Amity School of Languages Hosts Three-Day Theatre Festival

The Amity School of Languages, Amity University, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), organized a three-day Amity Theatre Festival 2025 focusing on “Theatre in Education and NEP 2020.” The festival brought together scholars, practitioners, and students to explore the role of theatre in pedagogy and cultural discourse.

The inaugural day featured a powerful staging of “Nagamandala,” a celebrated play by Girish Karnad, performed by the university’s Mimesis Dramatics and Film Club. Directed by Dr. Rohit Yadav, Assistant Professor of English, the production experimented with live music, puppetry, and folk theatre traditions, blending classical storytelling with contemporary techniques. More than 70 participants were involved, showcasing collective creativity and teamwork.

Music direction was led by Vikash Singh, Visiting Fellow of English, in collaboration with students from Bhatkhande Sanskriti University. Together, they presented over eight original songs, performed live to complement the dramatic narrative. The Hindi translation of the play was done by Mayank Yadav, who introduced a unique twist by creating a fourth ending to Karnad’s original three, executed successfully with the support of the director and the cast.

The performance saw strong contributions from lead actors Rimmi Rai, Kuber Tiwari, Raj Rai, and Divyanshi Srivastava, who brought depth and intensity to their roles. Ayush Prasad’s innovative puppetry particularly captivated the audience, earning widespread appreciation for its emotional resonance.

Festival organizers noted that the event highlighted how theatre can enhance education by blending creativity with learning, resonating with the vision of NEP 2020 to promote holistic and experiential education. “This production was more than a play—it was an educational experiment that connected literature, performance, and pedagogy,” said Dr. Yadav.

With its blend of traditional and modern performance elements, the festival underscored theatre’s transformative role in nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness among students. The remaining days of the festival will include panel discussions, workshops, and additional performances exploring theatre’s evolving place in academia.