Delhi hosts grand opening of 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, world’s largest theatre festival
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) at the National School of Drama (NSD), Mandi House, marking the silver jubilee of the world’s largest international theatre festival.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, Shekhawat said the festival serves as a major cultural bridge, connecting India’s diverse artistic traditions with global audiences. He noted that such platforms contribute to reshaping international perceptions of Indian heritage and creativity.
The event saw participation from prominent personalities representing theatre, cinema, arts and cultural institutions. Those present included Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture (Guest of Honour), K. Nandini Singla, Director General, ICCR (Special Guest), and actor Mita Vashisht, who attended as “Rang Doot”.
The ceremony was chaired by NSD Society Vice Chairperson and Padma Shri awardee Prof. Bharat Gupt. NSD Director Chittaranjan Tripathy delivered the welcome address, Registrar Pradeep K. Mohanty proposed the vote of thanks, and the programme was hosted by actor and NSD alumnus Shrivardhan Trivedi.
A key highlight of the evening was the launch of NSD’s new digital platforms — the app-based radio station “Rang Akash” and the OTT platform “Naatyam”. The Culture Minister formally unveiled the two initiatives, aimed at expanding NSD’s global and online outreach.
Celebrating 25 years of the festival, BRM 2026 is being organised on its largest scale so far, covering over 40 locations across India and one country on every continent. This year’s edition features 277 Indian and 12 international productions staged in 288 languages and dialects, showcasing a mix of traditional theatre, contemporary experimentation and cross-cultural collaborations.
According to ministry, the milestone edition underscores India’s commitment to fostering artistic innovation and global cultural engagement, while strengthening its position on the world theatre map.
