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Tag Archives: Stage Performances
Upholding the tradition
On October 01, 2003, the Ghantali Mandir Ground will offer the residents of Thane an opportunity to witness a unique dance competition. From five-year-old to those above 50 will participate in the Dance contest that is being organised by the Ghantali Prabhodini Sanstha. Participation to the contest is free. Now, if you think you are a great dancer and you’ve got it made, think again – because, the competition is for a particular genre of dance, popularly known as Bhondla. …
Staging talent
In the early part of the twentieth century, there was an American actress known for her outspokenness. Tallulah Bankhead, who worked in virtually every medium – stage, screen, radio and television – once proclaimed, "It’s one of the tragic ironies of the theatre that only one man in it can count on steady work – the night watchman." What she was referring to was the uncertainty that dogs the lives of theatre professionals, most of who land up in this …
Promising Amateurs
"Acting deals with very delicate emotions. It is not putting up a mask. Each time an actor acts he does not hide; he exposes himself", penetrating words from celebrated American Comedian Rodney Dangerfield. On Sunday, 50 students, aged between 5 and 15 years, "exposed" their delicate emotions in a similar fashion in front of an enthralled audience at Nakhwa Hall in Thane East. The students were participating in the annual acting competition organised by Mata Anasuya Baal Kala Manch, a …
An Act of Play
The Thane unit of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad (The All Indian Federation for Marathi Theatre) organised a competition of one-act plays on October 27, 2002. Held at the Marathi Grantha Sangralaya this year, the event is a wonderful grooming ground for local talent. The One Act Play Festival is an opportunity for up-and-coming acting talent to present their work in public and to have it adjudicated in public. The contestants compete not only for prizes but also for a …
All work and no play makes…
Extra-curricular activities provide school students an opportunity to break away from the monotony of academic exertions. Several studies suggest that participation in such activities help students perform better in school and beyond. Better grades, lower absenteeism and success in later life are some of benefits associated with extra-curricular pursuits. (See Box) City-based student group Jidnyasa has been endeavouring to cultivate the interest of students in non-school activities. Surendra Dighe who founded Jidnyasa in 1991, discloses, "Jidnyasa stands for curiosity – …
Words are all I Have
"Theatre is Life with the dull bits cut out", said Alfred Hitchcock. And the one individual who often facilitates these cuts is the compere. Compere is a British term, meaning Master of Ceremonies. And masters they are, of every stage show. Ask any regular patron of the Gadkari Rangayatan and chances are that he or she will tell you: A compere plays a key role in the success of any stage show. A compere is also the life of large …
Catch them young!
It was a pleasure watching young girls aged between five and eight performing in front of the huge audience at Gadkari Rangayatan on June 16, 2002. The occasion was the "Aakaar", the annual day function of Payal Nritya Natya Academy. The tiny tots performing Bharatnatyam displayed an amazing sense of synchronization in their movements. Despite the difficult body movements involved in this form of dance, the little girls carried off the show with finesse. The group also enacted a unique …
Melodious Transition
Natya Sangeet, or stage songs, is an important part of the Indian culture. And Thane city is certainly very Indian at heart. This was evident from the response to a programme on changing patterns of Natya Sangeet, which was held at Gadkari Rangayatan on February 16, 2002. More than a thousand people attended the show. The event was organized by CKP Social Club of Thane City in conjunction with a Mumbai-based cultural group called Swarendu. The theme of the show …
Dance Stance
Pandit Birju Maharaj, the most distinguished Kathak Dancer of our times, and the recipient of Padma Vibhushan award, was in Thane’s Gadkari Rangayatan Auditorium last week to participate in Gopikrishna Sangeet Mahotsav. While on stage, he recounted a rather funny but meaningful episode that occurred during a performance tour in Russia. Just a day before the performance was scheduled, the Pakhawaj master who was to accompany Birju Maharaj in the show, realized that he has forgotten to carry atta (wheat …