings, interviews and schedules, to operating technical equipment, such as radio ‘desks", to undertaking relevant background research, to interviewing guests via the telephone or in person, to writing and rehearsing scripts, to do meeting with programme directors/producers to discuss programmes/shows, giving reviews of newly released books, films, music etc, | INR 4,78,000 |
| Community arts worker | The duties of community art worker are to identifying the needs of community groups, to designing, monitoring and evaluating arts project, to teaching performance or creative skills to project participants, to compiling and maintaining databases of professionals available to work on projects, to publicising events, to supporting community groups and offering advice on fundraising and forming projects, to managing volunteers and recruiting artists, to liaising with local authorities, schools and companies to build interest and support from possible funders and community members. | INR 2,50,000 |
| Theatre director | The theatre director's responsibilities include working with producers on large productions, there may be other supporting staff such as artistic directors and music directors to collaborate on extensive production designs. Leading rehearsals, he or she collaborates creatively with the actors and technical crew to make the blocking natural, changing it when necessary and allowing inspiration. Directors finish their work when they determine the final pacing of the play reverberates with the life of an artistic vision that is satisfying and complete. | INR 3,49,000 |
Scope of BPA
After completing the Bachelor of Performing Arts program, candidates will be able to take advantage of numerous excellent opportunities in a variety of fields anywhere in the world. After this course, scopes include:
• Candidates can pursue an MPA or Master of Performing Arts degree after completing a BPA.
• Due to their work expertise and skill set in the theatrical and related fields, these professionals are in high demand in the industry.
• Music graduates can work in entertainment, structure (counting music pieces), and music innovation. They can also join professional ensembles. They may also pursue an MA in music.
• Music graduates can also work in publishing, music education, expression organization, and news reporting.
• In addition to working as performing artists, chiefs, essayists, creators, stage supervisors, expert dramatization instructors, TV analysts, makers and moderators, and expression overseers, graduates of the drama department can enter more specialized fields such as advertising, publishing, and marketing.
• Alumni of dance divisions can land positions under all-day classes are exceptionally intriguing, and that implies many individuals need to work at other temporary tasks to get by.