The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, also known as “Bharangam,” kicks off in New Delhi on January 27. This year marks a significant milestone, featuring productions by 33 women directors and theatre groups from 15 countries. Director Chittaranjan Tripathy shared exciting details about this year’s lineup, which includes 277 Indian plays and 12 international productions from countries like Russia, Spain, and Nepal.
The festival aims to showcase a vast array of performances, with productions in 228 languages and dialects. This is the largest gathering of international theatre in the world, highlighting diverse styles—from classical to avant-garde. Tripathy emphasized this year’s commitment to include at least one production from each continent.
In addition to the main performances, the festival will host university and local productions, expanding its reach to various audiences. Notably, it will also introduce a new NSD radio station and an OTT channel to air theatrical shows, along with a podcast series. This initiative aims to make theatre more accessible, especially in regions with limited access to cultural events.
For the first time, the festival will focus on underrepresented Indian languages like Maithili and Bhojpuri, highlighting their unique cultural heritage. This outreach includes new local centres in places like Ladakh and the Andaman Islands, ensuring that theatre reaches wider audiences.
Another first for this year’s festival is the inclusion of productions by marginalized groups, including transgender communities and senior citizens. This move is part of a broader effort to democratize theatre in India, making it more inclusive and reflective of its diverse society.
In a nod to the tradition of honoring influential figures in theatre, the festival will pay tribute to legends such as Ebrahim Alkazi and Ratan Thiyam. Additionally, the “Theatre Bazaar” segment continues, inviting new, unpublished plays for awards and publication.
Overall, the Bharat Rang Mahotsav serves as a vibrant symbol of cultural unity and creative expression in India, blending old and new narratives.
For more insights on theatre and culture in India, you can explore reports from Theatre Roundtable and other reputable sources.
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Bharat Rang Mahotsav,National School of Drama,theatre festival,international productions,women directors
