4 day long BHARANGAM starts at DLC SUPVA with the play "Umeed: Manushya Zinda Hai" (Hope: Humanity is Alive)
The 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (Bharangam), organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), is being held in 44 cities across the globe. In Haryana, this four-day theatre festival is being organized at the Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLC SUPVA), Rohtak.
Girish Saini
Feb 9, 2026 07:51
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Rohtak, February 9, 2026: The 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (Bharangam), organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), is being held in 44 cities across the globe. In Haryana, this four-day theatre festival is being organized at the Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLC SUPVA), Rohtak.
On Monday, the play “Umeed: Manushya Zinda Hai" (Hope: Humanity is Alive) was staged on the first day. Written by Dr. Sacchidanand Joshi, the play was performed by the Pragya Theatre Group of Delhi. The play was directed by Laxmi Rawat.
The one hour and 40-minute play begins at a Durga Puja pandal. During the Puja, a stampede suddenly breaks out in one of the pandals. It is discovered that a child has broken the idol. When it is revealed that the child belongs to another religion, the crowd becomes angry and starts searching for him. A Hindu doctor hides the child in his home. The doctor tries to reason with the crowd, but the crowd, which no longer behaves like humans, turns into rioters and refuses to listen. Chaos ensues. The child's father, the doctor, and nearby residents are brutally beaten. The news spreads like wildfire, and members of a particular community arrive at the scene in anger.
The story then moves to the time of the partition. The doctor takes everyone back to 1947, when the country gained independence but was divided into two parts. He recounts the stories of the people from the same neighbourhood who suffered during the riots. Hearing the story, everyone bows their heads in shame, regardless of religion. Then the doctor asks them to introspect. The play depicts the violence related to the partition, the fragmentation, and the pain arising from memories, and tries to explain that its impact still persists in people's lives today. The play conveys that the memories of the partition should not be forgotten, because remembering them is what paves the way for humanity, unity, and understanding. It is not just a theatrical performance, but also an appeal to society to embrace compassion and understanding instead of conflict.
The play conveys the message that the memories of the partition should not be forgotten, because remembering them is the only way to foster humanity, unity, and understanding.
In the play, Peetambar Singh Chauhan, Kusum Chauhan, Vikrant Sharma, Pragya Singh Rawat, Jagmohan Singh Rawat, Bably Adhikari, Kuldeep Aswal, Meenakshi Pokhriyal, Disha Negi, Gauri Pokhriyal, Bharat Singh Bisht, Reena Ratudi, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Chaudhary, Mahendra Singh Bisht, Raju Raje Singh, Mintu Sharma, Akshay, Saurabh Kumar, Piyush, and Sachin Kumar acted. Mintu Sharma handled stage properties, Saurabh, Sumit, and Meenakshi managed costumes, Saurabh and Pragya took care of makeup, Shivankar Deshwal handled music, Kamal Kishore was in charge of lighting, Akshay Dobra and Reena Ratudi served as assistant directors, and Aranya Ranjan Kshetra took on the role of coordinator.
On Tuesday, the second day of Bharangam, the play "Sandal Bar" will be staged by the Amritsar-based group Manch Rangmanch. This play will be performed in Punjabi by artists. This play, which tells a story buried in the pages of history, attempts to highlight contemporary issues such as identity, belonging, and human values. The playwright is Dr. Harjit Singh and the director is Kewal Dhaliwal.
