A mismatched couple living in a city faces an existential threat after the government enacts a new law. In a remote village, a mob is trying to kill a narcissistic grandfather. People in mountain villages speak in whispers all year round, fearing that their words will cause an avalanche. At this year's Mahindra Excellence in Theater Awards (Meta), a mismatched couple, a terrifying mob, and frightened villagers form the protagonists of a play, many of which depict dystopian scenes of a society ruled by fear and control. It depicts a future.
Some of the 10 new works shortlisted for Mehta include 'Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta' by Marathi theater troupe Aasakta Karamanchi, Bhutangal by Kerala athlete Kaika Nadakavedi, and It includes works such as “Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta'' by the newly launched Mumbai Theater Company. The Gathered's debut feature Avalanche represents India's changing theater landscape, where new experiments with aesthetics and language allow playwrights to explore the deep divisions and doubts of a global society rocked by populism and authoritarianism. There is.
“Today, authoritarian governments can be found all over the world, and people face the imposition of different kinds of rules,” says Marat, a story of an ill-matched couple whose lives are suddenly upended. says Mohit Takalkar, director of the Tea language play “Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta''. The confusion arose after the government enacted a new law banning citizens from speaking more than 140 words a day. Aaditya, an unstable musician, and Feroza, a career-minded lawyer, are the protagonists of Takalkar, who are forced to navigate a new world of fear and control. The 100-minute play, set in a future described only as “tomorrow,” premiered in Pune last year and won Best Director, Best Picture and Best Actor for both women and men. It earned six meta nominations.
“We need to stand up and say what we want to say. We dare to say what we want to say strongly enough,” says Marwadi/Hindi/Awadhi/Haryanvi Drama by Ujjaagar Drama Society, Jaipur, Rajasthan Takalkar, who directed 'Hunkalo', says. Minimalist set and Manganiyar folk songs. Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta Ghanta, which like Hunkaro was part of the Kerala International Theater Festival held last month, stars popular Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar and also stars non-Marathi speaking actor Mallika Singh Hanspal. He is appearing. “I wanted to create a contrast in the words,” Takalkar explains of casting Hanspal.
Malayalam drama 'Bhutangal' has bagged five nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for 'OT Shajahan', directed by Palakkad-based athlete Kaika Nadakavedi. It examines patriarchy through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy who witnesses authority and brutality. . Ariyal Ali, who was nominated for Best Set Design, says, “This play deals with how social issues affect children and, ultimately, future generations.'' The play, based on the 2022 Malayalam film Appan, premiered in Dubai last month and depicts a family and village burdened by an authoritarian patriarch. Matters come to a head when a mob gathers to murder the narcissistic grandfather.
Avalanche, a Hindustani drama directed by Gandharv Dewan, has been nominated in six categories, including Best Picture and Best Director, and stars Shardul Bhardwaj, Swaroopa Ghosh, Vikram Kochar, Anamika Tiwari and Raksha Goel. An ensemble cast has come together to explore how the survival of a mountain village fluctuates due to the fear of disaster. The avalanche causes residents to speak in whispers. Avalanche, translated by Dewan, Bhardwaj and Rajesh Nirmal from the Turkish play of the same name by Tanser Chusenoglu, is The Gathered's debut work, commissioned by last year's Serendipity Arts Festival. “This play was translated into Hindustani from an English translation of the original Turkish play. It resonates with our times and challenges us artistically,” said Dewan National Drama School graduate. , says Dewan, who starred in the Netflix series “The Railway Men,” which depicts the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
Other nominees for this year's Mahindra Excellence in Drama Awards include Mumbai-based Tambu Theater Company's Gagan Damama Bajo (in Hindi), directed by Piyush Mishra, and Nagaon-based Rangamancha's His works include “Raghunath'' (Assamese), directed by Vidyut KR Nath, and TAAM Manipur's “Agni Suta Draupadi'' (Hindi). ) Directed by Maysnam Joy Methei, Mumbai-based 72° East Productions Siachen (Hindi) Directed by Makarand Deshpande, Kolkata-based Chetna Gopal Ure & Company (Bengali) Directed by Sujan Mukhopadhyay, This song Do you know? A film produced and directed by Mallika Taneja (Hindi/English) and Hayavadana (Hindi) by Girish Karnad from Bangalore-based Bhumija. This year's Meta judges include actor-writer Dolly Thakore, actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda, actor-director Kusum Haider, playwright Mahesh Dattani and actor Vinay Pathak.
