University of Jammu in collaboration with National School of Drama is organizing the 22^nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav

JAMMU, February 19- National School of Drama’s prestigious International Theatre Festival Bharat Rang Mahotsav is being organized in Jammu in collaboration with the University of Jammu from 20^th to 22^nd February, 2023 daily at 6 pm at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.

This has been informed at a Press Conference conducted at Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu. Sh. Mushtaq Kak (Festival Incharge), Dr. Garima Gupta (Assistant Dean Students Welfare), Sh. Preetpal  Rupana (Technical Director of the Festival) addressed the media.  The festival is being monitored by Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Director National School of Drama. Dr. Suman Vaidya (Festival Director) Dr. Santanu Bose (Centre Incharge, J&K). The festival is being inaugurated by Sh. Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, JKUT and Chancellor University of Jammu on 20th February, 2023. 

At the conference, it was briefed that the National School of Drama is one of the best Theatre institutes in the world, and the only one of its kind in India and Asia, which has played a major role in Theatre training as well as in the Indian Theatre movement. An important part of this Theatre movement is ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’, which is today considered as one of the biggest Theatre festivals in the world, in which there is a holistic confluence of Indian as well as global Theatre cultures.

Bharat Rang Mahotsav was organized regularly from 1999 to 2020, but due to the Corona epidemic in 2020, it could not be duly organized in 2021 and 2022. Now, after a gap of almost 2 years, in the comfortable environment of the country, which has almost recovered from the pandemic, the 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav will be organized from 14 to 26 February 2023 in a total of 10 major cities including Delhi- in Delhi, Jaipur, Rajahmundry, Ranchi, Guwahati, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhopal, Nashik and Kevadia, in which a total of 80 plays are being performed. The ceremony, to be organized during the period of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ From August 2021 to August 2023, will certainly provide an opportunity for the audience to acquaint themselves with the glorious cultural-social-folk history of India.

In view of this, the grandeur of the festival has been conceptualized, that it will keep the Indian spirit alive in the hearts of the audience for a long time. The plays being featured in this festival are, WATH (Kashmiri) written and directed by Reshi Rashid from Azad Dramatic Culture Club, Gandebal Kashmir on 20th Feb. 2023. SILENCE (Non-Verbal) written and directed by Soma Giri from Baguiati Nrityamandir, Kolkata, West Bengal on 21st Feb. 2023 and SATYABHAN SAVITRI (NAUTANKI-Hindi) directed by Umesh Chandra Sharma from Shri Shri Narhari Sewa Sansthan, Mathura (U.P)on 22nd Feb. 2023.

Sh. Mushtaq Kak informed that Bharat Rang Mahotsav has become an international event today, and is probably the biggest Theatre festival in the world, in which more than 100 theater groups from all over the world participate every year. Along with the theatrical performances, the parallel exhibitions, director-audience dialogues, discussion and seminar activities on various Theatre related topics, make it a special fair of Theatre. It is a matter of pride for every Indian that this year our country is presiding over the G-20, a global seminar is also on cards to celebrate this glorious occasion.

Dr. Garima Gupta stated that under the encouraging leadership of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, whenever there is an opportunity to provide exposure to the stakeholders of the University, there is no hesitation in saying yes to that opportunity and this very festival exemplifies the same. Alongwith the students, scholars and University fraternity, she invited the civil society of Jammu to witness the spectacular theatre performances.

The events of DSW are conceived, planned and organised by the team consisting of Prof. Prakash Antahal (Dean Students Welfare), Prof. Vishav Raksha (Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee), Prof. Sanjana Kaul (Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee), Dr. Anil Gupta (Associate Dean SW), Dr. Garima Gupta and Dr. Pritam Singh (Assistant Deans, SW), Dr. A.R. Manhas & Dr. Shallu Sharma (Deputy Proctors), members of Campus Cultural Committee, Ms. Mansi Mantoo (Media Officer), Sumeet Sharma (Drama Instructor) and Ifra Kak (Cultural Officer). Ravinder Sharma, Aditya Bharti, Suraj Ganjoo, Ajay Sharma, Sunil, R.P. Singh, Arif Paul, Vishal Sharma, and Aadesh Dhar will be looking after the backstage management of the festival.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)