Shillong, Feb 22: The National School of Drama (NSD), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, successfully organised the Meghalaya Chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, the world’s largest international theatre festival, at the District Library Auditorium, Tura recently.
The programme was graced by Shri Bernard N. Marak, Member, District Council, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Tura, West Garo Hills, as Chief Guest, and Prof. Sujata Gurudev, Pro Vice Chancellor, North-Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, as Guest of Honour.
In his message for the theatre lovers of Meghalaya, Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD, said, “The beautiful state of Meghalaya has produced many theatrical talents and this is a great place for nurturing art and culture. The theme of the 5th Bharat Rang Mahotsav(BRM) 2026 is ‘Samvad Sanskritiyon Ka’ which is nothing but fostering dialogues among various cultures”. He further added, “In our way towards achieving this, we have introduced many underrepresented languages and dialects this time and have tried to make theater as inclusive as possible. Tura edition of the festival is a beautiful addition to that effort”.
The Tura edition featured two plays on February 17. The first production was KU’BILBAT MUNI (Nightmare of Using Mobile Phone of Children), a devised play in Garo language written and directed by Balsrame A. Sangma, presented by A-Chik Theatre Tura, Meghalaya. The play addressed the contemporary issue of excessive mobile phone usage among children through an engaging and socially relevant narrative.
The second production, THE WISE CREATURE, was a multilingual play written and directed by Shri Jyoti Narayan Nath and presented by Anubhav – The Actors Guild, Guwahati, Assam. The play offered a compelling theatrical experience, blending multiple languages and perspectives, and showcasing the richness of regional theatre traditions.
Shri Jyoti Narayan Nath delivered the keynote address on behalf of NSD, and Shri Jameswarth Ch. Sangma, President, A-Chik Theatre, Tura, proposed the vote of thanks. The Tura Chapter concluded on a high note, providing an enriching cultural experience to audiences in Meghalaya and bringing together performers and theatre enthusiasts in a vibrant celebration of storytelling and stagecraft.
The 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 is being organised from January 27 to February 20 2026, spanning 25 days and featuring over 277 productions across 228 Indian and international languages, including several underrepresented tongues. The festival includes participation from nine countries, along with theatre groups from every State and Union Territory of India.
Celebrating India’s theatrical diversity, BRM 2026 features performances by children’s groups, tribal communities, and artists from marginalised sections, reaffirming NSD’s commitment to inclusivity and the universalisation of theatre.
