Srinagar: National theatre returned to Kashmir after three decades with popular plays such as Girish Karnad’s Naagmandal being performed as part of a three-day festival here.
The 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav, which started on Thursday in Srinagar, has come as an opportunity for theatre groups in the valley to learn and grow, local artists feel.
“This theatre festival has been organised by the National School of Drama, New Delhi. This year, it has decided to organise it all over India in different cities and now, it is being organised in 10 cities. We are fortunate that this year, Srinagar was also chosen as a venue for the festival,” said Bhawani Bashir Yasir, who has acted in Bollywood films ‘Haider’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, said.
Yasir, a prominent writer and theatre artist, said theatre in Kashmir has faced a big setback in the last 30 years as no national festival was held in the Kashmir Valley.
Professor Shantanu Bose of the National School of Drama said this is the first major initiative by the institute after the Covid pandemic.
Abdul Latif Khatana, a theatre expert and former professor, said organising these plays in Kashmir will bring life to the theatre culture in the Valley.
