In
1964, a proposal to establish a National Cultural Centre was submitted to both
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Culture and
Social Welfare. In
1964, a proposal to establish a National Cultural Centre was submitted to both
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Culture and
Social Welfare.
The project gathered momentum following the National Cultural Congress in 1971. In 1994, with the release of the financial allocation and building plan, a ground breaking ceremony was officiated by the Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. Construction work began in 1995, and three years later, the National Theatre was relocated to its new premises on Jalan Tun Razak.
In
May 1995, the Theatre had its own logo. The Istana Budaya complex itself, which
incorporates the National Theatre, was officially opened by the Prime Minister
on September 15, 1999.
Reputed as one of the 10 most sophisticated theatres in the world, Istana Budaya is one of the country's most prominent landmarks. The architectural design of the theatre is based on a blend of various aspects of the Malay culture. The base of the theatre takes the shape of a floating traditional Malay kite and the layout of the building follows the pattern of a typical Malay house.
Istana Budaya also boasts four adjustable stages, which are suitable for staging performances in various forms. The theatre can accommodate 1,469 persons