The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the 25^th Edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, the world’s largest international theatre festival, at the National School of Drama (NSD), Mandi House, New Delhi, with a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the role of Bharat Rang Mahotsav as a powerful platform that connects India’s diverse cultural traditions, stories, and artistic expressions with audiences across the world. He emphasized that such festivals help transform global perceptions of India’s art and culture by enabling a deeper understanding of the nation’s rich cultural heritage on an international stage.

The prestigious opening ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries from the fields of art, culture, cinema, and theatre.

Chief Guest: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Government of India. Guest of Honour: Shri Vivek Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Special Guest: Ms. K. Nandini Singla, Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Rang Doot: Ms. Mita Vashisht, noted actor and National School of Drama alumna.

The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairperson, NSD Society and Padma Shri awardee. The welcome address was delivered by Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD, and the vote of thanks was presented by Shri Pradeep K. Mohanty, Registrar, NSD. The programme was compered by Shri Shrivardhan Trivedi, noted actor and NSD alumnus.

A key highlight of the evening was the launch of the NSD App-based Radio Station “Rang Akash” and the NSD OTT platform “Naatyam”, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister, marking a significant step in strengthening NSD’s digital and global outreach.

Celebrating 25 years of theatrical excellence, Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 is being held in its largest format to date, spanning over 40 locations across India and one country on each continent. The festival features 277 Indian and 12 international productions, presented in 288 languages and dialects, showcasing a vibrant blend of traditional theatre forms, contemporary experiments, and cross-cultural dialogue.

25 Years of Bharat Rang Mahotsav | Grand Inauguration at National School of Drama pic.twitter.com/75dD0J4uqW

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) January 27, 2026

The 25^th Bharat Rang Mahotsav stands as a testament to India’s enduring cultural ethos and its commitment to fostering creative exchange, artistic innovation, and global cultural understanding.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

 

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