The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav arrives in Mumbai on February 7, celebrating global theatre, folk traditions, music, and literature with performances, discussions, and cultural exchange across India in a landmark silver jubilee edition.

Mumbai is set to take centre stage in India’s most spectacular theatrical celebration as the 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 arrives in the city on 7 February, bringing with it a vibrant confluence of performance traditions, global storytelling and cultural dialogue.

Organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), Bharat Rang Mahotsav—recognised as the world’s largest international theatre festival—marks its silver jubilee year with an ambitious 25-day nationwide celebration from 27 January to 20 February 2026, spanning 41 locations across India and showcasing the diversity and dynamism of contemporary theatre.

Mumbai Welcomes the World’s Largest Theatre Festival

The Mumbai chapter of BRM 2026 will formally open on 7 February 2026 at 12:30 pm, marking the festival’s arrival in India’s cultural capital. Hosted by Picture N Kraft on behalf of NSD, the inauguration will take place at Durga Chamber, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, in the presence of Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Maharashtra, alongside eminent personalities from the world of arts and culture.

The opening signals not merely the arrival of a festival, but the beginning of an immersive celebration of performance traditions from across India and the world—bringing together theatre practitioners, musicians, scholars and audiences in a shared cultural space.

A Silver Jubilee of Theatre Without Borders

The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav stands as a monumental milestone in India’s theatrical journey. Over its 25-day run, BRM 2026 will present more than 277 productions across 228 Indian and international languages, including several underrepresented and indigenous tongues. With participation from theatre groups representing every Indian state and union territory, as well as artists from nine countries, the festival reaffirms India’s position as a global epicentre of theatre.

From children’s theatre and tribal performances to avant-garde contemporary productions and international collaborations, the festival celebrates inclusivity and accessibility. It continues NSD’s longstanding mission to democratise theatre and take world-class performances beyond metropolitan centres to audiences across regions.

While Delhi remains the central hub of the festival, BRM 2026 has extended its cultural footprint across the country with simultaneous performances in cities including Nagaon, Ranchi, Raipur, Gangtok, Paradeep, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Patna, Itanagar, Kolkata, Imphal, Sakhalin and Dimapur. This decentralised approach ensures that theatre lovers across India can experience the richness of global and regional performance traditions.

The festival’s programming extends beyond stage productions to include street plays, film screenings, live music performances, band showcases, book launches and panel discussions, creating a holistic cultural ecosystem that celebrates storytelling in all its forms.

A Confluence of Traditions and Global Voices

The festival in Delhi on its eighth day, held on 3 February, exemplified the spirit of BRM 2026 through a compelling blend of Indian folk traditions and international theatre.

A major highlight was Shree Devi Mahatme, a traditional Yakshagana production written by Shri Nidhi Shetty and directed by Bhuvan Manipal. Presented by Ambabhavani Kala Arts from Udupi, the Tulu-language performance brought the rich performative heritage of coastal Karnataka to audiences with colour, rhythm and mythic storytelling.

Adding a powerful international dimension was Dr. King’s Last Night (I Have a Dream) by Katori Hall, directed by Buddhika Damayantha and presented by the Red Wings Theatre Group from Sri Lanka. Performed in Sinhala, the production offered a moving theatrical reflection on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the global struggle for civil rights.

The day also featured Jab Jago Tab Savera, a devised Hindi play by NSD’s Theatre-in-Education (TIE) Sunday Club, led by Rajeshwari Nandi and assisted by Amaresh Kumar. The production engaged audiences with its socially relevant narrative and contemporary resonance.

Student theatre groups from Deshbandhu College, Delhi Technological University and Delhi College of Arts’ Prativimb used street theatre to address pressing social concerns including toxic masculinity, civic responsibility and public disengagement, demonstrating the power of theatre as a tool for social awareness.

Music, Literature and Cinema Enrich the Festival

The festival’s interdisciplinary spirit came alive through music, literature and cinema. As part of Advitiya, presented by the NSD Students’ Union, renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi delivered a vibrant band performance titled Sonchiraiya, adding a musical crescendo to the celebrations.

Another highlight was the launch of Malini Awasthi’s book Chandan Kiwad, followed by an engaging discussion with Vani Tripathi ‘Tikku’, underscoring the festival’s commitment to theatre literature and intellectual exchange.

Cinema also found a place within the festival through the screening of the Gujarati film Kundaalu at Chahumukh, followed by an online interaction with producers Neena Arora and Suchitra Parikh, bridging the worlds of film and theatre.

Expanding Theatre’s Reach Through Technology

In recent years, NSD has expanded its vision of theatre outreach through digital initiatives such as Rang Akash, its internet radio platform dedicated to theatre, and Natyam, an OTT platform that makes archival and contemporary productions accessible to audiences nationwide. These initiatives complement the festival’s physical performances, ensuring theatre reaches wider and more diverse audiences.

As Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 arrives in Mumbai, it brings with it not just performances but a powerful reminder of theatre’s enduring role as a space for dialogue, reflection and community. The festival’s silver jubilee edition is a testament to India’s extraordinary theatrical diversity and its capacity to engage with global narratives while remaining rooted in local traditions.

With its rich programming and inclusive spirit, BRM 2026 promises Mumbai audiences an unforgettable encounter with the transformative power of performance—celebrating theatre as a living, breathing art that continues to connect cultures, communities and generations.

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