Veteran theatre artist Prabhakar Ambone honoured with lifetime achievement award

Nagpur: Veteran theatre director and actor Prabhakar Ambone was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Nagpur branch, during its annual awards ceremony held on Monday at the Shrimant Baburao Dhanwate Hall. The event also marked the foundation day of the branch.

Presiding over the function, senior litterateur and former President of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, Ravindra Shobhane, emphasised the need for Vidarbha's theatre artists to gain practical insight and business acumen in the field of performing arts. "Artists from Vidarbha are no less talented. What they need is a medium of expression and practical perspective. They must understand the dynamics of commercial theatre to excel," he said.

The event was graced by Shrimant Raje Mudhoji Bhosale, President of the Nagpur branch of the Natya Parishad, Ajay Patil, vice-president of the central executive committee in Mumbai, Bhausaheb Bhoir, General Secretary Naresh Gadekar, senior actor Devendra Dodke, and executive members Sanjay Rahate and Pramod Bhusari. The ceremony paid tribute to the late veteran actor Dr Vilas Ujawane.

Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award, Shrimant Raje Mudhoji Bhosale hailed Ambone's lifelong dedication to the stage. Ambone, in an emotional speech, said, "Receiving this award from my own theatre family fills me with great joy. I dedicate this award to all my colleagues. I have never compromised on my theatre values. If we can create inclusive emotions through our performances, Nagpur will continue to shine in the theatre world."

He also expressed gratitude towards audiences and the theatre fraternity and appealed to theatre lovers to respect every artist and not belittle anyone.

Bhausaheb Bhoir remarked, "A city's glory lies not in materialistic development but in the presence of its artists." He also called for a strong movement for children's theatre. Shrimant Mudhoji Raje Bhosale said that support for meaningful theatre initiatives must be wholeheartedly sought and extended.

In his welcome address, Ajay Patil called for collective efforts to organise the upcoming Natya Sammelan.

Felicitation of Theatre Artists

Kishor Ailwar: Senior theatre artist

Seema Godbole: Outstanding theatre artist

Roshan Nandwanshi: Rangseva (service to theatre) award

Prof Rajkumar Musale: Theatre critic award

Chandrakant Chaudhary: Best Playwright

Sunil Titre: Best theatre artist (Rangdharmi)

Ragini Bidkar & Santosh Vadpalliwar: Senior artists from Zhadipatti theatre tradition

Bhavana Chaudhary: Best actress

Yashwant Chopde: Best actor and director

Pranav Kore: Best lighting design

Asidhara Lanjewar: Best set design

For excellence in theatre contributions: Punyashil Lambat, Rashmi Lande, Roshni Selokar, Sakshi Naygaonkar, Akshay Gulhane, Manish Chaudhary, Manish Uike and Venkatesh Makde