A critically acclaimed Konkani play, Desh Raag, has been selected by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to represent Goa at a prestigious National Theatre Festival. Organised by India's apex cultural institution to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the festival features nationwide productions exploring the country's freedom struggle. The nationwide events are set to take place on July 15, coinciding with Kalidasa Jayanti.

Written by researcher and playwright Yugank Naik and performed by a young theatre collective, Desh Raag delves into a defining yet lesser-known chapter of Goa's liberation movement. The narrative focuses on the life of Bala Raya Mapari, who is regarded as the state's first martyr, and chronicles the early resistance against Portuguese colonial rule between 1953 and 1955. The production is highly regarded for its historical authenticity, emotional depth, and archival research. It previously won the Best Original Script award at the 50th Kala Academy State Drama Competition and has already completed seven successful performances across Goa, including a special staging for students on Goa Revolution Day.

For its upcoming national festival showcase, the play is being staged at the Kala Academy in Panaji on July 15 at 6:00 PM, with coordination from the Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa. In line with the Sangeet Natak Akademi's guidelines, the production features an entirely young team, requiring every cast and crew member to be under the age of 40. Bringing together 75 performers and nearly 30 technicians, the event stands as one of the largest youth-led theatre initiatives from Goa in recent years, aiming to connect younger audiences with the sacrifices of the state's freedom movement.