Parul University hosts Vadodara Rashtriya Natya Mahotsav 2025, a 4-day theatre festival featuring Manoj Joshi, Shekhar Suman, Rakesh Bedi & more, celebrating the city’s rich cultural legacy.
Popularly known as the Kala Nagari (City of Art), Vadodara has long been celebrated as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat — a living reflection of the visionary Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who sought to make theatre and performing arts a key pillar of a vibrant society. His vision led to the establishment of the Faculty of Performing Arts as the first faculty at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Even today, this dream continues to flourish through the city’s thriving art, theatre, and festivals, turning Vadodara into a true hub of cultural expression.
Carrying forward this legacy, Parul University is set to host a four-day celebration of theatre and creativity — the Vadodara Rashtriya Natya Mahotsav. Designed to be a robust platform for artists and dramatists from Vadodara, Gujarat, and across India, the festival will showcase the richness of India’s theatrical heritage. Hosted under the banner of the university’s Faculty of Performing Arts, the Natya Mahotsav aims to conserve, promote, and revive drama as a major art form, ensuring its timeless relevance.
The festival will be inaugurated by veteran actor and Padma Shri awardee Manoj Joshi, a celebrated theatre personality whose iconic role in the play Chanakya has left an indelible mark on Indian theatre. His presence at the inauguration will be a fitting tribute to India’s cultural and artistic traditions, inspiring the next generation of performers.
Across its four days, the festival will feature eight captivating dramas, including Chanakya, Ek Mulaqat, Massage, and Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai. Audiences can look forward to performances by celebrated theatre personalities such as Manoj Joshi (Chanakya), Shekhar Suman & Geetika Tyagi (Ek Mulaqat), Rakesh Bedi (Massage), and Rajendra Gupta & Himani Shivpuri (Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai), along with several other productions that promise to showcase a vibrant blend of storytelling, artistry, and creativity.
Speaking about the event, Dr. Manish Jangra, Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts and Senior Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at Parul University, said:
“Theatre is not just an art form; it’s a mirror to our collective cultural and human experience. Through this Natya Mahotsav, we aim to preserve Vadodara’s legacy of storytelling while fostering artistic exchange and building a strong community of theatre practitioners.”
Dr. Parul Patel, Vice President of Parul University, added:
“Vadodara Rashtriya Natya Mahotsav is both a tribute to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and an inspiration for the next generation to embrace the timeless art of theatre.”
Parul University’s Faculty of Performing Arts offers full-time degrees in Music, Dance, and Theatre, along with dual-degree programs that allow students to pursue their passion alongside their profession. Through such initiatives, the university continues to uphold the Maharaja’s vision of nurturing talent and cultivating deep appreciation for India’s artistic traditions.
The Vadodara Rashtriya Natya Mahotsav stands as a testament to Parul University’s commitment to promoting creativity, ensuring that Vadodara remains a thriving stage for performing arts for generations to come.
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