State children’s theatre fest ends with riveting and emotional plays

Nagpur: The 21st State Children's Theatre Festival, organised by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, concluded on Saturday amidst vibrant performances and enthusiastic participation by young talents.
In all, 18 schools and theatre organisations presented plays that depicted children's imaginative worlds, including themes like water conservation, the impact of mobile radiation, science, technology, cartoons, and other creative concepts.
This festival got support from the Khasdar Cultural Festival, the Municipal Corporation's Transport and Education Department, and District Collector Vipin Itankar. Coordinators Manjushri Dongre, Kunal Gadekar, and Dilip Devrankar played pivotal roles in the event's success. Four plays were staged on Saturday.
The day began with ‘Gulmohar', performed by Lal Bahadur School and Junior College, Bramhani. The play, written and directed by Sanjay Gaikwad, portrayed a story about children striving to save their school from closure due to low enrolment.
The emotional narrative highlighted their determination to perform a play to convince visiting officials of their school's value.
Ashwaghosh Kala Academy presented ‘Ghayal Pakhra', written by Virendra Ganvir and directed by Ashish Durge. This play focused on the struggles of Bhima, a physically and intellectually challenged child. The story showcased the relentless efforts of Bhima's mother to ensure his education despite societal neglect and prejudice.
Bahujan Rangabhoomi's play ‘Themb Themb Shwas', written and directed by Virendra Ganvir, narrated the moving story of three orphaned siblings striving for education amidst adversity.
The elder sister dreams of her brother becoming a doctor but faces immense challenges, including her battle with AIDS. The play captured the siblings' resilience and their struggle to achieve a better future.
The final play of the contest was ‘Adibanchya Betavar'. Arunoday Multipurpose Institute presented this captivating play, written by Dhananjay Sardeshpande and directed by Dipali Ambare. The story revolved around two children, Jackie and Monty, stranded on an island ruled by a manipulative minister exploiting tribal superstitions. Using their intelligence, the children exposed the minister's deceit, leading to his banishment and the liberation of the islanders from superstitions.
The festival provided a platform for children to explore diverse themes through theatre, creating an engaging experience for participants and audiences alike. The performances, featuring social messages, showcased the power of storytelling to inspire change and instil values in young minds.
The result of the divisional level round is expected to be declared on Monday. The top two plays will get the opportunity to contest in the state-level final round.