VINOD BHAT
New Delhi, July 15: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, through the Sangeet Natak Akademi, has unveiled an ambitious concept for a nationwide National Theatre Festival that will commemorate Mahakavi Kalidasa Jayanti while celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the National Song of India. Envisioned as one of the largest coordinated theatre movements in the country, the festival aims to unite thousands of artists, hundreds of cultural institutions and millions of audiences under the theme, “Vande Mataram – The Spirit of Patriotism through Indian Theatre.”
The concept has been conceptualized by Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and seeks to showcase India’s extraordinary theatrical heritage while reinforcing the national vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047.
According to the concept note, India’s theatre tradition traces its origins to the ancient Natyashastra and has evolved over centuries through classical, folk, traditional and contemporary performance forms. The festival also pays tribute to Mahakavi Kalidasa, widely regarded as the greatest Sanskrit dramatist and poet, whose literary works continue to inspire theatre practitioners across the globe.
The initiative also coincides with the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a song that played a defining role during India’s freedom movement by inspiring generations of freedom fighters and symbolizing patriotism, national unity and cultural identity.
The Ministry envisions the festival as the country’s largest coordinated theatrical celebration, bringing together artists, institutions and audiences from every corner of India in a collective tribute to the nation’s cultural heritage and dramatic traditions.
A key highlight of the festival will be the staging of more than 150 theatre productions across all States and Union Territories. Every production will creatively interpret the central theme of patriotism through regional languages, local artistic traditions and unique cultural identities while preserving the common message of national unity.
The productions are expected to be presented in over 39 Indian languages and dialects, reflecting the country’s linguistic diversity and emphasizing the role of theatre as a medium of cultural integration.
The festival will feature a wide spectrum of theatrical forms, including classical theatre, folk theatre, traditional theatre, modern theatre, puppet theatre, mime, musical theatre, street plays, school productions and youth theatre. It will also encourage participation by Divyang artists, transgender performers and community theatre groups, making inclusivity one of the defining features of the national event.
Institutional participation is expected from more than 150 organizations, including the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), State Akademies, State Culture Departments, Zonal Cultural Centres, universities, drama schools, theatre repertories, registered theatre groups, cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations engaged in the performing arts.
More than 4,000 theatre artists are expected to participate in performances across the country, making it one of the largest gatherings of theatre practitioners under a single national cultural initiative.
Beyond live audiences attending performances at multiple venues, the Ministry also plans extensive digital outreach through live streaming and social media platforms, with an estimated viewership exceeding 20 lakh people across India and abroad.
To maintain a sense of national uniformity, every venue is proposed to follow a common ceremonial format. The programme will begin with an invocation of Vande Mataram, followed by the National Song and National Anthem. The schedule will also include welcome addresses by local organizing institutions, messages from the Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, presentation of the theatre production, felicitation of distinguished guests and artists, and conclude with the National Anthem.
The implementation strategy envisages collaboration among the Ministry of Culture, Sangeet Natak Akademi, CCRT, State Governments, State Akademies, Zonal Cultural Centres, universities, educational institutions, theatre repertories, registered cultural organizations and local administrative bodies.
School theatre groups will play an important role in the initiative through coordination by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, enabling participation of students from diverse regions of the country. The programme is designed to complement the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, while strengthening the ideals of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat through cultural exchange among young learners.
The Ministry expects the festival to emerge as the largest coordinated national theatre festival dedicated to patriotism, while reviving and promoting India’s diverse theatrical traditions. It is also expected to increase youth participation in performing arts, strengthen cultural unity through multilingual theatrical presentations, enhance the national and international visibility of Indian theatre, and promote India’s civilizational values through artistic expression.
Describing the initiative as a landmark cultural movement, the concept note states that the festival will celebrate India’s theatrical heritage while honouring the enduring legacy of Vande Mataram. By bringing together thousands of artists, hundreds of institutions and millions of viewers, it aims to demonstrate the unifying power of theatre and reaffirm India’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich cultural traditions.
The initiative is also expected to contribute significantly to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, positioning culture as a powerful instrument for social cohesion, creative expression and nation-building.
