The National School of Drama (NSD) inaugurated the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, the world’s largest international theatre festival. Held in Delhi, the festival’s epicenter, and 40 other cities in India covering all states and union territories, BRM 2026 will also feature performances in at least one country from each continent, encompassing 288 languages and dialects. The festival embodies the theme Samvad Sanskrityon Ka, reflecting the motto ‘Dialogue of Cultures.’
The inaugural evening was graced by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture & Tourism as the Chief Guest; Vivek Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, as Guest of Honour; K Nandini Singla, Director General, ICCR as Special Guest; and Madhur Bhandarkar, renowned film director and producer, as Distinguished Guest. The proceedings were chaired by Prof Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairman, NSD Society, with the welcome address delivered by Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD. Mita Vasisht, NSD alumna and acclaimed theatre and cine artist, has been appointed as this year’s Rangdoot(Festival Ambassador)
The programme began with Chittaranjan Tripathy’s welcome address, followed by the arrival of the Hon’ble Union Minister, accompanied by Panch Vadhyam, and the Hon’ble Secretary (Culture), Vivek Aggarwal, IAS, along with other distinguished guests. The ceremony commenced with the lighting of the lamp and the BRM anthem, performed by repertory artists. Felicitations for the Hon’ble Culture Minister and esteemed guests were followed by a BRM film screening.
Festival Ambassador Mita Vasisht addressed the gathering, sharing her thoughts on theatre and its power to connect cultures. Special Guest Shri Madhur Bhandarkar and Padma Shree Prof. Bharat Gupt , also shared their remarks. The Hon’ble Culture Minister then released NSD’s OTT and radio station, Rang Akash. This was followed by an address by Shri Vivek Aggarwal, IAS who read out the message of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for 25th Edition of the BRM and then gave his ashirvachan.
Addressing a galaxy of artists, theatre students, and audience members, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Government of India said ”The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav embodied India’s timeless cultural strength and its unwavering commitment to nurturing artistic expression. This festival stands as a testament to our nation’s belief that theatre is not merely a performance, but a powerful medium that binds communities, preserves heritage, and inspires future generations. I am proud to witness India leading the world in cultural dialogue and creative excellence. It has been an honour to support an initiative that strengthens India’s cultural fabric and elevates our artistic legacy globally.”
The opening day of BRM 2026 featured the play Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, directed by Dr Rekha Mehra, offering a culturally enriching and memorable experience.
Speaking at the festival, Prof. Bharat Gupt said “Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 stands as an epitome of the democratisation and universalisation of theatre - embodying the Indian ethos of a shared creative continuum.”
Summarising the spirit of the festival, ChittaranjanTripathy, Director, NSD, stated: “Theatre, a confluence of many arts enabled by science, is essentially a reflection of society. By bridging societal gaps, Bharat Rang Mahotsav2026 brings together theatre in diverse forms and styles, across languages, geographies and age groups. The festival represents theatre for all ages, transcending socio-cultural boundaries.”
“Theatre has the power to further the noble idea of Samvad Sanskrityon Ka, or dialogue between cultures. It is a true reflection of the eternal Indian motto, VasudhaivaKutumbakam," the Director of NSD added.
Scheduled from 27 January to 20 February 2026, the festival will present 136 Indian and 12 foreign plays in 277 shows, including at least one performance from each continent. This year also features 33 women directors and 17 book launches.
BRM 2026 includes dedicated theatrical performances paying homage to freedom fighters like Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and Lokmata Ahilya Bai, along with tributes to theatre stalwarts such as Shri EbrahimAlkazi, Shri Daya Prakash Sinha, and Alok Chatterjee.
BRM 2026 stands as an epitome of the universalization of theatre, showcasing a wide spectrum of forms, from classical to physical, folk to modern, and productions for children and adults. The festival also provides a platform for underrepresented languages, disenfranchised communities, and reaches out to several underexplored cities, truly echoing the spirit of cultural dialogue.
