YUVAA Rang Utsav to regale Jalandhar audience from Nov 22

The 11th edition of YUVAA Rang Utsav (YRU), an annual celebration of theatre, will bring a diverse range of plays from across India to Jalandhar from November 22 to December 14. Hosted by YUVAA Theatre in association with the K L Saigal Memorial Trust, the festival will feature 10 exciting productions, including plays from Mumbai, Delhi, Dehradun and Chandigarh, alongside five performances by YUVAA’s own troupe.

Curated by Dr Ankur Sharma, the festival promises to offer Jalandhar’s theatre enthusiasts a vibrant line-up, showcasing the richness of Indian theatre from various states and districts. YUVAA, the city’s only home-grown theatre group, has been hosting this national festival for 11 consecutive years, bringing in high-quality drama from artists across the country. It is also credited with commercialising theatre in Jalandhar, introducing ticketed shows that now enjoy packed audiences every year.

Ankur Sharma, the founder and creative director of YUVAA, shared, “The Rang Utsav is our effort to bring theatrical brilliance from across the country to the audience of Jalandhar. Each year, we strive to elevate the festival and enrich the city’s cultural scene.” He added, “It’s amazing that a national theatre festival has continued here for over a decade and our association with K L Saigal Memorial Trust further enhances our commitment to cultural promotion, including the annual Punjabi play festival in April to honour K L Saigal’s legacy.”

The festival will open with a brand-new play by Mumbai-based Funtoosh Players, directed by Vibha Chibber (of Chak De! India fame), who will also perform in the production. The second week will feature Wo Afsana by Team Raabta from Delhi, exploring the poignant relationship between poets Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam.

Other highlights include Qismat Palace, a suspense thriller from Dehradun’s Eklavya Theatre and Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, an adaptation of the famous play 12 Angry Men by Chandigarh’s Parampara Arts. The festival will conclude with Ghalib, a comedy poetry play from New Delhi’s Pierrot’s Troupe.

YUVAA will also showcase its own popular productions throughout the festival, including The Overcoat, All My Sons, Pyar Ki Extra Class, Bichhu and the latest comedy, Dost Dost Na Raha. These performances, spanning the festival’s four weekends, will add a local flavour to the event, offering both classic and contemporary drama to Jalandhar’s theatre lovers.