NCPA Pratibimb: Marathi Natya Utsav launched at NCPA by
Atul Kulkarni
This five-day festival of contemporary Marathi Theatre from August 7 - 11, 2010, at the
Experimental Theatre, NCPA, was officially launched today in the presence of
renowned theatre actor-director Atul Kulkarni
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Mumbai, August, 2010: From woman saints of the 13th century to subtle nuances of
middle-class mores. From Facebook to breast cancer and drug abuse. These are some
of the trends and stories highlighted in the new voices of contemporary Marathi theatre.
Echoing these expressions, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, today
announced the debut of its first-ever festival of contemporary Marathi Theatre — NCPA
Pratibimb: Marathi Natya Utsav. Aimed at providing a platform for young and
emerging talent in Marathi theatre, this festival will showcase six critically-acclaimed
plays directed by some of the most promising creative minds in the current Marathi
Theatre circuit.
Along with Khushroo N Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, also present at the launch of
NCPA Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav were eminent personalities and young talent
(whose plays are being featured in this festival): Veteran actor-director Atul Kulkarni,
Arun Kakade (President of Avishkaar Theatre Group), Manaswini Lata Ravindra
(Director of Ekmekaat), Sushama Deshpande (Director of Baaya Daar Ughad),
Aniruddha Khutwad (Director of Ek Rikami Baju and Mahapoor) and actor
Padmanabh Bind of the play Mahapoor, addressed the media today.
The festival, which is planned as an annual feature in NCPA’s calendar, will take place
from August 7-11, 2010 at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA. This will be the first time
that India's premier art and culture institution is organising its own Marathi Theatre
festival. As no Marathi play is complete without Katta – a lively session of debate and
discussion – each evening of NCPA Pratibimb: Marathi Natya Utsav will feature a katta
session that will be held at the Experimental Theatre at 5 pm. Theatre experts like
Shanta Gokhale, Jayant Pawar, Ravindra Pathre, Meena Karnik, Sumedha Raikar
Mhatre, will discuss various issues concerning theatre with Mohit Takalkar, Geetanjali
Kulkarni, Manaswini Lata Ravindra and others.
The idea of a Marathi theatre festival at the NCPA has been welcomed with
encouragement from the theatre community and various stalwarts of Marathi theatre.
Speaking on the occasion, Veteran actor-director Atul Kulkarni, who will be actively
involved in the festival stated, “Any festival embodies immense collective energy. NCPA
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Marathi Natya Utsav will encompass the energy, vibrancy and interactivity of
contemporary Marathi Theatre that needs a platform. I am grateful to the NCPA for
organising such an event. One will get to see a lot of competition between new and old
plays. It is a must watch for one and all. I request the readers to come for the festival.”
Taking cognisanse of emerging trends in Marathi theatre, Khushroo N Suntook,
Chairman, NCPA, said, “NCPA Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav has specially been
conceptualised to bring back the enthralling experience of Marathi Theatre. Audiences
will get to witness contemporary Marathi plays, new works as well as a fresh approach
to the texts by eminent playwrights. There is an energy and sense of adventure in these
plays, and an exploration of a variety of issues most importantly, modern urban
relationships.”
The last few years have witnessed a revitalisation of both Marathi cinema and theatre.
To encourage this trend and promote emerging talent in the performing arts space, the
NCPA launched its annual Marathi film festival last year titled NCPA Nave Valan, to
showcase new wave Marathi cinema. This year, the NCPA Pratibimb: Marathi Natya
Utsav has been conceived along the same lines to promote and provide a platform for
contemporary Marathi Theatre.
Commenting on the initiative Deepa Gahlot, Head ─ Programming (Theatre & Film),
NCPA said, “At the NCPA, we have seen a glorious tradition of Marathi theatre, with
eminent directors such as Vijaya Mehta and Amol Palekar staging their plays here.
Those doing offbeat contemporary theatre face an ongoing challenge with the lack of
suitable venues for their plays. By organising the NCPA Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav,
the NCPA would like to be a catalyst in the blossoming of a new Marathi theatre scene
in the city.”
Shanta Gokhale, Sumedha Raikar Mhatre and Sonali Kulkarni, are some of the others
who have pledged full support to the festival. The festival will see six new Marathi plays
selected with the help of renowned Marathi theatre critics and directors Waman Kendre,
Shanta Gokhale, Sandesh Kulkarni and Sumedha Raikar Mhatre. The line-up includes:
include Baya Daar Ughad, Ek Rikaami Baju, Geli Ekvees Varsha, Ekmekaat,
Anandbhog Mall and Mahapoor. This is just a small step into the vast universe of
Marathi theatre. There is more to come and also the dream that future editions of NCPA
Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav will be able to introduce more new plays and talent to
the theatre world.
The festival is supported South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, and Ketik Zaveri
Dimensions.
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Tickets: Rs.70/- for NCPA Members and Rs.75/- for the Public (on Weekdays)
Rs.90/- for NCPA Members and Rs.100/- for the Public (on Weekends)
Date
7th Aug
8th Aug
8th Aug
9th Aug
10th Aug
11th Aug
Name of Play
Baaya Daar
(6:30pm)
Ticket Cost
Ughad Rs.90/- for NCPA Members
and Rs.100/- for the Public
Katta Session to feature
5:00 pm: Sumedha Raikar
Mhatre on New Marathi
Theatre
Ek
Rikami
Baju Rs.90/- for NCPA Members 5:00 pm: Deepa Deosthalee
(3:00pm)
and Rs.100/- for the Public
with Geetanjali Kulkarni on
dealing with serious issues
on stage
Geli Ekvees Varsha
Rs.90/- for NCPA Members
Same as above
(6:30pm)
and Rs.100/- for the Public
Ekmekaat (6:30pm)
Rs.70/- for NCPA Members 5:00 pm: Ravinda Pathre
and Rs.75/- for the Public
with Manaswini LR on
current
trends
in
playwriting
Aanandbhog
Mall Rs.70/- for NCPA Members 5:00 pm: Jayant Pawar with
(6:30pm)
and Rs.75/- for the Public
Mohit Takalkar on Theatre
from Pune
Mahapoor (6:30pm)
Rs.70/- for NCPA Members 5:00 pm: Shanta Gokhale
and Rs.75/- for the Public
and Meena Karnik discuss
the critical perspective
Note: The panel discussion will take place at 5 pm each day at the Experimental
Theatre foyer.
To use the online booking facility simply log on to the NCPA official website
http://www.ncpamumbai.com / buy-tickets or visit www.bookmyshow.com.
For media queries please contact:
Hanmer MS&L Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Preeti Doiphode
Email: preeti@hanemrmsl.com
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Mb: 096191 61307
Nandita Sarkar
Email: nandita.sarkar@hanmermsl.com
Mb: 09011036009
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