Jalandhar, Feb 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A wave of theatrical celebration swept through Lovely Professional University (LPU) as it hosted the Jalandhar chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, the world’s largest international theatre festival by National School of Drama (NSD).
Across three unforgettable days, the campus became a hub of live storytelling, folk traditions, and dramatic brilliance. The event offered students and audiences an immersive experience of India’s diverse stage traditions.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, Col. Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of LPU, and Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor of LPU, Dr. Sorabh Lakahanpal, Executive Dean of LPU, along with Rajinder Singh, Technical Co-Ordinator of NSD.
The festival was organised in alignment with the artistic vision of the National School of Drama under the leadership of Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director, NSD.
The festival commenced with the play Lamho Ki Mulaqat, inspired by the celebrated works of legendary Hindi Urdu writer Shri Kishan Chander and directed by renowned theatre artist Shri Mushtaq Kak.
The emotionally stirring performance set a powerful tone for the days ahead, drawing audiences into a theatrical experience marked by depth, sensitivity, and artistic brilliance. The second day featured Arthur Miller’s celebrated play The Price, directed by Shri Shuddho Banerjee and presented by the Saanjh Baati Foundation, Delhi.
Through intense dialogue and emotional depth, the play explored themes of morality, relationships, ambition, and the erosion of values under capitalism, leaving the audience reflective and deeply moved.
The festival concluded with Paanchano Vesh, a compelling production enriched by Gujarat’s vibrant folk theatre form Bhavai, presented by the Ahmedabad Theatre Group under the direction of Shri Raju Barot. The performance stood out for its musical richness, contemporary relevance, and powerful portrayal of resistance, justice, and the voice of the marginalised.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal reflected on the enduring power of theatre as a mirror to society and a medium of deep human connection. Dr. Mittal noted that such performances carry messages far beyond entertainment, thought provoking, inspiring dialogue, and awakening sensitivity to social realities. Art has the rare ability to educate through emotion, challenge perspectives, and shape both intellect and character.
Dr. Mittal further added that LPU would continue to remain an active part of such revolutionary cultural movements, serving as a pivot where students gain exposure to revolutionary artistic experiences that broaden their worldview and enrich their learning beyond the classroom.
For LPU students, the festival proved to be nothing short of surreal. Many witnessed professional theatre of this magnitude for the first time, and members of LPU’s theatre society had the rare opportunity to learn closely from some of the finest artists in the country, right on their own campus.
The presence of NSD’s celebrated productions created an inspiring atmosphere of mentorship, artistic exchange, and cultural awakening.
The Bharat Rang Mahotsav, often described as the “Mahakumbh of Theatre,” continues to embody NSD’s vision of democratising theatre through inclusive participation across languages, genres, communities, and age groups. With BRM 2026 spanning 25 days and showcasing over 277 productions across India and abroad, its arrival at LPU marked a significant milestone for Punjab’s cultural landscape.
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