The IIT theatre fest will showcase six plays in Hindi and English. All the shows will be held at its P C Saxena Auditorium, IIT Campus, Powai at 8:15 pm with the exception of Ramu Ramanathan�s COTTON 56, POLYESTER 84 which will be performed at 1:15 pm.

The IIT Theatre Fest has been organised and mentored by Prof Raja Mohanty and Ramu Ramanathan.

Prof Mohanty states, "It is our intention to promote theatre at the IIT. This is to ensure IIT evolves into a meeting point for our students and faculty, along with artistes, theatre practitioners, musicians, poets, playwrights, directors, media people, others - into a hub-hub of liveliness. We hope to make this an ongoing activity. We're most grateful to all the theatre groups for agreeing to perform for next to no money."

There will be a two-day theatre workshop for IIT students on 19th and 20th August.

The following is the schedule for the festival:

Essay Communications' NAAMABAR - The Messenger - (Urdu)
22nd Aug (Tuesday)
Director: Salim Arif
A stage-reading of letters and poems by the illustrious Urdu poet, Mirza Ghalib in the 19th Century

Attic Salt Theatre's CHOTTU SPEAKING (English / Hindi)
23rd Aug (Wednesday)
Director: Joy Fernandes
A play in which a very young Chottu speaks about his memories which spring up, delightfully

Aranya's SHAKKER KE PAANCH DAANE (Hindi)
24th Aug (Thursday)
Director: Manav Kaul
An exciting piece of new writing in Hindi, about the proverbial under-dog, performed by Kumud Mishra

Arpana's GARAM KAMRA (Hindi)
25th Aug (Friday)
Director: Sunil Shanbag
Adapted from the Hungarian play by Firentz Karinthi, about a meeting between a cynical intellectual and a street smart office worker

Arpana's COTTON 56, POLYESTER 84 (Hindi)
26th Aug (Saturday) ... show at 1.30 pm
Director: Sunil Shanbag
A gritty, true-to-life musical saga centred around Girangaon, Mumbai's historical textile mill district

Ank's HUM DONO (Hindi)
27th Aug (Sunday):
Director: Dinesh Thakur
A hugely popular play based on Arbuzov�s original Russian comedy Old World

For further information, contact

Sai Krishna (9869698142).
Ajay Arya (9819974234).
Sonal Jha (9892490140).
Prof Raja Mohanty (9820570198) - [email protected]

*The above information has been provided by Ramu Ramanathan. Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.