The Tata Theater is a 1010 seat premier staging facility for music, dance and drama at the NCPA complex in downtown Mumbai, and is the brainchild of Dr. J.J. Bhabha. It is India’s first theatre designed and built keeping in mind the unique acoustic and visual requirements for the staging of Indian music, dance and related art forms, and was constructed by Larsen & Toubro Limited.
Keeping in mind the traditional seating requirements at Indian classical musical concerts and performances, the Tata Theatre stage is built in the almost semi-circular thrust shape. The alternate concave and convex triangular forms on the overhead and the wall panelings ensure even distribution of acoustics over the entire auditorium. The acoustic forms of high-density compressed plaster were hand-made and lifted manually up into their positions. The architects ensured that every musical instrument played in the orchestra could individually be heard and appreciated in every corner of the auditorium.
The external structure of the Tata Theater complex has been acoustically insulated from outside interference such as road traffic and sounds from construction and maintenance activities by separate pile foundations down to the rock base.
Famous artistes who have performed at the Tata Theater over the years include Yehudi Menuhin, Ustad Vilayat Khan and M S Subbalaxmi. The Tata Theatre has also been utilized for special cultural programmes for India’s state guests and visiting dignitaries. Its spacious foyers are also used for special exhibitions.