Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, to Perform at International Festival with “Sohni Mahiwal”

Chandigarh, February 12, 2025: The Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh, is all set to showcase its theatrical brilliance on an international platform with its latest play production, Sohni Mahiwal.

The play, written by Ekam Maanuke and directed by the esteemed Dr. Navdeep Kaur, Chairperson of the Department of Indian Theatre, will be performed at the Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM 2025) – International Theatre Festival of India 2025.

The Bharat Rang Mahotsav – International Theatre Festival of India 2025 is organised annually by the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, to present India’s rich cultural and artistic heritage on a global stage. The Bharat Rang Mahotsav is now recognised as the largest theatre festival in Asia, dedicated solely to theatre. BRM 2025, which will span 20 days, will feature more than 200 unique productions from 9 different countries, showcased across 13 locations in India and abroad. International theatre groups participating in the festival will be coming from Russia, Italy, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Nepal, Taiwan, Spain, and Sri Lanka. For the first time, the festival is expanding beyond India, with satellite chapters scheduled in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Alongside the festival’s epicentre in Delhi, Indian satellite locations will include Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Goa, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Khairagarh, and Ranchi.

Sohni Mahiwal will be staged at the LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi, on 14th February 2025, from 6:00 PM onwards.

Sohni Mahiwal is a timeless tale of love and sacrifice, deeply rooted in Punjabi folklore. Under Dr. Navdeep Kaur’s creative vision, the production promises a powerful and evocative portrayal of this classic narrative, blending traditional storytelling techniques with contemporary theatrical elements.

Speaking about the production, Dr. Navdeep Kaur expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “It is an honour for our department to present Sohni Mahiwal at an international festival. This play is a tribute to our cultural legacy, and we are thrilled to share its emotional depth and artistic vibrancy with a global audience.”

The participation of the Department of Indian Theatre in this prestigious event highlights Panjab University’s commitment to promoting the performing arts and fostering cross-cultural exchange. The team, comprising forty talented students and theatre practitioners, has been rigorously preparing to deliver a performance that resonates with audiences beyond borders.

The department invites theatre enthusiasts and the wider community to support this remarkable endeavour as they take Sohni Mahiwal to the international stage.