‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ ENDS WITH NEW HOPE
The 19th edition of National School of Drama’s annual theatre festival ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ came to an end on Monday with the incredible performance by Calcutta Choir under the direction of Kalyan Sen Barat preceded by the valedictory ceremony. The International drama festival featured 94 theatre performances by renowned theatre groups from different parts of the world for straight 21 days, commencing from February 1. The concluding ceremony was held at the Kamani auditorium of the national Capital, in the presence of eminent theatre and film actor Vikram Gokhle as the Chief Guest and Pranav Khullar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture as the Guest of Honor. The program was presided by the chairman of NSD, Mr Ratan Thiyam and was addressed by the director of NSD Prof Waman Kendre.
“Bharat Rang Mahotsav has already entered into the league of the biggest theatre festivals. We intend to host theatre Olympics next year and we have got the permission from International Theatre Committee, the Ministry of Culture is also helping us to materialize the project,” said Prof Kendre. Highlighting the success of this year’s BRM, he added, “We have reduced the age group of our audience from 50 to 25. The allied events were more than houseful and over 75000 people visited our campus to experience theatre, decoration and food bazaar.”
The festival attracted people mainly for the plays and other theatre activities like living legend series, master classes, interface, youth forum and many more. Other than that, it came up with innovative things like its theatre bazaar. Spread over a good area, the colourful theatre bazaar had 51 different stalls lined up, catering to all the needs of theatre lovers. This was the first year that plays in four languages – Tiwa, Maithili, Bhojpuri and Bagheli was staged at ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’.
Apart from regular Indian and Foreign productions, tributary plays to Kavalam Narayan Pannikar, Heisnam Kanhailal and Prem Matiyani , folk performances like Mannbhat Akhiyan, Mughal Tamasha, Taal Maddale, Nacha, Hol, Ramlila, ambience performances like Pung dance,haryanvi faag, Laavni, Bihu and also 7 plays by living theatre luminaries from across India like Ratan Thiyam, Sonal Mansingh, Bibhash Chakravati, Dr Arjun Deo Charan were included. This is the first time in the history of ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ that 34 plays and all allied programs were webcasted live.
Pranav Khullar termed this year’s ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ as another feather in the cap of NSD and said, “Ministry of Culture is extremely proud of all its achievements and accomplishments. We totally support the International Theatre Olympics program of NSD and I hope that within a couple of months we will complete the process.”
Theatre is the collaboration of all forms of art. Even Manoj Bajpayee and Vikram Gokhle did not deny the fact that theatre cannot promise any economic stability, it is surviving only due to passion. “One should not go into theatre for money and fame but should understand that both these things are not more important than being a better person, which is what exactly theatre makes you,” said Vikram Gokhle. He also added, “Acting is an art of creating illusion which comes naturally to all the living species, and I strongly feel that theatre is the only medium from which this gift of nature can be best explored but unfortunately it is really sad that I had to leave theatre because of my old age.”
Prof Waman Kendre said, “NSD brings together all the theatre people of India and abroad through ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav.’ I believe it is one of the best platforms we have to present all the elements which are native to Indian Theatre. With such exchange of knowledge and culture, NSD aims to be the ultimate platform of theatrical and cultural exchanges in theatre not only in India but among other countries as well, where theatre is still alive.”