Hyd hosts grand opening of NSD's Bharat Rang Mahotsav with Telugu play “Sri Rama Rajyam”

The 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the world’s largest international theatre festival organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), opened in Hyderabad with the Telugu play "Sri Rama Rajyam", drawing an enthusiastic audience response.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Enugu Narsimha Reddy, Director, Language and Culture, Government of Telangana, along with Alekhya Punjala, Chairman, Sangeeta Nataka Academy, Telangana, and senior theatre personalities including Prof. Kotla Hanumantha Rao, Prof. D. S. N. Murthy and Prof. N. J. Bhikshu.

NSD Director Chittaranjan Tripathy said, "Hyderabad is a place of remarkable cultural diversity and a strong theatrical tradition. I have a special attachment to this city, as it nurtured me in my early years in theatre. Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 brings together diverse theatrical practices from different sections of society, with a vision of enabling a true confluence of cultures. Hyderabad holds a special place in actualising this vision."

The festival line-up includes acclaimed productions such as "Ek Khoon Sau Baatein 2" by the University of Hyderabad and the Kannada play "Andhayuga" by Natana Mysore. The Hyderabad leg will conclude with the Hindi play "Hamidabai Ki Kothi".

Spanning 25 days from January 27 to February 20, BRM 2026 features over 277 productions across 228 Indian and international languages. Theatre groups from all Indian states and Union territories are participating, along with international productions from nine countries.

Celebrating India’s vast theatrical diversity, BRM 2026 includes performances by children’s groups, tribal communities, and artists from marginalised sections, reaffirming NSD’s commitment to inclusivity and the democratisation of theatre. In line with this vision, NSD has recently launched Rang Akash, an internet radio platform dedicated to theatre, and Natyam, its OTT platform offering access to select landmark productions for theatre lovers across the country.