Bharat Rang Mahotsav holds 25th edition in Rohtak University from Feb 9 to 12
CHANDIGARH: The world’s largest international theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsav (Bharangam), will hold its 25th edition from February 9 to 12 at the Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLCSUPVA), Rohtak. In this festival, teams from India and abroad will present nationally and internationally acclaimed theatrical performances in various styles and forms. This festival is organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, in collaboration with DLCSUPVA. On Wednesday, the poster for the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav was launched in a packed hall at the DLCSUPVA Guest House. During this event, DLCSUPVA’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Amit Arya, Registrar Dr Gunjan Malik Manocha, Bharangam coordinator and senior acting expert from NSD Professor Suman Vaidya, among others, were present. DLCSUPVA’s VC Amit Arya stated that on February 9, Pragya Arts Theatre Group, Delhi, will present “Umeed – Manushya Zinda Hai”. Its author is Sachchidanand Joshi, and the director is Lakshmi Rawat. On February 10, Manch Rangmanch, Amritsar, Punjab, will stage “Sandal Baar”. Its author is Harjeet Singh, and the director is Rahul Maliwal. On February 11, the Department of Fine Arts, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, will showcase “Umar Ka Parwana”. Its author is Vijaydan Detha, and the director is Adish Kumar Verma. He mentioned that on February 12, Apoorva Theatre Group, Sri Lanka, will present “Colombo Hathe Thorana”, adding an international dimension to the festival. Its author and director will be Chamika Hathlabaththuwa. Addressing theatre enthusiasts, Arya said that recent developments gave Rohtak and Haryana’s theatre and cultural landscape a special place in India’s cultural circuit. Hosting Bharangam in Rohtak is a meaningful effort for the broader welfare of art forms in India and is a proud moment for the city. DLCSUPVA is making significant contributions to the state’s art and culture. The VC further stated that the international theatre festival Bharangam left its cultural mark across the country. Performances were held simultaneously in Nagaon, Ranchi, Raipur, Gangtok, Paradeep, Varanasi, Bangalore, Patna, Itanagar, Kolkata, Imphal, Sakhalin, and Dimapur, decentralising theatre and bringing world-class plays to as many art lovers as possible. This festival is celebrated at 41 locations across all states, with only Rohtak’s DLCSUPVA representing Haryana. Suman Vaidya, coordinator of Bharangam and senior acting expert from NSD, said that the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), is the largest international theatre festival in the world. The 25th edition of Bharangam will run from January 27 to February 20 for 25 days, showcasing more than 277 performances in 228 Indian and international languages, including several underrepresented languages. This festival is a mix of national, international, and regional performances, with participation from theatre groups of 9 countries, as well as from each state and union territory. Professor Suman Vaidya said that, celebrating India’s theatrical diversity, Bharangam features performances by groups of children, tribal communities, and artists from marginalised sections, which demonstrates NSD’s commitment to inclusivity and the universalisation of theatre.
