A Padma Shri, Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry holds a Master’s in the History of Arts and a diploma from the National School of Drama. In 1984 she founded her own theatre company in Chandigarh — called, simply, The Company — and alongside it taught in the Department of Indian Theatre at Panjab University, where she also served as Chairperson. Among her best-known productions are Kitchen Katha, The Suit, Yerma, Nagamandala, The Mad Woman of Chaillot, Little Eyolf, Bitter Fruit, Naked Voices, Gumm Hai and Black Box. Her many honours include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003). She is currently Professor Emeritus at Panjab University.