The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama, continued to reaffirm its stature as the world’s largest international theatre festival. The day featured a vibrant mix of folk traditions, contemporary narratives and classical reinterpretations, drawing audiences into diverse cultural landscapes.
A major highlight was ‘Faces of Olonkho’, directed by Dr Mariia Markova. Inspired by motifs from the Sakha heroic epic, the Russian production brought Arctic folklore to life through a visually immersive performance. Equally compelling was ‘Mehroon’, written by Sarah Marriam and directed by Amitesh Grover. This Hindi and Bengali drama from Mumbai explored layered emotions and modern dilemmas, earning warm applause for its depth and sensitivity.
Under the Jashn-e-Bachpan segment, ‘Khel Khel Mein’, guided by Devendra Raj Ankur and based on stories by K Shivkumar, Asghar Wajahat and Amarkant, delighted young audiences with imaginative storytelling. Meanwhile, “Rumiyana”, written by Shaaz Ahemad and directed by Dadi D Pudumjee, blended Hindi and English in a visually inventive presentation mounted by a leading puppet theatre trust.
The festival’s Delhi University sub-venue also commenced with strong performances. ‘Gudiya Ki Shaadi’, written by Samta Sagar and directed by Sanjay Shrivastava, offered a poignant Hindi drama. Mauritius added an international flavour with “Samay Chakra”, written by Leenisha Dabydoyal and directed by Rajeshwar Seetohul. Presented in Hindi and English, it explored cultural fusion and philosophical themes.
The evening intensified with ‘Sita Banbas’, written by Agha Hashar Kashmiri and directed by Atul Tiwari. The adaptation revisited a powerful mythological episode with emotional and moral complexity. The day concluded with “The Old Man and The Sea, Kathakali of the Morrow”, written by Mohandas Romanta and Aneesh Shanke and directed by Neeraj G M. This Malayalam production reimagined a global literary classic through the stylised language of Kathakali.
Beyond performances, the festival offered meaningful interactions. Veteran actor and NSD alumnus Vineet Kumar reflected on the power of theatre as a vehicle of human expression. Casting director Shruti Mahajan shared insights into the craft and industry processes, while the Yamini Gupta Band energised the open stage with live music.
Running from 27 January to 20 February 2026, BRM 2026 spans 25 days and features over 277 productions across 228 Indian and international languages, with participation from nine countries. With children’s groups, tribal artists and performers from marginalized communities, the festival continues to celebrate inclusivity while expanding theatre’s reach through initiatives such as Rang Akash and the OTT platform Natyam.
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