Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurates the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 at the National School of Drama.
Photo Credit: PIB
New Delhi, January 28, 2026: The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the 25th 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 Wednesday evening.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the pivotal role of Bharat Rang Mahotsav as a powerful platform that connects India’s diverse cultural traditions, narratives, and artistic expressions with global audiences.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized that festivals like BRM play a crucial role in reshaping global perceptions of Indian art and culture by offering deeper insights into the country’s rich and living cultural heritage on an international stage.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other distinguished dignitaries grace the occasion:
The prestigious opening ceremony was attended by eminent personalities from the fields of art, culture, cinema, and theatre.
Chief Guest—Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Government of India, Guest of Honor—Vivek Agarawal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Special Guest—K. Nandini Singla, Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Rang Doot—Mita Vashisht, noted actor and alumna of the National School of Drama.
The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairperson, NSD society, and Padma Shri awardee.
The welcome address was delivered by Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD, while the vote of thanks was presented by Pradeep K. Mohanty, Registrar, NSD.
The program was seamlessly compared by Shrivardhan Trivedi, noted actor and NSD alumnus.
Major digital Initiatives launched:
A key highlight of the evening was the launch of two major digital initiatives of NSD by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: “Rang Akash”—NSD’s App-based Radio Station, “Naatyam”—NSD’s dedicated OTT platform.
These initiatives mark a significant step towards enhancing NSD’s digital presence and global outreach, making theatre more accessible to audiences worldwide.
Celebrating 25 years of theatrical excellence, Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 is being held in its largest-ever format, spanning over 40 locations across India and one country on each continent.
The festival features 277 Indian productions, 12 international productions, and performances in 288 languages and dialects.
The program showcases a dynamic blend of traditional theatre forms, contemporary theatrical experiments, and cross-cultural collaborations, reinforcing dialogue between cultures through the performing arts.
A testament to India’s cultural ethos:
The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav stands as a testament to India’s enduring cultural ethos and its unwavering commitment to creative exchange, artistic innovation, and global cultural understanding, reaffirming the nation’s position as a vibrant hub of performing arts on the world stage.
EOM.
