The fourth edition of the Chitralekha Gujarati Natya Spardha 2010 was venturesome in the subjects and the variety of genres it showcased. Out of the 40 entries of full-length plays received by Bhavan's Cultural Centre Andheri (BCCA) this year, eight plays made it to the finals. The BCCA Campus, Andheri hosted the finals from December 26 to January 3 and the grand finale took place on January 7 2010.

The variety of themes included human relationships, the backdrop of the July 2006 deluge in Mumbai, loss and death, and one was a funny take on the state of Gujarati Theatre today.

The final eight plays were:

EM PUCHINE THAAY NAHI PREM
RAAT RANI
PERFECT HUSBAND
HONEY NEEDS MONEY?
BHABHU RETIRE THAAY CHE
26TH JULY
VISH TRUSHA
PRIYA PAPPA HAVE TOH...

The judges chose to present awards to actors of the plays that did not make it to the finals. The judges said that they wished to encourage maximum participation in theatre. Amongst the winners - Baroda-based group, Nandi Arts' play RAAT RANI bagged the Best Play and Best Director Awards. While the runners up for the Best Play category was won by Surat-based H K Arts' PRIYA PAPPA HAVE TOH, the third position in the category saw a tie between Mumbai's Our Creation's Em PUCHHI NE THAI NAHI PREM and Jamnagar's Theatre People's VISH TRUSHA. However, the judges could not choose a single play that was worthy of being awarded the title of Best Script.

The defining play RAAT RANI that won awards for the Best Play and Best Director, also bagged the best Male and Female Actor awards. The play was based on dealing with lost love, loneliness and friendship, yearning for a loved one- all connected with the essence and passion for Music. The actors were much appreciated by the audience. Music was merged well into the story - an aspect that kept the protagonists connected. The end of the play signalled the failure of a woman's love and possessiveness, the disappointment of a young boy who loved music and had lost his best piano-playing partner, and a doctor who was unable to treat his patient. Moving back and forth in time, the play had many surprise elements that kept the audience engaged.

Special mention:

BHABHU RETIRE THAAY CHE

The play most enjoyed in the competition, was a spoof on Gujarati Theatre. Well-known Gujarati plays were joked about and commercialization of Gujarati theatre was the core of the play. With excellent actors, professional approach to stage design, sound and lights, and tongue-in-cheek dialogues, many in the audience, amongst whom sat Gujarati theatre personalities, couldn't help raise brows in surprise.

Most of the plays saw a packed audience. With 40 entries in all from Navsari, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Palanpur, Rajkot, Porbander, Jamnagar and Mumbai, the competing plays were performed in Rajkot, Baroda and Mumbai. Nearly 800 artistes participated in 24 shows of the plays. One hopes that the Chitralekha Natya Spardha can get more exciting in the coming years.