Kalaburagi Natakotsava-2026 to be held in Kalaburagi from February 21 to 28

With the objective of shaping Kalaburagi into a creative hub of Karnataka, the district will host its first-ever national theatre festival ‘Kalaburagi Natakotsava-2026’ from February 21 to 28.

Addressing press conference here on February 20, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum and Ranga Shankara founder Arundhati Nag said that the week-long theatre festival is being organised by the Kalaburagi district administration and Kalaburagi Next Foundation in collaboration with Ranga Shankara.

Evening performances will be staged at Dr. S.M. Pandit Rangamandira, while children’s plays will be presented at Kalaburagi Rangayana during the day. Theatre interactions with noted artistes will be held daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kannada Bhavan auditorium.

The festival opens on February 21 with Karimayi, directed by B. Jayashree (Spandana, Bengaluru). Other productions include Jo Dooba So Paar (Hindi-Urdu) by Aranya Theatre Group, Mumbai, on February 22; Mukhyamantri (Kannada) by Kalagangotri, Bengaluru, on February 23; Purana Chawal (Hindi) by D For Drama, Mumbai, on February 24; Kamarupigalu (Kannada) by Sanchaya, Bengaluru, on February 25; About Ram by Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust, New Delhi, on February 26; Kalachakra by Kalaburagi Rangayana on February 27; and Bob Marley from Kodihalli by Jangama Collective, Bengaluru, on February 28.

For children, puppet productions include Circle of Life on February 22 and 23, Jobless Job on February 24 and 25 and Chippi – The Chipkali on February 26 and 27, which will be held at the Rangayana auditorium.

Theatre interactions

Daily theatre interactions will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat auditorium.

B. Jayashree will speak on Karnataka’s company theatre tradition on February 22; H.K. Shwetharani will discuss nuances of acting on February 23; Krishnamurthy Hanur will address theatre and folk traditions on February 24; Nataraj Honnavalli will speak about direction on February 25; J. Srinivasamurthy will discuss classical Indian theatre on February 26; and K.P. Lakshman will speak on script preparation on February 27.

Ms. Nag said the festival aims to strengthen local theatre activity and support regional art forms. She also emphasised that organising theatre festivals is not only about staging performances but about building a vibrant theatre culture.

The actress said the objective is two-fold — to expand audiences and to nurture new talent. By exposing students to quality productions, theatre can inspire interest in acting, direction, and scriptwriting, helping them develop artistic taste and skills.

She also highlighted that theatre has a wider role beyond entertainment. It is a collaborative art form that shapes discipline, creativity and empathy.