94 plays, 12 countries at Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2017

Theatre lovers in the capital are in for a feast with the 19th edition of National School of Drama's Bharat Rang Mahotsav offering a bouquet of 94 performances in the course of two weeks.
The annual theatre extravaganza, slated to run through from February 1 to 21, will see 14 foreign productions and 12 participating countries.
The festival this year will center around the theme 'Whose Theatre is it Anyway', and is a part of World Theatre Forum and Allied Programmes, said NSD Director Waman Kendre.
"A live webcast of the Allied Programmes will be available," he added.
A seminar titled 'Actor at vanishing point', will see eminent as well as emerging personalities from the field of drama from around the world participate.

"Who does the theatre belong to? will be the focus of the festival, and will be discussed in the presence of eminent directors from India and around the world," said NSD professor Tripurari Sharma.

The audience will be able to feast their eyes on performances from England, Russia, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Romania, Malasiya, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, along with performances from folk artists from around India.
The event will also hold its 'Parallel Festival', which will travel to five cities of Kurukshetra, Agartala, Patna, Pune and Hyderabad, in an attempt to bring artists, directors and viewers from these parts closer to the process of the theatre, said Kendre.

"The number of parallel performances held in different cities has increased year-by-year as we have to reach scholars, students, directors and theatre-goers from all over the country," he said.
This year's theatre carnival will include three tributary plays in memory of Kavalam Narayan Pannikar, Heisnam Kanhailal and Prem Matiyani.
"The festival has introduced 'Katha Series' where people can interact with the artists while at 'Director's Meet' will help fans meet directors of plays put on the previous day," said Sharma.
"The festival will include ten traditional folk theatre performances from across the country making it the ultimate platform of interaction and education of theatre."

Workshops on Patachitra, Kaawad and Gond paintings and 'Theatre Bazaar' with around 50 kiosks displaying books related to theatre, props used in drama and traditional handicrafts and food court are also a part of the event, said Bharadwaj.
This Baazar will also witness ambience performances including Naad Swaram, Pung dance, Bamboo dance, Manipuri Martial arts, Chau dance and more.
Theatre lovers will be able to book tickets online on the website as well as from other counters from January 30 onwards.
"This year's showcase of classical, Indian narratives, folk performances along with modern plays will show the depth and width of Indian theatre. Bharat Rang Mahotsav is not only about all modern theatre practices but it also focuses on rural, folk, classical and traditional theatre," said Kendre.