Bhubaneswar: The five-day National Theatre Festival “Purva Ranga -2026” came to a grand close on Tuesday at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, leaving audiences with a memorable final evening of cultural celebration.
The festival, held from March 27 to 31, was jointly organised by the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Purbanchal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, under the patronage of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.
A stirring performance of the Odia marked the closing night play “Adrishya Nata”, presented by Rangashala Natya Anushthana of Puri. Written by noted playwright Harihar Mishra and helmed by director Bikram Kumar Sahu, the production drew sustained applause from a packed house.
The play traces the life and spiritual journey of poet Dinakrushna Das, exploring his deep devotion and reverence for Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Set against the literary, social, and political landscape of the Riti era – a significant period in classical Odia literature – the narrative offered audiences both an emotional and an intellectually enriching experience.
The ensemble cast, featuring Rupakala Mishra, Deb Prasad Das, Udayabhanu Mahapatra, Kedar Mishra, Rakesh Sahu, Narayan Raut, Sangram Keshari Das, Gauriranajan Barik, Shantanu Samantaray, and Mohit Animesh Das, delivered performances widely praised by the audience.
The closing ceremony was attended by prominent figures from Odisha’s cultural world. Celebrated playwright Dr. Shaileshwar Nanda and veteran actor Harihar Mahapatra graced the occasion as chief guests, offering their warm congratulations and best wishes to the entire cast and crew.
Over its five-day run, “Purva Ranga -2026” showcased the rich diversity of Indian theatrical traditions, with plays performed in Odia, Bengali, and Hindi – reflecting the festival’s spirit of cultural unity and artistic exchange across eastern India.
