The National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Directorate of Art & Culture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, will organise a three-day theatre festival in Sri Vijaya Puram as part of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav – International Theatre Festival of India. The event will be held at the Dr. B R Ambedkar Auditorium, SVPMC, from February 13 to 15, 2026, bringing nationally acclaimed theatrical productions to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The festival will feature three Hindi plays performed by the NSD Repertory Company, showcasing a range of themes and styles drawn from contemporary and literary Indian theatre. All performances will begin at 6 pm, and entry will be free on all three days, according to the organisers.
The opening performance on February 13 will be Tajmahal Ka Tender, written by Ajay Shukla and directed by Chittaranjan Tripathy. The play is known for its satirical treatment of bureaucracy and governance, and has been staged widely across the country.
On February 14, audiences will witness Mai Ri Main Ka Se Kahun, written by Vijaydan Detha and directed by Ajay Kumar. The play draws from Indian folk and literary traditions and is recognised for its emotional depth and narrative style.
The festival will conclude on February 15 with the staging of Babuji, written by Mithileshwar, adapted by Vibhanshu Vaibhav and directed by Rajesh Singh. The production explores social realities through a character-driven narrative and has been part of NSD’s repertory circuit.
Officials said the collaboration reflects a continued effort to strengthen cultural outreach in geographically remote regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By hosting productions from a nationally reputed institution, the organisers aim to provide local audiences access to high-quality theatre and promote cultural exchange.
The National School of Drama is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and is regarded as one of the world’s leading centres for theatre training and performance. NSD organises Bharat Rang Mahotsav annually, which is recognised as India’s largest theatre festival and features productions from across the country and abroad.
The Directorate of Art & Culture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, stated that the department remains committed to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the islands through regular initiatives, including collaborations with national institutions, arts festivals and community-based programmes.
Members of the general public have been encouraged to attend the performances and engage with the productions staged by the NSD Repertory Company. Organisers said the free-entry format is intended to ensure wider participation and to foster greater appreciation of theatre among diverse sections of society in the islands.
The three-day festival is expected to draw theatre enthusiasts, students and cultural practitioners, marking one of the major cultural events in Sri Vijaya Puram in 2026.
