Srinagar, Jul 31: The first-of-its-kind ‘Kashmir Theatre Conference’, which was scheduled to be held at Tagore Hall in Srinagar from August 1 to 3, has been postponed and will now be held on September 11 to 13, 2026, organisers announced on Friday.
The two-day conference will be organised by non-governmental organisation ACT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW with support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL).
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, ACT Chairman Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan said the event had been deferred due to unavoidable circumstances.
“The conference has been postponed due to some technical and unavoidable circumstances. We have now finalised September 11 to 13, 2026, as the new dates for the event,” Khan said.
He said the conference would be the first event of its scale dedicated exclusively to theatre in Kashmir.
“This conference is unique in many ways. It will provide a platform for young minds to learn, perform and celebrate the art of theatre while also facilitating meaningful dialogue among theatre practitioners, scholars and enthusiasts,” he said.
Khan said the conference will feature panel discussions, debates and lectures tracing the evolution of Kashmiri theatre from 1947 to the present, examining its artistic journey, achievements and contemporary challenges.
“The conference will bring together theatre practitioners, lovers and scholars from Kashmir and other parts of the country who have contributed significantly to the growth of theatre. Together, they will deliberate on ways to strengthen the theatre movement in Kashmir, improve the quality of productions and encourage greater youth participation so that the legacy of theatre continues,” he said.
Among the prominent speakers expected to address the conference are M K Raina, Ayash Arif, Mohammad Amin Bhat, K K Raina, Nisar Naseem, Ravi Khemu, Bashir Bhawani, Kamal Razdan, Manzoor Mir, Reshi Rasheed and Muzamil Bhawani, besides several other noted theatre personalities.
Participants and guests are expected to travel from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh and Aligarh, making the conference a national gathering of theatre professionals.
The organisers have invited schools, colleges, universities, theatre groups and aspiring young artists from across Kashmir to participate in the event. Educational institutions and theatre groups with stage productions will also be given an opportunity to perform during the conference.
