100th Marathi Natya sammelan a treat for drama lovers from 24th

Nagpur: The Orange City is all set to host a theatrical spectacle like never before as the 100th Vibhagiya Natya Sammelan of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad will be held from April 24 to 27 at Suresh Bhatt Hall.

Celebrated theatre icon and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Prashant Damle, addressed a press conference in this regard on Tuesday. "Reaching the 100th milestone is not just a number — it's a celebration of Marathi theatre's soul. And what better place than Nagpur, the cultural heart of Vidarbha, to mark this historic occasion," he said.

With commercial plays, folk performances, one-act competitions, and seminars, the Sammelan promises to be a carnival for drama lovers. The Natya Sammelan will be inaugurated on April 26 at 11am. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, industry minister Uday Samant, and minister of state Ashish Jaiswal will be the guests. The closing ceremony on April 27 at 6pm will be graced by Union minister Nitin Gadkari alongside renowned actress Neelam Shirke Samant, and other prominent personalities from the world of theatre and politics.

The celebrations kick off on April 24 with an all-night Ekankika (one-act) competition dedicated to theatre patron Dr Girish Gandhi. The prize distribution will be held on April 25 at 6am by comedy king Bharat Ganeshpure, followed by a stage puja led by TV actor Devendra Dodke.

A special Natya Dindi will bring cultural fervour to the streets of Nagpur on April 26 at 7am, starting from Shivaji Putla, Mahal.

Over 900 artists will take part, showcasing the rich folk traditions of Maharashtra. "The dindi will be a moving theatre of our cultural legacy," said Naresh Gadekar, central vice president of the parishad.

Audiences can expect to see leading names from Maharashtra's theatre and film world, including Bhau Kadam, Dr Jabbar Patel, Ajit Bhure, Vijay Gokhale, Vijay Kenkre, Chandrakant Kulkarni, Mohan Joshi, Sagar Karande, and Shalaka Pawar.

"We're bringing together the past, present, and future of Marathi theatre under one roof," said Ajay Patil, President of the Nagpur branch.

STAGE SET TO SIZZLE

Apr 24: All-night Ekankika (one-act) contest. Prize distribution on April 25 at 6am followed by a stage puja

Apr 26: A special Natya Dindi at 7am, starting from Shivaji Putla, Mahal

Apr 26: 12pm: Commercial drama ‘Serial Killer' by Bhau Kadam; 3pm: ‘Saraswatijanmabhoomi'—a historic play on Vidarbha; 5pm: Seminar on contemporary Marathi theatre featuring Vijay Kenkre, Ajit Bhure, Chandrakant Kulkarni, and others; 6pm: Cultural showcase ‘Maharashtrachi Lokdhara'; 9pm: ‘Shatakottar Jhadipatti' — tribal theatre showcase by 150 artists from Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia

Apr 27: 9am: Child artistes and Divyang children to perform for Bal Natya Parishad; 12pm: ‘Natyadhara'—a drama series by the Nagpur branch; 5pm: Folk extravaganza with Dandar, Tamasha, and Khadigammat; 7pm: Mumbai's hit commercial play ‘Heech Khari Familychi Gammat' starring Shalaka Pawar, Santosh Pawar, and Sagar Karande