“I had no idea that there were many theater mandals in Bengaluru and Karnataka. I wanted to meet people from close to 30 separate theater mandals due to the exhibition here. My classmates and I was surprised to see that there are many teams that have been around for more than 50 years. It was a cure for folk artists performing Krishna Parijaath, “20 -year -old Ananya K., a theater student of a popular college in the city, theater festival Bhangam, a theater student said in 2025.

Bharangam or BRM – Small for the Bharat Rang Festival for the International Theater Festival of India is one of the most anticipated incidents for theater communities across the country. Conducted by the National School of Drama (NSD), this year marks the 25th year hosting Bharangam of NSD, which is happening in many cities in India and abroad. On 28 January, the festival is characterized by 123 products by 110 Indian groups in 13 cities of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and 10 foreign groups in 13 separate languages.

In Bengaluru, the program began on 1 February in collaboration with the Karnataka Nataka Academy and Kannada and Culture Department, Government of Karnataka. It will go to Kalgram by 8 February in Mallathalli. The Bangalore version of the festival is hosting around 1,500 artists and a footfall of about 5,000 people has been seen in most days of the festival.

The festival site in Bengaluru is marked by an infectious enthusiasm. Licith Sharma, a visiting festival, said, “I never realized that Bengaluru and Karnataka had such a huge theater community … also I had never seen a play in a separate language or by a foreign group. I got to see through this festival Balzimanov’s weddingA Russian drama, and I can’t wait to watch the drama from Sri Lanka. ,

BRM 2025 includes international theater groups participating from Russia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Nepal, Taiwan, Spain and Sri Lanka. In the Bengaluru version, the festival is characterized by eight plays from across the country besides the festival Sri Lanka and Russia.

In a release, Chittaranjan Tripathi, director of the National School of Drama, said, “The Bharat Rang Mahotsav has become a best theater festival on the global stage with its expansion attitude. It has not only served as a platform for theater performance around the world, but also offered opportunities for the amalgamation of various traditional performing art forms. Additionally, it has facilitated knowledge-sharing and ideas among individuals in dramatic art and other creative areas. “He said that he aims to make the scope of this festival more comprehensive, and expand it to other continents.

A full cycle

Talk to HinduMeena Mishra, Senior Theater Person and Coordinator, NSD, said that 25 -year -old Bharangam looks like a full cycle. “This festival has taken place every year since its inception, except for one year due to Kovid -19 epidemic. Many years ago, a play was directed by the current director of NSD, Chittaranjan Tripathi, which was named. Taj Mahal tenderWhich became quite popular, and is still going on. After 25 years this year, the same drama is being presented with a new set of actors on the festival. It seems complete now. He said that what is in this year’s festival is that 23 women directors are plays close to.

“The festival is being hosted in Bengaluru after about two decades. Shasidar Adapa, who is a well -known production designer from Bangalore, has replaced the entire look of Kalagram with decorations, sets and exhibitions that should not be remembered, ”Mishra said.

This festival is also focusing on educating young theater doctors. , Photo Credit: Sudhakar Jain

cultural heritage

Nagaraj Murthy, president of the Karnataka Nataka Academy, said that the festival is an honor for the academy, and the opportunity to show the rich cultural heritage of Bengaluru and Karnataka. “Every day we have managed to showcase the folk forms of Karnataka. Radha Nata, a form under Doddata, was recently shown. We also had Yakshagana and Krishna Parijata, which was another form of folk theater. We had artists who presented the company style theater form, “he said.

Murthy said that the festival is not only focusing on presenting presentations, but also making it more educational for young theater doctors, “Every day we are hosting poets from all over the state who come and our own The work is presented and Kavi discusses with the audience through Goshti. We also have Janapada artists for theater artists operating workshops for children and seminars by theater scholars. Book stalls by famous publishers, and exhibitions by 45 theater mandals in Karnataka and prominently from Bangalore who are demonstrating their work through these exhibitions. Every evening, we have voluntarily to present the theater mandals Ranagagete (Theater songs), which is a new experience for theater manufacturers coming from other states. We are also honoring teams that have been in the community for more than 50 years Samudaya, Spandana, Benaka, Kalagangotri and more and more, which many young artists will have to know. These teams have contributed a lot to the Kannada theater over the years. ,

One of the demonstrations of Bharat Rang Mahotsav. , Photo Credit: Sudhakar Jain

Murthy said that whatever is in this festival is that thousands of artists are participating, and many people are working day by day without demanding payment. “When we went to the Chief Minister with the idea of ​​a colorful parish or an exhibition, he was thrilled with the idea and immediately gave us an indication to move forward. While NSD is taking care of logistics and housing, the Kannada and Culture Department voluntarily offered to meet most of the expenses, which is close to one crore. Everything from equipment to print material is provided by the department. However, it is morality and commitment to the theater which is a troupe from across the state. Many artists are voluntarily contributing to the festival without any fee. Even 45 exhibitions kept by the mandals have been at their own expense, ”he explained.

From Bharat Rang Mahotsav. , Photo Credit: Sudhakar Jain

The theater for students

Veena Sharma, the center director of NSD, Bangalore, said that she has been a great exchange program for students. “Students from NSD Bangalore found a play in Russia to interact with school students. Both students presented their work to each other, and Russian students were thrilled to learn that the Indian theater is only beyond theatrical scripture. Our students had the opportunity to discuss the style of Russian theater and how they work prominently on body movements, ”she said.

Sharma said that apart from exchanges, all students in NSD Bengaluru are actively participating in the festival. “Students are performing Jasma OdenB. on 8 February. A drama directed by Jayashree, they come again through the first half of the day, and during the second half they are actively participating in events and also helping managing the festival, ”he said.

The program for the Bangalore version of the ongoing festival in the Mallthalli campus of NSD is available at https://brm.nsd.gov.in/bengaluru-Schedule/.