The National School of Drama (NSD) inaugurated the opening ceremony of its flagship Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the International Theatre Festival of India, on January 29, 2025. The occasion was graced by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, as the Chief Guest. Fondly called ‘Bharangam,’ BRM is the world’s largest theatre festival, which completed a successful run of 25 years in 2024. Through this pioneering initiative, NSD continues to expand the festival’s outreach with enhanced international engagement, building on last year’s theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Vande Bharangam.’ In collaboration with Directorate of Art & Culture, Goa the festival is ongoing until February 1, 2025 at Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy.
(L-R) Chittaranjan Tripathy, Sagun R. Velip, CM Dr. Pramod Sawant, Prof Bharat Gupt, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Goa Dr. Pramod P Sawant welcomed Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 and said, “I am delighted to have National School of Drama (NSD) and the Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 here in Goa. I believe a deeper collaboration between Goa and NSD would be immensely beneficial, and I invite them to consider establishing an institute here, offering Goans and others access to their invaluable expertise. This celebration of art, theater, and culture is truly inspiring.” He further added, “It is wonderful to see so many languages from across India given a single platform to reach such a wide audience. I hope to see Konkani represented among the voices celebrated at this prestigious festival in future.”
The event saw the presence of several esteemed dignitaries. Shri V. Candavelou, IAS, Chief Secretary of Goa, attended as the Guest of Honour, along with Special Guests Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Secretary of Art & Culture, Goa, and Shri Sagun R. Velip, Director of Art & Culture, Goa. Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairman of the National School of Drama Society, presided over the event as Chair, while Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama, delivered the Welcome Address. The presence of these distinguished leaders added immense value and significance to this grand occasion.
Play Naagmandal
The featured play Naagmandal, written by renowned playwright Girish Karnad (two-time Padma Awardee, Sahitya Akademi Award winner 1994), left a profound impact on the audience. Performed by Satvik Art Society, Chandigarh and directed by Amit Sanouria & Sarver Ali, the play explored the intricacies of love, marriage and societal struggles.
Welcoming one and all to Bharangam 2025, Professor Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairperson, National School of Drama Society said, “As we celebrate Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025, marking the 65th Anniversary of the National School of Drama and the 60th Anniversary of the NSD Repertory Company, we embrace ‘Ek Rang, Shrestha Rang,’/ (One Expression, Supreme Creation) as theatre unites us all, transcending borders through the universal language of storytelling.” Noted actor and NSD alumnus Sh. Rajpal Yadav has been named the Rang Doot (Festival Ambassador) for this year.
Play Naagmandal,
BRM 2025 spans 20 days, from January 28, – February 16, 2025, and will feature more than 200 unique productions from 9 different countries apart from India, showcased across 11 locations in India and 2 in Kathmandu and Colombo. International theatre groups from Russia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Nepal, Taiwan, Spain, and Sri Lanka are participating. Alongside the festival’s epicenter in Delhi, Indian satellite locations include Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bathinda, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Khairagarh and Ranchi including Goa.
Furthermore, after securing the World Book of Records, London’s Certificate for ‘Largest Number of Artistic Performances on a Common Theme’ with 2024’s Jan Bharat Rang project, National School of Drama (NSD) has initiated ‘Vishwa Jan Rang’, virtual performances of short plays by NRIs across seven continents worldwide, and by the youth of India. The monumental success of the festival in terms of its scale and wider reach, has secured a place for the festival in the Guinness World Records for Largest Theatre Festival (Plays) this year.
(l-R) Sagun R. Velip, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, CM Dr. Pramod Sawant, Prof Bharat Gupt and Chittaranjan Tripathy
Notably, the Bharat Rang Mahotsav coincides with the 65th Anniversary of the National School of Drama, and the 60th Anniversary of the National School of Drama Repertory Company. To commemorate these milestones, the Repertory Company is celebrating the Rang Shashthi theatre festival series, staging some of its most popular plays on various platforms across the nation.
BRM 2025 is featuring a parallel student-led fiesta, Advitiya 2025. This gives an opportunity to connect with students at other universities. Their festival features Street Theatre, Folk Bands, Open Stage, Talks, and more, fully curated and conducted by the current batch of First, Second, and Third Years.
Bharat Rang Mahotsav, since its inception in 1999, provides a platform for Indian theatre artists, and has grown as a knowledge-sharing platform. Performances of Folk and Traditional Forms from across India, Director-audience dialogues, seminars, and masterclasses will explore various facets of theatre in the form of Allied Events. A program on literary arts, ‘Shruti’ will feature book launches and discussions. There is also the vibrant Rang Haat, and Food Bazaar.
Program Schedule for Goa:
Wed, Jan 29, 2025 (Opening Ceremony)
Play – Naagmandal (Hindi)
Writer: Girish Karnad / Translation: B. R. Narayan / Director: Amit Sanouria & Sarver Ali
Group: Satvik Art Society, Chandigarh
Time: 6:00 PM (110 mins)
Thu, Jan 30, 2025
Play – Palshetchi Vihir (Marathi)
Writer: Vijay Kumar Naik / Director: Deepak Amonker
Group: Rudreshwar Panaji, Goa
Time: 6:00 PM (110 mins)
Fri, Jan 31, 2025
Play – Mai Ri Main Ka Se Kahun (Hindi)
Writer: Vijaydan Detha / Director: Ajay Kumar
Group: NSD Repertory, New Delhi
Time: 6:00 PM (110 mins)
Sat, Feb 1, 2025 (Closing Ceremony)
Play – Babuji (Hindi)
Writer: Mithileshwar / Adapt: Vibhanshu Vaibhav / Director: Rajesh Singh
Group: NSD Repertory, New Delhi
Time: 6:00 PM (110 mins)
