Marathi drama fest to begin on Friday

NAGPUR: Kalarang, a recently formed institution dedicated to promoting art and culture of Maharashtra, will hold

Kalarang Natya Utsav

, its first festival in Nagpur, from November 11 to 14 at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall to showcase six entertaining plays from Mumbai.

“I have been a publicist for plays in Nagpur for the past 15 years, and this is the first time that six plays belonging to different theatre groups will be coming to Nagpur for a festival,” says Samir Pandit. The plays to be staged include Shri Bai Samarth, Ti Fulrani, Don’t Worry Be Happy, Amar Photo Studio,

Karti Kalajat Ghusli

and Sangeet Sanshaykallol. Two shows of each play will be staged during the event.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the programme and participate in a talk show ‘Manoranjan madhyam aani sabhovataalachyaa vaastavache pratibimb’. Along with Fadnavis, theatre veterans Dilip Prabhavalkar, Reema Lagoo, Arun Nalawade and journalist Mahesh Mhatre will participate. The show will be hosted by actor Sonali Kulkarni.

Eminent actors Dilip Prabhavalkar and Reema Lagoo will be honoured with Purushottam Darvhekar Smruti Sanmaan for their contribution to theatre. The inaugural function will also showcase Ganesh Vandana by actor Kranti Redkar, vocal recital by singer Rahul Deshpande, powada by Nandesh Umap and ‘geet’ by Abhijit Kadak and group.