The much-anticipated three-day Theatre Festival commenced on 13 February at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium, SVPMC, opening with the Hindi satirical play ‘Taj Mahal Ka Tender,’ leaving the audience in fits of laughter. Organised by the Directorate of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, the festival is part of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav – India’s premier international theatre festival. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, inaugurated the festival as the chief guest.
The festival brings world-class theatrical performances to the islands, aiming to engage the local community, particularly youth, in cultural activities. Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Administration, Chanchal Yadav, IAS, also attended the opening, highlighting the administration’s support for the arts. In his address, the Chief Secretary praised NSD’s contribution to the festival, noting the energy, skill, and lasting impact of the performances. He urged Education and Art & Culture departments to involve students and children extensively in such events.
The Chief Secretary also announced a forthcoming 10-day Book Fair at ITF Ground from February 14 to 22, encouraging residents to participate. The festival’s collaboration with NSD underlines the commitment of both organizations to promoting cultural exchange and artistic excellence in remote regions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Prof. Dinesh Khanna, ex-Director of NSD and society member, expressed his satisfaction over the festival’s conduct in the islands, emphasizing its historical connection with the freedom movement and its potential to foster theatre culture locally. Secretary of Art & Culture, Jyoti Kumari, IAS, welcomed the chief guest and attendees, urging the public to witness the plays, which are free of cost, staged on February 14 and 15 at 6 PM.
The opening play, ‘Taj Mahal Ka Tender,’ written by Ajay Shukla, humorously reimagines Emperor Shah Jahan’s dream of constructing the Taj Mahal as an endless bureaucratic tender process. NSD Repertory Company chief RK Singh provided insights into the play before the performance. The audience responded enthusiastically, applauding the sharp dialogues, comic timing, and high-energy performances that kept them engaged throughout the evening.
The festival will continue for the next two days, featuring plays in Hindi by the NSD Repertory Company from New Delhi. On February 14, 2026, ‘Mai Ri Main Ka Se Kahun,’ written by Vijaydan Detha and directed by Ajay Kumar, will be staged at 6 PM. These performances showcase the diversity and richness of Indian theatre, reflecting NSD’s stature as one of the world’s foremost theatre training institutions under the Ministry of Culture.
Through this festival, the A&N Administration and NSD aim to nurture cultural engagement, promote theatre among youth, and provide an opportunity for residents to experience professional-level theatre performances. The three-day event enhances the islands’ performing arts calendar while fostering artistic appreciation and learning among students and theatre enthusiasts.
