In a historic celebration of performing arts, ‘Rang Tarang’—a festival of theatre and dance—concluded today at Mandpam, IIM Jammu, setting a new benchmark for cultural engagement on campus. Over four days, from July 15 to 18, the festival showcased 16 plays and 4 traditional dance performances, all under the artistic direction of Padmashree Balwant Thakur.
The event, inaugurated by IIM Jammu Director Prof. B.S. Sahay, brought together 128 talented artists, marking the highest number of performances ever held in a single campus-based festival of its kind.
Theatre enthusiasts were treated to a diverse lineup of plays, ranging from world and Indian classics to contemporary dramas. Notable productions included Rehearsal by Lakshmi Kant Vaishnav, Aaj Ki Aurat by Balwant Thakur, The Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton, Gadda based on Kishen Chander’s story, and Budhi Kaaki by Munshi Premchand. Other highlights were Ander Nagri, Sabse Bada Aadmi, Coffee House Wali Ladki, Girgit (based on Anton Chekhov), Refund, Jonk, and more.
Complementing the theatrical lineup, the festival also showcased vibrant dance performances celebrating the cultural richness of Jammu and Kashmir. Students performed Gojri, Pahadi, and Dogri Jagarana dances, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Festival Director Balwant Thakur said, “Rang Tarang 2025 was not just a platform for performance but a celebration of India’s diverse cultural tapestry and youthful creativity.”
The event was supported by senior professionals from Natrang, including Neeraj Kant, Pawan Verma, Sunny Mujoo, Kananpreet Kaur, and Brijesh Avtar Sharma, who helped coordinate the Young Tarang segment of the festival.
With its unprecedented scale and artistic depth, Rang Tarang has set a new cultural precedent in academic institutions.