LOCAL FARE
A five-day extravaganza of Marathi theatre promises to showcase some of the best talent from across the state
Bringing Marathi theatre to the forefront, Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav is an annual celebration of local talents that are often overlooked in the city theatre circuit. Currently in its eighth season, the five-day theatre festival , held at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA), is typically a curated mix of commercial and experimental plays that have garnered acclaim and won awards across the state. Khushroo N Suntook, Chairman of NCPA, says, “Marathi theatre advocates simplicity, with works highlighting beautiful stories from our daily life. We are excited to showcase a variety of plays that we believe have a great reach and connect with the audience, and have cutting- edge stories that reflect our society at its best.”
From August 5 to 8, the festival will feature seven plays — Party, Mumbaiche Kawale, MH12J16, Samajswasthya, Sangeet Bari, Ek Shoonya Teen, and Hey Ram. Most of the plays bear societal and traditional messages. For instance, Sangeet Bari has been creating a buzz in the theatre circuits with its focus on the dying heritage of the Lavani dance form. The play involves direct interaction between the artistes and the audience, and combines multiple narratives. It will also include live performances of old traditional Lavanis, which are either unknown or forgotten in today’s day and age.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT
An experimental play directed by Ram Daund, Hey Ram is one of the highlights of the event. Daund says, “The play is inspired by the story, Patra, by Marathi writer Sadanand Deshmukh in his famous novel Gabhulgabha. It represents the culture of the Bohada Festival, which is held in Nashik during Ramnavami.” Daund says he has taken the concept of the festival from the book and added his own storyline to it. “The play is set in the village of Londewadi in Nashik. I’ve tried to tell the familiar story of good versus evil through Ram and Ravana, and how both these aspects can exist within us,” says the director.
With a cast of thirty members, the play will highlight the conflict between two generations in a village where the youth does not want to continue with their tradition of the Bohada Festival. “There are several messages that I have wanted to put across through the play. I wanted to show the conflict between generations, good and evil, and modern and old. But the central message is to highlight that even though a person may be good, evil can also exist in a person. I’ve also wanted to show that old ideas and traditions are not always bad, and new generations’ ideas may not always be smart,” says Daund.
MORE OFFERINGS
Another award-winner, MH12J16 is a humorous piece written by renowned Marathi playwright, Dr Vivek Bele. Directed by Subodh Pande, it focuses on the role of the audience in contemporary commercial theatre productions. Interestingly, the play is a reflection on theatre and the plot is based on a young playwright who gradually wins the support of his audience. It underlines the need for the audience to accept new narratives rather than just accepting the classics.
The festival will close with Samajswasthya, a two-act play based on the life of Prof. R.D.Karve. Prof Karve is a familiar name in the field of birth-control, a much debated healthcare topic and timely in today’s day and age. The play draws its name from the monthly health magazine run by Prof Karve, Samajswasthya, which talked about mental and physical health for 27 years in India. The play aims to highlight the war between orthodox and progressive mindsets, emphasising freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and sexual freedom for the present generation.
SANGEET BARI HAS BEEN CREATING A BUZZUZZ IN THE THEATRE CIRCUITS WITH ITS FOCUSS ON THE DYING HERITAGE OF THE LAVANI DANCE FORM.FORM