Eminent actor Pankaj Tripathi, known for his scintillating performances and deep bonding with the craft, has been chosen as the Festival Ambassador for the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav 2024 (ARM '24). To be held between 22nd November and 5th December 2024, this is the country's largest theater festival in Northeast India, celebrated under the rich cultural testament of Arunachal Pradesh. Pankaj will attend this festival with his wife Mridula.

Pankaj Tripathi is an actor who has journeyed from the small village of Belsand in Gopalganj, Bihar, through street plays and theatre (rangmanch). Passion for the art form took him to the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, the premier acting institute in India. Pankaj Tripathi has become one of the most sought-after actors in Indian cinema in the past few years of his career, appreciated widely for his versatility and authenticity.

Reflecting on his appointment as Festival Ambassador, Pankaj Tripathi said, "It's 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, my first love in the performing arts. I owe everything that I am today to the lessons I learned on the stage and passion I developed for storytelling during my early days in Gopalganj, performing street plays and rangmanch".

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 quite inspiring. This platform not only tries to honor the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the region but also gives a dynamic platform for artists across the globe to get together and present their works. "I am particularly excited about the festival's emphasis on Arunachal's oral folklore traditions and martial art forms and local performing arts, which are such a crucial part of our fabric. The juxtaposition with modern theatre practices makes it one of a kind-festival-cum-transformation- experience in theatre. I believe theatre has the power of unifying people, can break barriers, and can create an understanding of humanity across borders. I look forward to witnessing the magic of performances at ARM '24".

With the ultimate support and blessings of Honourable Deputy Chief Minister Shri Chowna Mein and our chief patron, we could organize this festival. Arunachal Rang Mahotsav entered its second edition with a forward tackle from Riken Ngomle who is Assistant Professor in Acting at NSD, under the patronage of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the support of Arunachal Tourism. As many as 15 days of performances will include national and international proscenium theatre, street plays, and intimate stage productions.

The festival aims at celebrating Arunachal's artistic spirit through performances inspired by the region's rich oral traditions, local dance, martial arts, and creating a unique blend of traditional and contemporary art forms.