Sri Vijaya Puram, July 13: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands will join a nationwide cultural initiative on July 15 as students from two government schools stage theatrical productions under the Mahakavi Kalidasa National Theatre Festival 2026, an event being organised to commemorate 150 years of the Rashtra Geet ‘Vande Mataram’ and celebrate Mahakavi Kalidasa Jayanti.
The performances will be held simultaneously at two venues in Sri Vijaya Puram from 6 pm as part of the national programme organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The festival is being conducted under the theme “Bharat Speaks Through Theatre | युवा रंगमंच से राष्ट्र जागरण” (Youth Theatre for National Awakening), with the objective of encouraging young students to present stories rooted in India’s history and cultural heritage through theatre.
According to the schedule, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sri Vijaya Puram, will present the 20-minute play Kalapani – Cellular Jail ki Pukar. The production has been directed by Naba Kumar Dhar and will be staged at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School Auditorium in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The second performance, Netaji – Azadi ka Jwalamukhi, will be presented by Government Secondary School, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Directed by Arup Kumar Roy, the play will be staged at the Government Model Senior Secondary School Auditorium in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The theatre festival forms part of a larger national celebration being organised across the country by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to commemorate two significant cultural occasions. The programme aims to engage youth through theatre while promoting awareness of India’s historical legacy and artistic traditions.
Both productions have been scheduled for 20 minutes and will be performed by students representing their respective schools. The performances are expected to showcase themes connected with India’s freedom movement and national heritage through stage presentations.
The organisers have invited members of the public to attend the performances and witness the productions by the young student artistes of the Islands. The event is open to all and forms part of the nationwide observance being held under the Mahakavi Kalidasa National Theatre Festival 2026.
