The journey towards Bal Rangmanch Utsav – Inter-School Hindi Theatre Competition 2026 began with an inspiring orientation workshop for teachers from participating schools, marking the first step in a unique initiative that blends literature, theatre, and experiential learning. Organised by Keekli Charitable Trust, the three-day festival will be held from October 7 to 9, 2026, at the historic Gothic Hall, Gaiety Theatre, Shimla.
More than a competition, Bal Rangmanch Utsav is a celebration of creativity and learning through the performing arts. The festival aims to cultivate an appreciation for Hindi theatre, literature, teamwork, and self-expression among school students. A distinctive feature of the initiative is its focus on Himachali literature, with participating schools adapting selected short stories by renowned Himachali writers into original stage productions. The process not only introduces children to the region’s literary heritage but also nurtures imagination, communication skills, confidence, and collaborative learning.
This year’s festival will be graced by celebrated actress and theatre personality Ms. Divya Jagdale as the Chief Guest. Her presence is expected to inspire the young performers and reinforce the importance of theatre as a powerful medium of artistic and personal expression.
The inaugural teachers’ workshop was conducted by veteran theatre practitioners Shri Srinivas Joshi and Jawahar Kaul, who shared their expertise on the fundamentals of theatre, including characterisation, voice modulation, movement, stagecraft, dialogue delivery, and effective storytelling. Designed as an interactive learning experience, the workshop equipped teachers with practical tools and creative techniques to mentor their students throughout the production process.
Adding professional mentorship to the festival are four accomplished Creative Directors—Vivek Mohan, Sanjeev Arora, Rupesh Bhimta, and Kumar Shanu. Each has been assigned a group of participating schools and will work closely with students over the coming months. Through regular school visits, rehearsals, script development, and skill-building sessions, they will guide young performers in transforming literary works into compelling theatrical presentations while fostering creativity, teamwork, discipline, and stage confidence.
During the workshop, every participating school received a selected short story by a Himachali author. Over the next few months, these stories will be adapted into scripts and developed into complete theatrical productions under the joint guidance of teachers and Creative Directors. The initiative offers students a rare opportunity to experience the entire creative process of theatre—from interpreting literature and scriptwriting to rehearsals and live performance.
The festival will bring together 15 schools from Shimla and neighbouring regions: Swaran Public School; Saraswati Paradise International Public School; ECI Chalet Day School; Monal Public School; Sambhota Tibetan School; Government Senior Secondary School, Kadaur; Delhi Public School, Shimla; Roots Country School; 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; Sacred Heart Convent School; Lakshay Convent School, Manjyat; and Lakshay Public School, Arki.
Each participating school will stage a production of up to 20 minutes. Before the festival, all teams will assemble at Gaiety Theatre in the second week of September for a technical rehearsal, where theatre professionals will provide guidance on stage design, lighting, sound, and performance techniques to help refine each production.
The festival will culminate on October 9, 2026, with the final performances followed by the prize distribution ceremony.
Keekli Trust believes that Bal Rangmanch Utsav is far more than an inter-school theatre competition. It is a vibrant cultural movement that connects young minds with literature, promotes creative expression, and nurtures empathy, confidence, leadership, and teamwork. By bringing the stories of Himachal’s writers to the stage, the festival continues to preserve the state’s literary heritage while inspiring the next generation of readers, performers, and storytellers.
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