Since the past few years, one Marathi play is selected every year by the Mangeshkar family to be awarded the Dinanath Puraskar. The first Dinanath Puraskar was awarded to Mahesh Elkunchwar's's play AATMAKATHA. However, the family has stopped giving this award since the last two years.

Commenting on this Lata Mangeshkar said that there hasn't been a single play which has been worthy of this award and hence they have not declared the award this year either. But since there were no judges appointed to watch the plays that have been performed, questions are being raised about Lata Mangeskar's comments. Several theatre people have responded to these comments. In the past this award was given to the theatre company Chandralekha for seven consecutive years. Thus, there has been a general opinion that the award is given only to Mohan Wagh's plays.

The moot question is that if there are no judges then on what basis is such a statement being made. The Loksatta newspaper tried contacting the Mangeshkar family and Adinath Mangeshkar but there has been no response from them. Lata Mangeshkar's statements have evoked varied reactions from different people in the Marathi theatre fraternity. Here are some of them:
Is the audience stupid?

If we go by Lata didi's statement that the plays are unworthy of the Dinanath award then are the audiences stupid to appreciate these plays? Also, Lata didi has said that 'we' did not find this years's plays worthy of the award, then who are the 'we' she is talking about? Because I haven't heard of anyone from the Mangeshkar family having attended a play in recent times. Then who are the people who have decided the quality of the plays. There has been a wonderful response from the audience to many of the recent plays. So does this mean that the Mangeshkar family's taste for Marathi plays has deteriorated?

- Anant Panshikar (Producer-Natyasampada)


Not even a single play is worthy?

Some very good plays have been presented this year. I have seen almost all of them. I have been wondering as to why has Lata didi not liked any of these plays. The statement she has made does not suit a person of her stature. It is unjust to say that plays like PROPOSAL, BECHKI, MAILEKI do not deserve the award. If there would have been a play by Mohan Wagh this year it would have definitely won the award. Such things tend to diminish the value of an award.

- Ashok Patole (Playwright and director)


Next year we shall try to get better.

Lata Mangeshkar is a huge celebrity. Therefore, if she has made a statement like this there is definitely a reason behind it. But it is very unfortunate that she had to say this. We will try to put up better plays next year and hopefully manage to impress Lata didi. It is important to respect her statement and look at it with a positive outlook. We have liked her work for so many years; it will be a great honour if she likes our work too.

- Kadambari Kadam (Actress)


What is the criterion for the award?

What is the exact criterion that determines worthy candidates for the Dinanath award? Lata didi's statements have forced us to ask this question. I am not in position to talk about her. Nonetheless, her statements have hurt the sentiments of most theatre practitioners. This year there have been several notable plays in the Marathi theatre circuit. There has been a wonderful response from the audience to most of these plays. SHIVAJI UNDERGROUND IN BHIMNAGAR MOHALLA, TOM AND JERRY, SUKHANT, PROPOSAL, BECHKI and many other plays can be named. Did Lata didi find none of these worthy of an award?

- Rahul Bhandare (Producer- Advait Theatres)


Who were the judges?

This year there were several plays on varied subjects on the Marathi stage. So the exact criterion for the Dinanath award needs to be checked. Also, who are the judges who shortlist the plays for the award? This needs to be checked. In fact, the Mangeshkar family should declare the names of these judges. Which play should be given the award is totally their decision but I strongly oppose the statement made by Lata Mangeshkar. If the Mangeshkars did not want to give the award they could have done so without making a noise. But by saying this they have hurt our sentiments.

- Prashant Damle (President- Natyanirmata Sangh)


Enraging statement!

How many plays has Lata didi seen to say that the plays are unworthy? Which was the last play she saw? Have we ever commented about her music? We don't have the right to do so. That does not mean that she can speak in this manner about the theatre fraternity. In my opinion, the Producers association, the Natyaparishad and the Backstage artist union should come together to oppose such a statement.

- Mahesh Manjrekar (Producer- Ashwami theatres)


Latadidi should be treated with respect!

This award is given by didi's company. Judges are appointed for this purpose. When we participate in a competition we cannot always expect the result to be in our favour. This is not even discussed. The judges' decision is accepted as the final one. In my opinion, this matter should be handled similarly. Didi has said nothing wrong. Every award has its own standards. If she thought that a particular play could not meet those standards then there is nothing wrong in that. In my opinion it would be inappropriate to oppose her statements through the medium of the Natyaparishad.

- Mohan Joshi ( President- Natyaparishad)


Totally irresponsible statement!

Latadidi's statement about the plays is totally irresponsible. If she did not want to give the award she could have done so quietly. It is now important to find out who the judges were. It is also important to know whether all the plays which were awarded the Dinanath award in the past have been worthy of it. In my opinion that would be a debatable issue because only one theatre company has received this award repeatedly in the past. If she wanted to make a statement like this she should have done it responsibly by declaring the names of the judges. This raises a doubt as to whether there were any judges appointed at all.

- Vijay Kenkre (Director)


Now we will decide the worthiness of the award?

I have immense respect for Lata Mangeshkar. Not a single day has passed by without me listening to her songs. But that is no reason for me to support her derogatory statement about the Marathi theatre fraternity. Which was the last play didi saw should be clarified by her. She should not judge a play based on other people's opinions. Her statement is very upsetting. If the Mangeshkars will decide the worth of our plays then we will decide the worthiness of the award given by them.

- Anand Ingle (Actor)

*The above news is courtesy the Marathi newspaper Loksatta as published on April 14, 2013.