PM Modi watches 'Anand Math' stage play at Ekta Nagar Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Synopsis
PM Modi watched a 300-artiste NSD production of 'Anand Math' at Ekta Nagar — staged precisely as 'Vande Mataram', the novel's immortal hymn, turns 150. The evening blended high-voltage cultural spectacle, 1.5 crore LED lights, and a ₹426 crore infrastructure push, making this Rashtriya Ekta Diwas the most elaborately choreographed yet.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi watched 'Anand Math: Maa Ne Phir Bulaya Ha' at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 30 October 2026 , mounted by the National School of Drama with 300 artistes on a 100 ft × 100 ft stage.
The production marks 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' , which first appeared in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1882 novel 'Anand Math' .
The Ekta Prakash Parv illumination festival uses more than 1.5 crore LED lights , featuring a 530-metre themed stretch and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel .
Bharat Parv 2026 , inaugurated by PM Modi on Friday, will run until 15 November 2026 and showcase traditions from all states and Union Territories.
On 31 October , Modi will inaugurate tourism and infrastructure projects worth more than ₹426 crore , including an IRCTC hotel, Ekta Cruise, and Rain Forest attraction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 30 October 2026 watched a grand theatrical adaptation of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic novel 'Anand Math' at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, as part of the cultural celebrations marking the eve of the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The event forms part of the two-day Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme centred around the Statue of Unity.
The Production: Scale and Significance
Titled 'Anand Math: Maa Ne Phir Bulaya Ha', the stage production was mounted by the National School of Drama (NSD) and featured approximately 300 artistes performing on a sprawling 100 ft by 100 ft stage. The performance ran for roughly 90 minutes, offering a contemporary interpretation of the 1882 novel — the literary work in which 'Vande Mataram', India's national song, first appeared.
This year's staging carries particular resonance: 2026 marks 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', lending the production an added layer of national significance. The adaptation brought to life the novel's core themes of devotion to the motherland, sacrifice, patriotism, and national consciousness, while seeking to connect its enduring legacy with contemporary India.
Ekta Prakash Parv: A Spectacle of Light and Unity
Following the theatrical performance, PM Modi participated in the Ekta Prakash Parv — an illumination festival celebrating India's unity, diversity, cultural heritage, and progress. The festival features two landmark installations.
A 530-metre illuminated stretch along Valley of Flowers Road carries the theme 'From Ancient India to Modern India', showcasing the country's civilisational arc, national identity, women's empowerment, security forces, technology, and yoga. Separately, a 180-metre Glow Tunnel themed 'Unity in India's Diversity' offers visitors a walkthrough display of the cultures, architecture, folk dances, handicrafts, and lifestyles of India's four geographic regions. Together, the installations employ more than 1.5 crore LED lights, with artworks created by artists drawn from across the country. The Prime Minister also attended the Narmada Aarti at approximately 8:15 pm IST.
Bharat Parv 2026 and Infrastructure Plans
Earlier on Friday, PM Modi inaugurated Bharat Parv 2026 at Ekta Nagar — a festival running until 15 November 2026 that provides states and Union Territories a platform to showcase their distinctive traditions, folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts, and tourist attractions. The festival is being held under the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'.
On Saturday, 31 October, the Prime Minister is scheduled to pay floral tributes at the Statue of Unity before inaugurating and laying foundation stones for tourism and infrastructure projects worth more than ₹426 crore at Ekta Nagar. The project portfolio includes an IRCTC hotel, an Ekta Cruise, a Rain Forest attraction, an Eco Trail, sewage and water treatment facilities, travelators, and improvements to visitor amenities. He will also visit the Rain Forest and Vaman Vriksha Vatika before taking part in the formal Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.
Context: Why Ekta Nagar, Why Now
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has been observed on 31 October — Sardar Patel's birth anniversary — since 2014, the year the Modi government instituted the commemoration. Ekta Nagar, home to the world's tallest statue, has become the ceremonial hub for the occasion. The convergence of the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', a large-scale NSD production, and a multi-crore infrastructure push reflects the Centre's effort to layer cultural programming onto the annual observance, deepening its reach beyond a symbolic tribute to the Iron Man of India.
Point of View
And this year's production scales that effort to its most theatrical expression yet. What is notable is the layering: a classical literary work, an NSD imprimatur, 300 artistes, LED spectacle, and a ₹426 crore infrastructure push all converging on a single occasion. The question critics may raise is whether this degree of cultural orchestration at a taxpayer-funded site advances national unity or primarily serves as political pageantry — a distinction the government would contest, but one that deserves scrutiny as the scale of Ekta Nagar programming grows each year.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Anand Math: Maa Ne Phir Bulaya Ha' and who staged it?
It is a theatrical adaptation of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1882 novel 'Anand Math', staged by the National School of Drama (NSD) at Ekta Nagar on 30 October 2026. The production featured around 300 artistes on a 100 ft by 100 ft stage and ran for approximately 90 minutes.
Why is 'Vande Mataram' significant to this year's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations?
The year 2026 marks 150 years since 'Vande Mataram' first appeared in 'Anand Math', giving the NSD production and the broader Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme a special commemorative dimension. 'Vande Mataram' is India's national song, making the milestone particularly meaningful for cultural programming centred on national identity.
What is the Ekta Prakash Parv at Ekta Nagar?
Ekta Prakash Parv is an illumination festival at Ekta Nagar celebrating India's unity, diversity, cultural heritage, and progress. It features a 530-metre illuminated stretch themed 'From Ancient India to Modern India' and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel themed 'Unity in India's Diversity', together lit by more than 1.5 crore LED lights.
What infrastructure projects will PM Modi inaugurate at Ekta Nagar on 31 October?
PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for tourism and infrastructure projects worth more than ₹426 crore, including an IRCTC hotel, an Ekta Cruise, a Rain Forest attraction, an Eco Trail, sewage and water treatment facilities, and improved visitor amenities.
What is Bharat Parv 2026 and how long will it run?
Bharat Parv 2026 is a cultural festival inaugurated by PM Modi at Ekta Nagar on 30 October 2026, providing states and Union Territories a platform to showcase traditions, folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts, and tourist attractions. It will continue until 15 November 2026, held under the 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' theme.
