NCPA presents Pratibimb - Marathi Natya Utsav...A 5-Day Festival of contemporary Marathi Theatre...
July 25, 2012 12:00:00 AM IST MTG editorial
With plays ranging from human folly to socio-political drama, this year's edition of NCPA Pratibimb - Marathi Natya Utsav has an enriching and enlightening mix of experimental Marathi theatre. Begun in 2010 by the National Centre of the Performing Arts (NCPA), Pratibimb was conceptualised to reflect the best and provide a platform to contemporary Marathi theatre. Pratibimb, meaning reflection, holds up a mirror to new works in Marathi theatre. With the aim of promoting Marathi theatre and its understanding, each performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast and crew of the play.
The theatre festival showcasing 6 new plays will be held between August 3 - 7, 2012, at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA. One of the most influential and progressive Marathi playwrights today, actor and theatre director Satish Alekar will be felicitated at the opening of the festival on August 3. He is special to the NCPA, as the first play staged at the Experimental Theatre after its inauguration, was PRALAY, directed by Satish Alekar and adapted from German writer Gunter Grass's The Flood. This year, Pratibimb - Marathi Natya Utsav will also see three plays by production houses from Pune.
CHITRAGOSHHTI by Awishkar Productions will make its debut at this years' festival. From the actors' improvisations of Sudhir Patwardhan's paintings emerge interesting stories of family tensions and life in the metropolis. Lalit Mumbai's presentation LAKH LAKH CHANDERI seeks to understand how art, glamour and life are intertwined while Rangamala's SHIVAJI UNDERGROUND IN BHEEMNAGAR MOHALLA highlights the relationship between history, human race and emblems. Maharashtra Cultural Centre's (Pune) SHOKAPARVA brings to light the lives of two important female characters from the Mahabharata, and APOORNAT APOORNAM puts together a case of three individuals that strangely come together to play a game. Pune Municipal Kamgar Union's SATYASHODHAK emphasizes on the casteism plaguing our society, then and now.
Speaking on the occasion, Khushroo N Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, says, "The NCPA has assembled a contemporary array of Marathi theatre today. Old stories have been given a new form by newcomers, and new writers are bringing their fresh vision onstage. It enables the audience to have a glimpse of the best of contemporary Marathi plays and much more, all under one roof. The festival is our humble initiative to continue to encourage Marathi theatre."
Deepa Gahlot, Head - Programming (Theatre & Film), NCPA, says, "It is with great pleasure that we announce the third edition of the NCPA Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav. The plays are largely centered on relevant societal themes making a powerful collective statement. Here's to the adventurous spirit of today's young groups. We hope that sustained activity on the Marathi theatre front will soon make the NCPA a hub of everything new and exciting that comes up on the Marathi Rangabhoomi. The NCPA is also proud to felicitate Professor Satish Alekar this time."
With plays ranging from human folly to socio-political drama, this year's edition of NCPA Pratibimb - Marathi Natya Utsav has an enriching and enlightening mix of experimental Marathi theatre. Begun in 2010 by the National Centre of the Performing Arts (NCPA), Pratibimb was conceptualised to reflect the best and provide a platform to contemporary Marathi theatre. Pratibimb, meaning reflection, holds up a mirror to new works in Marathi theatre. With the aim of promoting Marathi theatre and its understanding, each performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast and crew of the play.
