Aarohan Theatre Group, also known as Aarohan Gurukul, is a prominent theatre group in Nepal. It is famous for producing shows that reflect various cultures, religions, and rituals of Nepal. Since its founding, the group has produced 15 TV shows for Nepal Television and numerous radio dramas, including a notable series that ran for 136 episodes. Aarohan's performances have reached international audiences, having been showcased in countries such as India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Norway, Denmark, and the United States. The group boasts two theater halls in its Biratnagar location.
Founded in 1982 by theatre artists from Biratnagar and registered with the District Administration Office in Morang, Aarohan later expanded to Kathmandu. In 2003, it established Gurukul, Nepal’s first-ever school of theatre. Located in Old Baneshwar and led by theater director Sunil Pokharel, Gurukul has become a hub for both professional and amateur theater artists. It constructed two theater halls in Kathmandu named Sama Theatre and Rimal Theater, and another hall in Biratnagar named Sushila Koirala Theater in honor of Biratnagar's first theater director. Aarohan Gurukul has organized various national and international theater festivals, including the Kathmandu International Theatre Festival. The group has worked with numerous international NGOs and bilateral donor agencies to promote awareness about human rights through Kachahari plays, a Nepali version of Forum Theatre.
Between 2003 and 2012, Aarohan Gurukul collaborated with organizations such as MS Nepal and the Norwegian Embassy, as well as the Government of Nepal's Election Commission. These collaborations made Aarohan one of the busiest art centers in Nepal, with artists touring the country to stage social message-oriented plays and modern performances for city-based audiences. The group also published books and journals, organized seminars on theater, and played a significant role in Nepal's public sphere during times of political turbulence.
