Jaipur Set to Witness a Grand Celebration of Theatre at the 8th Rajrangam Drama Festival

Ananya soch: The 8th Rajrangam Natya Samaroh, approved by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will be organized on May 14 and 15, 2026, at Jawahar Kala Kendra in collaboration with leading theatre groups and cultural institutions. Since 2013, the festival has been promoting Rajasthan’s theatrical and academic environment by providing a vibrant platform for artists, scholars, and theatre enthusiasts from across the country.

Festival organizer Dr. Chandradeep Hada said that the concept of Rajrangam emerged from his extensive work in Rajasthan’s theatre, art, and cultural heritage sectors. He shared that his experience as the lead actor in Doordarshan Rajasthan’s travel series “Desert Calling” and his award-winning research work in theatre and fine arts inspired the creation of this national theatre festival. He added that this year’s edition proudly introduces folk theatre and street plays as part of its innovative programming.

Comedy, Satire and Folk Theatre to Take Centre Stage

The festival will feature a rich lineup of performances. On May 14 at 7 PM, the comedy play “Flirt,” directed by SNA Awardee Gagan Mishra, will be staged at Rangayan Auditorium. Based on Padma Shri Narendra Kohli’s story “Malini,” the play explores the subtle expressions of love and human emotions with humour and sensitivity.

On May 15 at 7 PM, theatre lovers will witness the satirical comedy “Tartuffe,” directed by National School of Drama graduate Chinmay Das. Originally written by Molière, the play sharply critiques religious hypocrisy and blind faith through an engaging theatrical narrative.

Seminar, Exhibition and Street Theatre to Enrich the Festival

The festival will also showcase Jaipur’s traditional folk theatre style “Tamasha Gopichand Bhartrihari” on May 15 at 10 AM in Krishnayan Auditorium under the direction of folk artist Dilip Bhatt. A seminar titled “Ek Rangkarmi Se Varta” will follow at 11:30 AM, where theatre scholar Dr. Chandradeep Hada will discuss theatre education, challenges, and artistic growth with NSD graduate Chinmay Das.

Adding further depth to the celebration, a special exhibition based on theatre directors will be displayed during the event. A 21-day acting workshop held prior to the festival has also prepared artists for the environmental awareness street play “Vanikaran,” which will be staged at Hingonia Gaushala and Krishnayan Auditorium.

Organizers described the festival as a major initiative toward preserving theatre traditions while encouraging contemporary experimentation and youth participation in performing arts.