Bathinda Hosts Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 by National School of Drama at Balwant Gargi Auditorium

BATHINDA: The National School of Drama (NSD) inaugurated the opening ceremony of its flagship Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the International Theatre Festival of India, on February 8, 2025 at Balwant Gargi Auditorium Bathinda, Punjab. 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.’

The opening of Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 in Bathinda was graced by a distinguished assembly of dignitaries, setting the stage for an unforgettable cultural journey. Chief Guest Shri Amarjit Singh Mehta, President of the Punjab Cricket Association, Mohali, Punjab, inaugurated the event with his esteemed presence, while Guest of Honour Shri Sameer Upadhyay, Ex-OSD to the Chairman of NSD Society, added to the occasion’s significance. Chairing the proceedings, Shri Ram Ji Bali, Associate Professor at the National School of Drama, brought his rich academic insight, and the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Kulin Kumar Joshi, Assistant Professor at the Central University of Punjab, whose gracious words concluded the ceremony with profound appreciation. Also present at the event was Sh Padamjeet Mehta, Mayor of Bathinda Municipal Corporation, who graciously played a key role in making BRM 2025 possible in Bathinda.

“One Expression, Supreme Creation.” This slogan for Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 resonates with the spirit of unity in creative expression, and the oneness of all. Noted actor and NSD alumnus Sh. Rajpal Yadav has been named the Rang Doot (Festival Ambassador) for this year.

In collaboration with Municipal Corporation Bathinda the Opening Ceremony was followed by the presentation of Hindi play - 5 August, 1947 (Antim Raat) written by Bratya Basu and directed by Vijay Kumar. The festival is ongoing in Bathinda until February 12, 2025 at Balwant Gargi Auditorium, Bathinda, Punjab.

Take a glance at the programme schedule for Bathinda, Punjab:

Speaking on the occasion, Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama, said: "Bharat Rang Mahotsav has become a quintessential theatre festival on the global stage with its expansive approach. It has not only served as a platform for theatre performances from around the world but has also offered opportunities for the amalgamation of various traditional performing art forms. Additionally, it has facilitated knowledge-sharing and idea-exchange among individuals from the dramatic arts and other creative fields."

Rajpal Yadav shared his thoughts as, “To return to NSD as a Rangdoot for Bharangam 2025, after graduating as a student in 1997, feels like life has come full circle. As I celebrate 25 years in cinema, I'm deeply moved to be part of this incredible gathering. It's truly commendable to witness the high level of artistry achieved here, often with limited resources, a stark contrast to the world of cinema. I'm awestruck.” He further added, “With a mission to unite people through theatre and natya, I stand with you now and always. NSD, one of the world’s premier theatre institutes, has produced extraordinary talent, and under the leadership of Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, I have no doubt that we will soon be recognized as leaders on the global stage."

Welcoming one and all to Bharangam 2025, Professor Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairperson, National School of Drama 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, Shreshth Rang, ' (One Expression, Supreme Creation) as theatre unites us all, transcending borders through the universal language of storytelling. With the Rang Shashthi festival taking iconic productions to cities across India and beyond, we honour our legacy while looking forward to a future of limitless creativity. Welcome to a festival that celebrates unity, excellence, and the timeless power of theatre."

BRM 2025, which spans a period of 20 days, from January 28, 2025 to February 16, 2025, is in the process of featuring more than 200 unique productions from 9 different countries apart from India, showcased across 11 locations in India and 2 abroad, which are Kathmandu and Colombo. International theatre groups participating in the said festival are hailing from Russia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Nepal, Taiwan, Spain, and Sri Lanka.

Alongside the festival’s epicenter in Delhi, Indian satellite locations include Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Goa, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Khairagarh and Ranchi including Bhatinda.

"In continuation of NSD's legacy, we are organising the Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 in two international locations this time. In the coming years, we aim to broaden the scope of this festival further, and extend it to other continents, " Shri Tripathy added.

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. That, along with the monumental success of the festival in terms of its scale and wider reach, bolsters the confidence of NSD officials in securing a place for the festival in the Guinness World Records for Largest Theatre Festival (Plays) this year.

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. The Company is also presenting its productions during BRM 2025 in locations such as Colombo, Kathmandu, Bengaluru, and Goa.

BRM 2025 is featuring a parallel student-led fiesta, Advitiya 2025. Advitiya has existed almost as long as BRM itself, giving NSDians an opportunity to connect with students from across disciplines, studying at other universities and practicing performing arts. 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.

While the primary objective of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav, since its inception in 1999, has been to provide a platform for Indian theatre artists, it has grown as a knowledge-sharing platform too, offering a plethora of enriching experiences. Ambience Performances of Folk and Traditional Forms from across India will entertain audiences outside various gathering spaces; Director-audience dialogues, seminars, and masterclasses will explore various facets of theatre in the form of Allied Events, sparking stimulating conversations and insights. Moreover, a dedicated programme on literary arts, ‘Shruti’ will feature book launches and discussions on literature. Attendees can immerse themselves in the vibrant Rang Haat, and explore the diverse offerings at the Food Bazaar, letting the spirit of theatre truly captivate them.