Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed as the Festival Ambassador of the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav 2024, hailed as the largest international theatre festival in Northeast India.
Scheduled from 22 November to 5 December, the 15-day festival celebrates Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage and creative talent.
Expressing his delight, Tripathi remarked, “It is a great honour for me to be associated with the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav 2024 as its Festival Ambassador. Theatre holds a very special place in my heart, as it was my first teacher and my first love of the performing arts. I owe everything I am today to the lessons I learned on the stage and the passion I developed for storytelling during my early days in Gopalganj, performing street plays and rangmanch.”
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein warmly welcomed the actor and attended the vibrant festival, which aims to bring together the rich cultural heritage of the state with national and international excellence in theatre.
Tripathi, a celebrated actor known for his roles in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Bareilly Ki Barfi, as well as the acclaimed series Mirzapur, will be an honorary attendee alongside his wife, Mridula.
The festival showcases Arunachal’s traditional and contemporary performing arts, blending oral folklore, martial art forms, and local artistry with modern theatre practices.
Reflecting on the significance of such a platform, Tripathi said, “To see a festival like Arunachal Rang Mahotsav celebrating the power and beauty of theatre, especially in the culturally rich and vibrant region of Arunachal Pradesh, is inspiring. This platform not only honours the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the region but also provides a dynamic space for artists from across the world to collaborate and showcase their work.”
Tripathi expressed enthusiasm about experiencing the festival's offerings.
“I am particularly excited about the festival's emphasis on Arunachal's oral folklore traditions, martial art forms, and local performing arts, which are an essential part of our cultural fabric. The fusion of these traditional elements with modern theatre practices makes this festival a unique and transformative experience,” he added.
Highlighting the transformative potential of theatre, he concluded, “Theatre has the power to connect people, transcend barriers, and create a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. I look forward to witnessing and celebrating the magic of performances at ARM '24.”
The festival is expected to bolster interest in Arunachal’s artistic traditions and foster collaborations between local and global theatre practitioners.
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