Khasdar Cup brings cheers to amateur theatre activity

Nagpur: The first competitive theatrical activity after the second wave — the Khasdar Cup one act play — concluded on Sunday with a grand prize distribution event. The competition instilled new energy into amateur theatre, said young activists.
The delight doubled, especially after Union minister Nitin Gadkari, the patron of the competition, announced Rs 10,000 each as ‘special production allowance’ to all 23 participating groups apart from the big prize money for the winners.
All the groups got their cheque on Monday morning and termed it as a Diwali gift which will give a major boost to theatre after being hit by the pandemic lull.
“This theatre event was a celebration of victory of life over the deadly virus. Everyone is a winner here. So, we decided to honour all participants,” said Gadkari, during the prize distribution event.
Senior theatre actor Sukanya Kulkarni-Mone and actor Devendra Dodke, who hails from Nagpur, were the chief guests.
“Honouring theatre groups for participation was special in this festival. All will get Rs 10,000 ahead of the new theatre season which is a big amount for amateur theatre activists,” said Salim Sheikh, one of the winners of the prize for playwright for his play ‘Ti Te’.
Khobragade Education Society’s team won the first prize of Rs 51,000 for their play ‘Mazi Baju Maza Paksha’ while the team of VMV College bagged the second prize of Rs 31,000 for their Hindi play ‘Suryasta Se Pehle’. The third prize of Rs 21,000 was awarded to the Ambhruni Group for their play ‘Mrutyunjay’. Two groups were given consolation prizes of Rs 11,000 each apart from cash prizes to the best actor, best director and technical categories.
The event was followed by a Natya Sangeet evening presented by classical vocalist Anand Bhate and Manjusha Patil. Together, they presented some iconic songs from the Marathi musical theatre. Rahul Solapurkar, who compered the event, shared some interesting anecdotes from the history of Marathi musical plays, which is considered as the golden period of Marathi theatre.
MANY FIRSTS
* First edition of Khasdar One Act play competition saw 23 plays from Nagpur district
* First time, participant groups received Rs 10,000 each
* Total prize money surpassed 2.5 lakh for the first time
* Event like iconic theatrical competition ‘Purushottam Cup’
* Plays in both Hindi and Marathi staged
* Covid protocols followed
* Next year, entries from across Vidarbha will be invited