The 25th edition of the National School of Drama’s Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 continued its vibrant journey on Day 8 with a rich mix of Indian folk traditions, international theatre, music performances, street plays, film screenings and a book launch. Known as the world’s largest international theatre festival, BRM once again brought together diverse artistic voices on a single platform.
One of the key highlights of the day was Shree Devi Mahatme, a traditional Yakshagana production written by Shri Nidhi Shetty of Mangalore and directed by Bhuvan Manipal. Presented by Ambabhavani Kala Arts from Udupi, Karnataka, the performance was staged in Tulu and offered Delhi audiences a glimpse into the vibrant cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka through expressive movement, music and elaborate costumes.
Adding a strong international presence to the programme was Dr. King’s Last Night (I Have a Dream), written by Katori Hall and directed by Buddhika Damayantha. Presented by Sri Lanka’s Red Wings Theatre Group, the Sinhala-language production delivered a powerful theatrical interpretation inspired by the global civil rights movement and the final moments of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
The festival also featured Jab Jago Tab Savera, a Hindi production by NSD TIE, Sunday Club, led by Rajeshwari Nandi with assistance from Amaresh Kumar. The play connected with audiences through its contemporary theme and socially relevant narrative.
Student theatre groups from Deshbandhu Dramatics Society, Delhi Technological University and Delhi College of Arts’ Prativimb added energy to the festival through street performances. These productions addressed important social issues such as toxic masculinity, civic responsibility and public awareness.
Music and performance took centre stage during Advitiya, presented by the NSD Students’ Union. The highlight of the evening was Sonchiraiya, a lively band performance by noted folk singer Malini Awasthi, which brought a strong musical rhythm to the Delhi leg of the festival.
Another important event of the day was the launch of Dr Malini Awasthi’s book Chandan Kiwad under the theatre literature segment of BRM. The launch was followed by an engaging discussion with Ms Vani Tripathi ‘Tikku’.
Cinema also found space in the festival schedule with the screening of the Gujarati film Kundaalu at Chahumukh. The screening was followed by an online interaction with the film’s producers, Neena Arora and Suchitra Parikh.
Alongside events in Delhi, BRM 2026 continued its nationwide outreach with parallel performances held in cities such as Nagaon, Ranchi, Raipur, Gangtok, Paradeep, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Patna, Itanagar, Kolkata, Imphal, Sakhalin and Dimapur. The festival is being organised across 41 locations, strengthening its mission to decentralise theatre and make quality performances accessible to audiences across the country.
Organised by the National School of Drama, Bharat Rang Mahotsav remains a major platform for artistic exchange, cultural dialogue and theatrical excellence. The 25th edition of the festival runs from 27 January to 20 February 2026 and features more than 277 productions in 228 Indian and international languages, including several lesser-known and underrepresented tongues. Theatre groups from nine countries and artists from every Indian state and union territory are participating in this landmark edition.
BRM 2026 also highlights inclusivity by featuring performances from children’s groups, tribal communities and artists from marginalised sections. Through initiatives such as Rang Akash, its internet radio service, and the OTT platform Natyam, NSD continues to expand the reach of theatre and strengthen its connection with audiences across the nation.
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