The winners of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) 2016...
March 16, 2016 1:42:07 PM IST MTG editorial
The 11th edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) concluded recently. Ten plays were shortlisted and nominated across several categories. The jury comprised author Kunal Basu, actor Kusum Haider, director and actor M.K. Raina, dancer, choreographer Tanushree Shankar and actor, director Sushma Seth.
Bagging four awards and stealing the thunder was Pune-based Mohit Takalkar's play MAIN HUUN YUSUF AUR YEH MERA BHAI. It won awards for Best Direction, Best Production, Best Light Design, Best Sound/Music Design, and a Jury Special Mention for Best Actor in a Lead role(Male).
Bengali production titled HAOAI- THE ELEVENTH PLANET was awarded the META for Best Actor in Supporting Role - Male and Female. The META for the Best Original Script was given to Sharanya Ramprakash's Kannada play AKSHAYAMBHARA. Prasad Cherkady was given the award for Best Actor in a Lead Role (Male) for his performance as Draupadi in the drama.
The award for the Best Actor in a Lead Role (Female) was given to Sayalee Phatak, who was part of Akash Khurrana's adaptation of Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar's MITRACHI GOSHTA titled A FRIEND'S STORY.
Malayalam play THE BALCONY, directed by Sasidharan Naduvil won the META for Best Costume Design. Moving on, Tamil play KUHAIMARAVASIGAL won the META award for Best Choreography. Mumbai-based director and actor Faezeh Jalali's 07/07/07 won the META for Best Ensemble. Lastly, an adaptation of 1920 German horror film titled THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI won the META for Best Stage Design.
The META Lifetime Achievement Award was given to veteran theatre personality and Chairman of the National School of Drama, Padmashree awardee Ratan Thiyam. The award was presented by noted theatre and film actor Shabana Azmi.
