By A Correspondent
Patna: Senior art journalists Reena Sopam and Naveen Rastogi have been honoured with the prestigious Bihar Ratna Award for this year by Patna-based theatre organisation Imagination.
The award was presented in recognition of their long-standing experience and distinguished contribution to art journalism and art writing. The honour was conferred during the valedictory ceremony of Biharangam 2026, held at Premchand Rangshala in the city.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Reserve Bank of India, Sujeet Kumar Arvind and Prabhat Kumar, along with cinema expert Vinod Anupam, Prof Jaymangal Dev, and Varun Kumar of the BJP’s Art and Culture Cell.
Following the award ceremony, an English play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett was staged. The production was directed by Kundan Kumar and featured Dr Kumar Vimalendu in the lead role. Earlier, child artistes from the Rock and Roll organisation presented a dance performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Biharangam 2026 organiser Kundan Kumar said that the Imagination organisation has been hosting the theatre festival for the past ten years. This year’s six-day festival began on January 23, 2026, and featured theatre groups from different parts of the country, with six plays being staged. The festival concluded with an English play, which drew a large audience.
Kundan added that a special feature of Biharangam is its tradition of honouring individuals who have made notable contributions to theatre and allied fields. “This year, the award was dedicated to art journalism, and we selected two prominent figures — Reena Sopam and Naveen Rastogi — for their remarkable work,” he said.
The organisation’s patron and noted film critic Vinod Anupam said that both awardees have vast experience in art journalism. “Sadly, very few people remain in Bihar today who carry forward this tradition. The understanding and patience required for serious art writing are rarely seen in the present generation,” he remarked.
Expressing her gratitude, art writer Reena Sopam said she had written extensively on theatre organisations and theatre practitioners of Bihar for over three decades in Hindustan Times. “It took immense effort to ensure space for theatre festivals and cultural events in newspapers. This award is the result of that struggle and my passion for writing,” she said.
RBI officer Sujeet Kumar Arvind said cultural initiatives like Biharangam must continue, as they help maintain artistic vibrancy in society. Actor Kumar Vimalendu noted that English theatre had returned to the Patna stage after many years and added that, encouraged by audience response, efforts would be made to continue such productions. Prof Jaymangal Dev observed that a new generation of theatre practitioners has now emerged in Bihar.
The programme was smoothly conducted by Shweta Surbhi.
Among those present were Prof Nandita of Patna Women’s College, Shahla Rahman, senior artistes Dinesh Kumar and Syamal Das, along with several other eminent citizens.
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