Kumar Sohoni’s new Marathi play ‘Hastaa Ha Savtaa’
Over the years Marathi plays have always invited the attention of the drama audience by presenting not only new subjects from time to time, but also thought provoking message besides entertainment. One such forthcoming Marathi play ‘Hastaa Ha Savtaa’ written by Abhiram Bhadkamkar and directed by Kumar Sohoni will be staged with the inaugural show on 17th June 2022 at 4 pm in Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruh, Vile Parle. Incidentally, Kumar Sohani
Produced by Morya Theatres and presented by Vedanta Entertainment, this play will present Priyadarshan Jadhav in central role. The other important artistes of this play are, Amol Bavdekar, Ashwini Joshi, Shraddha Pokhrankar and Prasad Dani. Incidentally, Kumar Sohani as a director has completed 49 years on stage and with this play he will begin his 50th year. Moreover, this is 25th play of Priyadarshan Jadhav . Music by Purshottam Berde and production design by Baba Parsekar are the other credits. This play is produced by Bhausaheb Bhoir.
Hrishikesh and Priyadarshan come together for ‘Chhupe Rustam’
Both Hrishikesh Joshi and Priyadarshan Jadhav have established themselves as writer, director and actors in Marathi entertainment industry. Now, these two stalwarts will be coming together for a Marathi stage play ‘Chhupe Rustam (छुपे रुस्तम)’ on 15th May, when the inaugural show of this play will be presented at Dinanath Mangeshkar Natygruh at 4.15 pm followed by another show at Shivaji Mandir, Dadar on 16th May at 3.30 pm.
Produced by Priya Patil and Anita Mahajan under the banner of Pravesh and Disha this play is directed by Vijay Kenkre. This play is written by Tejas Ranade. Production design is by Sandesh Bendre, Music is by Ajit Parab and Light effects by Shital Talpade. Earlier, the producers had presented popular plays like ‘Galti Se Mistake’ and ‘Don’t Worry Ho Jayega’. Speaking about their roles in this play, both Hrishikesh and Priyadarshan have said that they consider it privilege while working with reputed director like Vijay Kenkre .
‘Raigadala Jevha Jaag Yete’ show performed at Raigad fort
Realising the importance of Raigad fort a special show of Marathi drama ‘Raigadala Jenvha Jaag Yete (रायगडाला जेव्हा जाग येते ) ‘was staged at this historical venue recently, to celebrate 75 years of India’s independence. On this occasion, a small exhibition showing the importance of this fort was also held at this venue. Minister of State Govt. of Maharashtra Aditri Tatkare was present as a chief guest besides other dignitaries.
Directed by Upendra Date, the new team of this play comprise of Pramod Pawar, Yash Kadam, Upendra Date, Mohan Satam, Subhash Bhagwat, Master Chinmay, Mayur Bhatkar, Sandhya Velankar, and Anita Date. Speaking on this occasion, the team of this play expressed their happiness over the big response from audience and agreed to perform many more shows of this play in the current year at different places in Maharashtra.
’38 Krushna Villa’ will be Dr. Girish Oak’s 50th play
Dr. Girish Oak is a versatile actor, having performed in various stage plays, TV serials and films. His 50 th play ’38 Krushna Villa (’38 कृष्ण व्हिला’)’ directed by Vijay Kenkre will soon be staged with the inaugural show to be held at Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruh @ 4.15 pm on 19th March 2022. This will be followed by 2nd show at Gadkari Rangayatan, Thane on 20th March 2022 @ 4.30 pm.
This play is produced by Mihir Gavali and is written by Shweta Pendse, who has also performed lead role in this play opposite Dr. Girish Oak. Production designer is Sandesh Bendre, while Mangal Kenkre has designed the costumes. Music is by Ajit Parab and Shital Talpade has handled the light effects.
In this play Dr. Girish Oak plays a high profile character of Devdutt Kamat whoi is accused by a stranger woman Nandini Chitre with some serious charges. And then begins the challenge before Devdutt Kamat to prove himself not guilty.
‘ मृणालताई करंडक २०२२’ राज्यस्तरीय एकांकिका स्पर्धा
‘Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta’ all set to score 400
Prashant Damle is one such actor in Marathi, who has totally dedicated himself to Marathi stage. Having created many records in the past, Prashant is now all set to create another record with his popular Marathi play ‘Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta’ to perform its 400th show soon. After lifting of lockdown Prashant has succeeded in staging a full house show of this play recently.
Produced by Prashant Damle Foundation and Gauri Theatres, this play will be marching towards its 400th show soon and for that Prashant has already booked the shows of this play from 6th March to 14th March 2021. The 393rd show will be held at Deenanath Vile Parle, followed by 394th at Dr .Kashinath Ghanekar auditorium, Thane on 7th March, with 395th show at Gadkari, Thaneand 396th show at savitribai Phule, Domibivali. The next three shows will be held at Prabodhankar Thackeray, Borivali, Yashvantrao Chavan, Kothrud and Ramakrishna More , Chinchvad to move ahead with the 400th show at Balgandharva Rangmandir, Pune on 14th March 2021.
Both Prashant Damle and Kavita Lad Medhekar will be looking forward to celebrate success of their play with the best wishes from the Marathi audience.
‘Lok- Shastra Savitri’ Natya Jagar to begin from 3rd January
3rd January is the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule the renowned social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra. On this occasion, writer- director Manjul Bharadwaj through his Theatre of Relevance will be launching his Marathi play ‘Lok- Shastra Savitri’ with the 3 pm inaugural show at Malti Vaidya Smruti Trust, Badlapur. This will be followed by series of shows till 10th March 2021 at different places like Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Borivali besides Mumbai city.
It may be recalled that Savitribai Phule brought in many reforms in our society and people are aware of her contribution but still her principles are yet to be understood properly. Along with her husband, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, she played an important and vital role in improving women’s rights in India. She worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender.
It is for this reason, Mr. Manjul Bharadwaj wants to spread her principles through this play to generate awareness among the people. Group of Marathi artistes from Theatre of Relevance like Ashwini Nandedkar, Sayali Pawaskar, Komal Khamkar, Tushar Mhaske, Yogini Chouk and Surekha Salunkhe are part of this play.
Seminar to review changing scenario of Marathi plays
At present Marathi plays are going through a bad time . But, with the improving situation we can look forward to a changing scenario with audience returning to drama theatres. Though announcement has been made by our Government to reopen drama theatres soon, there is no movement noticed to see the rehearsals prior to the shows or booking of shows. Uncertainty still hangs over return of audience to the theatres. In short, the right mood is to be created.
Perhaps, taking this situation into account, Vinay Apte Pratishthan and ‘Jagatik Marathi Natyadharmi Nirmata Sangh’ have arranged a seminar in the form of Group Discussion on 7th December 2020 which coincides with death anniversary of Late Vinay Apte. This group discussion will be held @ 6 pm on this day at Madame Cama Hall, Savarkar Smarak , Dadar. This seminar is open only to invitees and participants like Vijay Kenkre, Vandana Gupte, Shrirang Godbole, Sunil Barve, Prajakta Deshmukh, Abhijit Jhunjjarrao will be part of this seminar. The programme can be seen live on FB page of Vinay Apte Prathishthan.
Zee5 offers variety of popular Marathi plays
During this lock down period what the regular Marathi theatre audience is missing is their favourite pastime of watching Marathi plays in drama theatres. For such people Zee Marathi has offered variety of old Marathi plays in video format. Some prominent pays in the list are, ‘Natasamrat’ starring Mohan Joshi and Rohini Hattangadi. ‘Aaranyak’ starring Dilip Prabhavalkar, Ravi Patwardhanand Pratibha Matkari.
1988 play ‘Kusum Manohar Lele’ starring Shubhangi Joshi, Bal Karve, Manda Desai and Dr. Girish Oak is also another attraction on this Zee5 app, besides another popular play ‘Vahato Hi Durvanchi Judi’ starring Subodh Bhave in the lead role. There is also ‘Kachecha Chandra’ starring Sharad Ponkshe and Harshada Khanvilkar while ‘Vegala Vhaychay Mala’ starring Nivedita Joshi and Jayant Savarkar is also another good choice. Among the other plays in the list are, ‘Pappa Sanga Kunache’ with Late Anand Patwardhan, ‘Goshta Janmantarichi’ with Mohan Joshi and ‘Ghar Shrimantanche’ with Sudhir Joshi.
Makarand Deshpande to make his acting debut on Marathi stage
Renowned Hindi stage and film actor Makarand Deshpande, who made began his acting career with Inter Collegiate Drama competitions, later turned writer director of many Hindi plays. He also performed in Hindi plays and was also seen in prominent roles in some of the Hindi films. Now, Makarand wants to make his acting debut in Marathi, through his favourite play ‘Sir,Premacha Kaay Karaycha’ which is written and directed by him.
Looking at the title of this play, it is clear that the play talks about ‘Love’ . But, it is a different type of love, which just happens. What if a girl student falls in love with her Sir ? This is what the subject of this film is all about. Along with Makarand, the other important artistes in this play are Ajay kamble, Aakansha Gade, Madhuri Gavali, Ninad Limaye and Aniket Bhoir. The inaugural show of this play is scheduled to be held on 19th December at Gadkari Rangayatan, Thane, followed by second show at kalidas , Mulund on 21st December 2019.
Speaking about his debut on Marathi stage, Makarand says, “I have written many Hindi plays over the years and also directed some of them besides acting. I have performed these plays in various parts of the country, like Gujarat, Rajastan, U.P., M.P, Kolkatta and Delhi. Now, I want to perform in my mother tongue Marathi and therefore I have selected my favourite drama for my debut on Marathi stage. I am sure that the Marathi audience would accept me in the same way I was accepted in Hindi.”