Nagpur event honours theatre artists and children at divisional award ceremony

Time of India

05-05-2025

Nagpur: As many as 127
theatre artists
, technicians, and children were felicitated at the
Divisional Award Ceremony
for the 63rd
Maharashtra State Amateur Marathi Drama Competition
and the 21st State
Children's Drama Competition
on Monday at
Sai Sabhagruh
.
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The function celebrated the achievements of participants from Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, and Akola centres.
Organised by the directorate of cultural affairs (DCA), Maharashtra govt, the grand felicitation ceremony was attended by prominent names from the theatre fraternity. Ajay Patil, president of Natya Parishad Nagpur Branch; Salim Sheikh, president of the Mahanagar branch; Ravindra Fadnavis of Bal Kala Akademi; Geetabali Unhavae from Mumbai Natya Parishad; Jayashree Kapse, senior director; Chandrashekhar Dorle from Amravati; and Sandip Shende, assistant director of DCA, were among the dignitaries present.
The event honoured outstanding performers from both adult and children's categories. Renowned theatre personalities, including actors Puja Pimpalkar and Sachin Giri, playwright Asawari Naidu, and other prominent figures like Ravindra Bhusari, Rakesh Khade, Virendra Latankar, Baba Padam, Vishal Yadav, and Subodh Surjikar, also felicitated the winners.
Reflecting on the importance of timely recognition, organisers said, "It is now strategically decided to hold the divisional-level prize distribution within a year of the competition results to avoid delays.
Timely distribution of prize money is crucial for sustaining amateur theatre in Maharashtra." The prize money was revised recently, with the first prize team receiving Rs40,000, second place Rs30,000, and individual technicians and directors receiving between Rs5,000 and Rs20,000. Silver medals and certificates were awarded to the actors.
One of the notable winners, Hrushikesh Vinayak Niwal, won two awards — Best Director in the children's play category and an appreciation certificate for acting in the state festival held in Chandrapur.
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"It's a double delight for me. I dedicate these awards to my team of children who supported me through my directorial debut," said Niwal. Similarly, young actor Samarth Chavan, who won his first-ever certificate at the state level, shared his excitement and commitment to continue doing theatre.
caption
Theatre personality Hrushikesh Niwal being felicitated at Divisional Level Prize distribution function at Sai Sabhagruh on Monday
Nagpur: As many as 127 theatre artists, technicians, and children were felicitated at the Divisional Award Ceremony for the 63rd Maharashtra State Amateur Marathi Drama Competition and the 21st State Children's Drama Competition on Monday at Sai Sabhagruh.
The function celebrated the achievements of participants from Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, and Akola centres.
Organised by the directorate of cultural affairs (DCA), Maharashtra govt, the grand felicitation ceremony was attended by prominent names from the theatre fraternity. Ajay Patil, president of Natya Parishad Nagpur Branch; Salim Sheikh, president of the Mahanagar branch; Ravindra Fadnavis of Bal Kala Akademi; Geetabali Unhavae from Mumbai Natya Parishad; Jayashree Kapse, senior director; Chandrashekhar Dorle from Amravati; and Sandip Shende, assistant director of DCA, were among the dignitaries present.
The event honoured outstanding performers from both adult and children's categories. Renowned theatre personalities, including actors Puja Pimpalkar and Sachin Giri, playwright Asawari Naidu, and other prominent figures like Ravindra Bhusari, Rakesh Khade, Virendra Latankar, Baba Padam, Vishal Yadav, and Subodh Surjikar, also felicitated the winners.
Reflecting on the importance of timely recognition, organisers said, "It is now strategically decided to hold the divisional-level prize distribution within a year of the competition results to avoid delays.
Timely distribution of prize money is crucial for sustaining amateur theatre in Maharashtra." The prize money was revised recently, with the first prize team receiving Rs40,000, second place Rs30,000, and individual technicians and directors receiving between Rs5,000 and Rs20,000. Silver medals and certificates were awarded to the actors.
One of the notable winners, Hrushikesh Vinayak Niwal, won two awards — Best Director in the children's play category and an appreciation certificate for acting in the state festival held in Chandrapur.
"It's a double delight for me. I dedicate these awards to my team of children who supported me through my directorial debut," said Niwal. Similarly, young actor Samarth Chavan, who won his first-ever certificate at the state level, shared his excitement and commitment to continue doing theatre.
caption
Theatre personality Hrushikesh Niwal being felicitated at Divisional Level Prize distribution function at Sai Sabhagruh on Monday