Shimla, July 22, 2026: Preparations for the Bal Rangmanch Utsav – Inter-School Hindi Theatre Competition 2026, organised by Keekli Charitable Trust, commenced with the first orientation workshop for teachers from participating schools. The three-day festival will be held from October 7–9, 2026, at the Gothic Hall, Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, celebrating children’s creativity through Hindi theatre, literature, teamwork, and artistic expression.
More than a theatre competition, Bal Rangmanch Utsav is a unique educational initiative that introduces students to the richness of language, literature, and culture through the performing arts. Every year, participating schools bring to life short stories written by eminent Himachali authors, enabling children to explore their literary heritage while developing communication skills, confidence, imagination, and collaborative learning.
The festival’s Chief Guest this year will be renowned actress and theatre personality Divya Jagdale, whose inspiring journey in the performing arts is expected to motivate the young participants.
The inaugural workshop was conducted by senior theatre artists Shri Srinivas Joshi and Jawahar Kaul, who introduced teachers to the fundamentals of theatre, including character development, voice modulation, stagecraft, movement, dialogue delivery, and techniques for creating impactful performances within a school setting. The highly interactive session also provided teachers with practical insights into the rehearsal process and the educational value of theatre as a learning tool.
The festival will be mentored by four experienced Creative Directors—Vivek Mohan, Sanjeev Arora, Rupesh Bhimta, and Kumar Shanu. Each Creative Director has been assigned a group of participating schools and will work closely with students over the coming months. Through regular school visits, rehearsals, and skill-building sessions, they will guide students in adapting stories into stage productions while nurturing their acting, communication, teamwork, and performance skills.
During the workshop, each participating school was allotted a selected short story by a Himachali writer. Over the next few months, these stories will be transformed into scripts and eventually into theatrical productions by the students themselves under the guidance of their teachers and Creative Directors. This collaborative process is designed to give children first-hand exposure to the complete journey of theatre-making—from reading and interpreting literature to scripting, rehearsing, and performing on stage.
This year’s festival will feature the participation of 15 schools: Swaran Public School, Tutikandi; Saraswati Paradise International Public School, Bhattakufar; ECI Chalet Day School, High Court; Monal Public School, Sanjauli; Sambhota Tibetan School, Chhota Shimla; Government Senior Secondary School, Kadaur (Shoghi); Delhi Public School, Shimla; Roots Country School, Bhagi; Government Senior Secondary School, Sarog (Theog); St. Edward’s School; PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School of Excellence, Totu; St. Luke’s Senior Secondary School, Solan; Sacred Heart Convent School, Dhalli; Lakshay Convent School, Manjyat; and Lakshay Public School, Arki.
As per the competition guidelines, each school will present a theatrical production of up to 20 minutes. A final technical rehearsal for all participating teams will be organised at the Gaiety Theatre during the second week of September, where schools will receive professional guidance on stagecraft, lighting, sound, and overall presentation before the final performances.
The Bal Rangmanch Utsav will conclude on October 9, 2026, with the final performances followed by the prize distribution ceremony.
The organisers believe that Bal Rangmanch Utsav is much more than a competition—it is a meaningful cultural and educational movement that encourages children to appreciate literature, embrace creativity, build confidence, develop empathy, and strengthen teamwork. By connecting young minds with Himachali literature through theatre, the festival continues to preserve local literary traditions while inspiring a new generation of readers, performers, and storytellers.
