Among them was Swami Vivekanand Ka Punarpath, written and directed by Akhilmendra Mishra of Rangmanch Parampara, Mumbai. The production revisited the visionary philosopher’s journey, leaving the audience stirred by its depth and emotional resonance. Crowds were then drawn into the timeless world of Indian folklore through Folktales from Panchtantra, written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma and directed by Manish Sachdeva, presented by Puppet Studio India, Delhi. The performance brought beloved fables to life with artistic flair, captivating viewers across age groups.
Adding to the power-packed line-up, the emotionally rich play Gudiya Ki Shaadi, written by Samta Sagar and directed by Sanjay Shrivastava, staged by Madhya Pradesh Natya Vidhyalaya, Bhopal, delivered a poignant narrative that gripped theatre lovers from the very first scene. As part of the festival’s Jashn-e-Bachpan segment, young performers shone bright in Ye Raftaarein, a devised production led by Kajal Khanna and Ashish Atrey from NSD TIE, Sunday Club Part-1, Group-K. The play showcased a refreshing burst of youthful creativity and thought-provoking themes, earning heartfelt applause.
The festival day also featured a captivating street play that drew massive crowds with its raw, immersive energy. Adding to the cultural vibrance, the renowned Manganiyar Band delivered a spellbinding musical showcase, turning the atmosphere electric and leaving audiences cheering for more.
The festival is now being organised simultaneously across several parts of India, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai. It has already travelled to states and Union Territories such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Odisha, among others.
With such a dynamic mix of performances, 11 February emerged as one of the festival’s most unforgettable days, drawing packed houses, buzzing conversations and widespread acclaim, marking a monumental chapter in the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026.
The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), is the world’s largest international theatre festival. The 25th edition, BRM 2026, spans 25 days from 27 January to 20 February 2026, showcasing over 277 productions across 228 Indian and international languages, including several underrepresented tongues. The festival brings together national, international and regional productions, with participation from 9 countries and theatre groups from every state and union territory.
Celebrating India’s theatrical diversity, BRM 2026 includes performances by children’s groups, tribal communities, and artists from marginalised sections, reaffirming NSD’s commitment to inclusivity and the universalisation of theatre.
NSD has been continuously working towards the spread and democratisation of theatre. Recently, it launched Rang Akash, internet radio to promote theatre along with launching its OTT platform Natyam to avail some of its prized productions to theatre lovers across the nation.