The day began with an insightful session by actor Pankaj Tripathi, who spoke candidly about his life, sharing how his experiences shaped him as an artist. He narrated engaging anecdotes and reflected on the constant support of his life partner, whom he described as an inseparable part of his journey and success.
Similarly, Tigmanshu Dhulia offered a glimpse into his creative evolution—from his involvement as a casting professional in Bandit Queen to his long association with the late actor Irrfan Khan. Fondly remembering their bond, Dhulia said that Irrfan was not only a remarkable actor but also a deeply creative individual who approached scripts with a holistic understanding that went far beyond his own lines.
The day also witnessed the graceful conclusion of Baal Sangam, a programme dedicated to folk performances by children from diverse states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland and Tripura, among others. The ceremony was graced by Shri Rajiv Velicheti, theatre academic and Associate Professor at the University of Hyderabad; Shri Marto Bagra, Assistant Resident Commissioner representing the State of Arunachal Pradesh; and Vaishali Singh, IAS (2019 batch), Administrator of HSVP, Gurugram.
The festival featured WYSIWYG, written and directed by Teertha Bhatt and performed by Pitara from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in English, setting a witty and imaginative tone for young audiences.
This was followed by Sojan Badiar Ghat, written and directed by Goutam Halder with verses by Jasim Uddin and presented by Naye Natua from Kolkata, West Bengal, in Bengali.
The day further elevated with the visually rich Karna No Vesh – Bhavai, directed by P. S. Chari and performed by Triveni from Vadodara, Gujarat, in Hindi, celebrating the compelling vibrancy of traditional storytelling.
Also featured was Manduka Upakhyana, written by Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi and directed by Dolgovind Rath, presented by the RANGADHAARAAA Academy of Theatre Art & Repertoire from Odisha in Odia.
The energy continued with La Ilaaj, directed by Faiz Mohammed Khan and staged by Roopkatha Rangmanch from Mumbai in Hindi.
A special non-ticketed presentation, Veer Abhimanyu, directed by Hema Singh, showcased a spirited first-year Parsi demo by students.
Another highlight of the evening was a multimedia theatrical dance production, Sarees of India (Textile), written and directed by Jayalakshmi Eshwar and performed by the Abhinaya Group from Delhi in English, offering a visually captivating narrative of textile heritage.
The festival also hosted the internationally collaborative production Life Is a Dream, written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca and directed by Ignacio Garcia, presented by the Monica De La Fuente Company with artists from Spain, performed in Spanish, Hindi, and Malayalam.
On the sidelines of various insightful and entertaining activities during BRM 2026, NSD also commenced its Theatre Appreciation Course — a week-long learning journey designed to introduce participants to the essential elements of theatre. Through expert-led sessions, discussions on performance, design, music, and direction, along with curated screenings of significant plays, the course offered a rich and engaging experience for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the art form.