Noted theatre artist Tila Rupa Sapkota from Gangtok has been chosen for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, earning national recognition for her contribution to the field of theatre.
Born and brought up in Sikkim’s capital, Sapkota underwent formal training in theatre after completing a one-year residential Certificate Course in Theatre Arts at the National School of Drama, Sikkim, in 2011. Over the past 15 years, she has built a distinguished career as an actor, performer and theatre producer, emerging as one of the prominent faces of theatre from the Himalayan state.
Following her training, Sapkota worked for more than a decade as a repertory artist with the National School of Drama Sikkim Repertory Company. She later expanded her artistic journey internationally, spending two years in Dubai as a lead performer in the acclaimed Broadway-style musical Jaan-E-Jigar. In addition to acting, she has also contributed as an assistant director in productions mounted by the Sikkim Repertory and student theatre groups.
Throughout her career, Sapkota has explored classical, contemporary and musical theatre, performing in more than 25 productions. Her notable works include Black Orchid, Cherry Orchard, Andha Yug, Aadhe Adhure, Pagla Ghoda, Maya Megh, Surajmukhi Aur Hamlet, Uttarramcharit, Shankar, Dehri and Balidaan. She has worked alongside several renowned theatre personalities, including Raghubir Yadav, Tripurari Sharma and Ajay Malkani.
Currently pursuing an independent career in theatre, Sapkota continues to promote the performing arts in Sikkim while mentoring aspiring young artistes.
Reacting to the honour, Sapkota described the recognition as a deeply humbling moment in her artistic journey. She said the award belonged not only to her but also to her teachers, fellow artistes and theatre enthusiasts who had supported and shaped her career. According to her, theatre has taught her empathy, discipline and the transformative power of storytelling, and she remains committed to creating performances that encourage dialogue and reflection.
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, is among India’s most prestigious honours for young practitioners in the fields of music, dance and theatre. Sapkota’s selection is being viewed as a significant achievement for Sikkim’s theatre community and a recognition of the state’s growing contribution to the country’s cultural landscape.
