New Delhi: The National School of Drama (NSD) will organise the 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, the world’s largest international theatre festival, from January 27 to February 20, 2026, marking its most expansive and inclusive edition since inception.
Celebrating 25 years of theatrical excellence, BRM 2026 will be staged across 40 locations in India, along with at least one participating country from each of the seven continents, significantly enhancing the festival’s global footprint.
The festival will showcase 277 Indian productions, including selected and invited plays, alongside 12 international productions, performed in an extraordinary 228 Indian and foreign languages and dialects, making it the world’s largest theatre festival in terms of linguistic diversity. The productions were selected after a rigorous screening of 817 national and 34 international applications, with additional participation from 19 university productions and 14 local productions.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairman, NSD, described BRM 2026 as a reflection of the democratisation and universalisation of theatre, highlighting its inclusive spirit and cultural diversity. Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD, termed the festival a “Mahakumbh of theatre,” emphasising its commitment to reaching remote regions and providing a platform for underrepresented voices and languages.
This edition introduces performances in languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tulu, Urdu, Sanskrit, Tai Khamti and Nyishi, along with several tribal and endangered languages. New festival centres include Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Aizawl, Tura, Nagaon, Mandi and Rohtak, further expanding the festival’s reach.
BRM 2026 will also feature a rich line-up of curated segments, including Adirang Mahotsav, Jashne Bachpan, Bal Sangam, Poorvottar Natya Samaroh, Puppet Theatre Festival, Classical Sanskrit Drama Festival, Dance Drama Festival, and Micro Drama Festival. For the first time, productions by transgender communities, sex workers, senior citizens and other underrepresented groups will be showcased.
Special performances will pay tribute to freedom fighters, social reformers and legendary theatre personalities, including Birsa Munda, Lok Mata Ahilya Bai, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and theatre stalwarts such as Ratan Thiyam, Daya Prakash Sinha, Bansi Kaul and Alok Chatterjee. A seminar honouring Ebrahim Alkazi will be held at the NSD Delhi campus.
Key highlights include the Theatre Bazaar to promote new playwrights, launch of 17 books under the ‘Shruti’ initiative, and 33 productions directed by women. Folk arts, street theatre, workshops, seminars, master classes, culinary showcases and handicraft exhibitions will further enrich the cultural experience.
The grand festival is supported by collaborations with leading national and international cultural institutions from India, Poland, Spain and Russia, along with various State governments and cultural bodies.
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