Nagpur’s ‘Scholarship’ Clinches First Prize in Children’s Drama Competition

Nagpur: The much-anticipated results of the Nagpur divisional round of the 21st Maharashtra State Children's Drama Competition were announced on Thursday, with Scholarship, performed by Swanand Sanskritik Mandal, securing the first prize. The play captivated both the jury and the audience with its thought-provoking narrative about the rewards of good deeds and perseverance.
The second prize was awarded to Deva Ranjan Group's ‘Rakhetun Udala Mor' (The Peacock Rises from the Ashes), an inspiring tale of underprivileged children striving for education against all odds. Both plays have advanced to the grand finale, which is expected to take place in February.
The competition, held at Scientific Society Hall, Aath Rasta Chowk, from January 2 to 5, saw enthusiastic participation from schools and cultural organisations. Notably, two plays presented by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools — Ganit Desh and Tai — also stood out, highlighting the growing creative contributions of govt-run schools.
The jury for this year's competition included senior theatre personalities Sushama Kothikar, Yogesh Shukla, and Gurappa Shetgar, who evaluated the performances on criteria such as storytelling, acting, and overall impact. While the competition concluded earlier this month, the results were delayed for almost a week. Traditionally, results are announced in two or three days.
Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar and secretary of the cultural affairs department Vikas Kharge extended their congratulations to the winners and commended all participants for their stellar performances.
The divisional round showcased a rich diversity of themes, ranging from environmental concerns and societal challenges to children's imaginative worlds. Plays like ‘Adibanchya Betavar', ‘Themb Themb Shwas', and ‘Gulmohar' also received critical acclaim for their compelling narratives and vibrant execution.
Individual prizes:
Direction: Amol Nimbarte (Scholarship), Chinmay Deshkar (Rakhetun Udala Mor)
Lights: Deepak Nandgaonkar (Adimanchya Betawar), Sapan Raut (Manasa)
Set Design: Jyoti Gawli (Manasa), Mamata Nandgaonkar (Adimanchya Betawar)
Silver Medal for acting: Vyankatesh Makde (Rakhetun Udala Mor) and Kaumudi Salpekar (Scholarship)
Acting Certificates: Nandini Tungre, Samidha Wankhede, Vidhi Kharabe, Gauri Wavge, Rehan Battase, Om Kulkarni, Kartik Dokrimare, Viraj Gulhane.