BRM 2025
Bharat Rang Mahotsav ‘25 in Colombo
in collaboration with
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
High Commission of India, Colombo
Date: 6th to 9th Feb 2025 |
Location: Tower Hall Theatre / Panibharatha Theatre UVPA Colombo
Show Time: 6.30 pm
Introduction
Welcome to the Bharat Rang Mahotsav ‘24 Parallel Festival in Colombo, where the magic of live theatre comes to life! Join us for four days of captivating performances, thought-provoking plays, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or a first-timer, there’s something for everyone at this incredible event.
About the Festival
Bharat Rang Mahotsav is an annual theatre festival organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi India. This year NSD celebrates its 24th consecutive years of theatre making, theatre education and communal sprit of performance practice. In order to mark this juncture, NSD has invited UVPA Colombo to organize its parallel festival in Colombo. This theatre festival brings two NSD repertory theatre productions and two Sri Lankan plays together with artists, performers, and audiences from both countries. Our mission is to create a platform that celebrates diverse voices, innovative storytelling, and the power of live performance.
Festival Highlights
Featured Performances
Taj Mahal Ka Tendar
Directed by Chittaranjan Tripathy [National School of Drama, Repertory company] – [6th Feb 2025 / 6.30 pm at Tower Hall Theatre]
The play Taj Mahal Ka Tendar is one of the successful satires of contemporary times. This is a poem of love, in which the story of Laila Majnu is being told again in the style of a traditional poetry and drama, in which two couples growing up in the atmosphere of the nomadic Bedu community of the Middle East in the early years of the 7th century. Much of the life of the young residents is revealed. Emperor Shah Jahan invites the chief engineer of CPWD, Guptaji and shares hi dream of building a monument in the memory of his late wife, Mumtaz. After much deliberation, he comes to the conclusion that a mausoleum be built in her memory and he wants it to be named Taj Mahal. Guptaji, a shrewd, corrupt, official, entraps the Emperor in the snares of bureaucracy and red tapism leading to many hilarious situations. The ridiculous bureaucratic procedures takes 25 year only to float the tender notice of Taj Mahal.
Babuji
Directed by Rajesh Sign [National School of Drama, Repertory Company] – [7th Feb 2025, 6.30 pm at Tower Hall Theatre]
Babuji drama represents one of the ways in our society that wants to live life with its freedom and conditions. Hero of the drama Babuji is a man who wants to keep his inner artist alive along with social responsibilities in his life His fondness in folk dance like nautanki, but his love for this gimmick also destroys his family life. The wife, son, his won companions and people of the society do not support him. He is pushed out of his own house. Despite all this, his dedication and love for art does not diminish. The echo of Tabla and the harmonium stays with him till his last breath. Each character of the drama represents the different persons and sectarian thoughts of our society. In our society, an artist still has to undergo a lot of struggle in his life.
Babuji play is a tribute to our one of the most inspirational and most renowned Indian theatre personality late Sri B. V. Karanth.
Romeo and Juliet
Group Name: V4 Theatre, Sri Lanka
Directed by Jayanath Bandara – [8th Feb 2025, 6.30 pm at Panibharatha Theatre, UVPA Colombo]
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately end their families’ bitter feud. In Verona, Italy, Romeo Montague meets Juliet Capulet at a masquerade ball and falls instantly in love, despite their families’ enmity. They secretly marry the next day with the help of Friar Laurence, who hopes their union will mend the rift. However, their happiness is shattered when Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio. Enraged, Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. Juliet, desperate to avoid an arranged marriage to Paris, takes a potion to appear dead. When Romeo hears of her “death,” he returns, kills Paris, and takes poison beside her. Juliet awakens, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself with his dagger. The tragedy reconciles the warring families, who mourn the loss of their beloved children.
Sindu Kirilli 2 (Veronica Returns)
Group Name: Red Wing Theatre Group Sri Lanka
Directed by Buddhika Damayantha [9th Feb 2025, 6.30 pm at Panibharatha Theatre UVPA Colombo]
Years ago, Veronica Jonkers departed for the big city in the brave New South Africa, set on making her dreams of fame and fortune come true. In COMING HOME, Veronica returns to Home Town several years later to die of AIDS, but she is determined to first secure a future for her child, bright word-loving little Mannetjie. After a rocky beginning, Veronica’s childhood playmate and school friend Steve agrees to marry Veronica and take care of Mannetjie, but Mannetjie resents Steve’s intrusion into the close relationship he has with his mother.
The ghost of old Buks Jonkers, Veronica’s beloved grandfather, appears to Veronica and to Mannetjie, teaching them how to appreciate the miracle of life, how it is part of God’s Plan and that one has to take the good with the bad and learn to survive. With his elders’ guidance, Mannetjie will, in turn, learn that the harsh realities of life can be softened by hope and redemption.
Ticket Information
Get Your Tickets Now!
Don’t miss out on the most anticipated theatre event of the year! Tickets are available for individual shows or as festival passes.
Single Performance Tickets: From Rs.1000 , Rs. 500 , Rs.300
Festival Pass: – Access all performances and exclusive events
Please get in touch with
MADARA +94 76 634 1927
or
TANIA +94 71 174 3611
Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the performance.
Festival Team
Mr. Chittaranjan Tripathy (Director, National School of Drama)
Prof. Ankuran Datta, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo
Mr. Suman Vaidya, Festival Controller, NSD
Mr. Rajesh Sing, Repertory Chief, National School of Drama
Prof. Saumya Liyanage, BRM in Colombo coordinator
Mr. Sachithra Rahubadda, Playwright and Director, NSD, Representative in Colombo
Mr. Ranga Manupriya, Lecturer, Dept. of Theatre Ballet and Modern Dance, UVPA Colombo
Mr. Niransha Akalanka, Lighting and set designer, Faculty of Dance and Drama
Mr. Ajith Rohana, senior lecturer, Faculty of Dance and Drama,
Sponsors & Partners
This festival wouldn’t be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors and partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to
Swami Vivekanda Cultural Centre Colombo
National School of Drama, New Delhi, India
Tower Hall Foundation
Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Sri Lankan Rupavahini Corporation
VAPA TV University of Visual and Performing Arts Colombo
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us
Festival Map & Venue Information
FAQs
Find answers to your questions about the festival, ticketing, parking, and more.
Can I buy tickets when I come to the theatre on the performance day?
Yes, there will be a box place at the theatre. Our volunteers will help you to buy tickets and find your seat.
Is parking available at the performance venues?
Yes, you can park your vehicle in front of the Tower Hall Theatre. There are parking slots available. But please come in early to secure a spot.
Can I bring children to the performances?
No. These plays are for mature audience
Where can I find a café in the performance venues?
At Tower Hall Theatre, there is a café inside. You can buy refreshments, tea and water there.
At Panibharatha Theatre, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, the cafeteria is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building titled Pandith Amaradeva near the Faculty of Music.
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