From a New Space, With Much to Share - Cohort of 2026 is here!
One month into 2026 and Bargad has been so busy that we are full of updates to share!
First up, Bargad has moved into a new space with the support of Black Box Okhla and Nikhil Mehta, who have stood by us since day one. We have two beautiful new studios, which we have named Basera and Chaupal, up on the second floor (which is now dedicated to Bargad) in the beautiful BBO building.
Basera Chaupal
The new cohort has arrived! We spent three days together in orientation, settling in, meeting one another, and easing into the rhythm of the fellowship. There was also a heart warming chai, samosa and cake party organised for the new cohort by the outgoing batch of 2025. It was a magical evening that was put together entirely by the alumni with so much thought, care and ownership, that there was not a dry eye in the room. A Bargad freshers party if you will. Just how special it was to watch traditions being birthed that were not even of our creation is hard to describe. We must be doing something right. We’re happy to share testimonials from two of our alumni, Sunny and Altaf, which they had shared with the new cohort about their own journeys.
The evening also saw the introduction of the Buddy system - which pairs each new fellow with an alum, creating space for informal check-ins and peer support as the year unfolds.
Meet the Cohort of 2026
The Bargad Fellowship welcomes another diverse group of individuals, shaped by different journeys, regions, and interests, and brought together by a shared curiosity to explore and learn through theatre. In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing glimpses of their process, their works-in-progress, and their reflections but for now, we’re just glad to have them here :)
Unit One Has Begun
Unit One marks the foundation of the fellowship - focusing on the body, voice, play, and collective thinking. Here’s what the fellows have begun working on so far:
Movement for Actors with Diya Naidu
Foundations of Ensemble & Play with Amba Suhasini K Jhala
Voice Through Music with Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj
Introduction to Stanislavsky I with Madhu Bhagat
Bargad ka Chabutra Update - Public Shows
As part of the Bargad Ka Chabutra Production Grant (given out to students from the batch of 2025), Maanu Ke Sapne is ready to meet its audience! We’re so excited to see this work step out of rehearsal rooms and into shared viewing. The two ticketed shows will be performed on 21st and 22nd February at Lilanoor Studio.
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks are going to be full with the students stepping into acting and devising with Anuradha Kapur and Neel Chaudhuri and Voice work with Hetal Varia (who comes all the way from Bombay to teach at Bargad).
Thank you for being part of this journey - whether as mentors, supporters, audience members, or fellow practitioners.
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