Bhubaneswar: The International Theatre Festival of India, also known as Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) or Bharangam, is organised every year by the National School of Drama (NSD) – New Delhi offering theatre-goers a rich tapestry of Indian and global theatre traditions. BRM’s 25th edition, a 21- day event, began February 1, 2024 featuring over 150 plays, along with workshops and discussions, in 15 Indian cities. In the Bhubaneswar leg of the event, six plays will be staged at Rabindra Mandap beginning Thursday.
The dramas shows to be performed are: Taj Mahal Ka Tender (Language – Hindi; playwright – Ajay Shukla; Troupe-Repertory Company (New Delhi) Direction –Chittaranjan Tripathy), Agni Aur Barkha (Language – Hindi; Playwright – Girish Karnad; Direction – KS Rajendran; Troupe- Sri Ram Centre, New Delhi), Chitraganda (Language – Bengali; Playwright – Rabindra Nath Tagore; Direction – Zahid Repon; Troupe- Swapnadal, Dhaka), Tadanta (Language – Assamese; Playwright – GB Priestley; Direction – Dakhina Sharma; Troupe- Silpa Kanon, Nagaon, Assam), Naagmandal (Language – Hindi; Playwright – Girish Karnad; Direction – Satyabrat Rout; Troupe- Black Pearl Arts, New Delhi) Asharasya Prothom Diboshe (Language – Bengali; Playwright – Mohan Rakesh; TranslationAnshuman Bhowmik; Direction – Alok Basu; Troupe- Theatre Factory, Dhaka).
Expressing enthusiasm at a presser held on the occasion at the Sanskruti Bhawan here, Odisha-born Chittaranjan Tripathy, the Director of NSD, said, “The upcoming edition promises to be a grand celebration, showcasing not only the extraordinary creativity within the theatrical realm but also emphasising the beauty of collaboration. We are dedicated to fostering the magic of theatre, providing a platform for diverse voices and narratives to thrive.” He went on to add, “This year’s festivities will not only mark a milestone but also reaffirm our steadfast belief in the transformative power of the performing arts.”