Overnight one-act play contest today to mark beginning of 100th Marathi natya sammelan

Nagpur: The much-awaited 100th Divisional Marathi Natya Sammelan, organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, will open on April 24 with an overnight one-act play competition at the Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh. Dedicated to Dr Girish Gandhi, a respected name in cultural circles, this unique event sets the tone for the four-day theatre extravaganza in Nagpur.

The contest, which begins at 6pm on Thursday, will be inaugurated by the popular comedy artist Hemant Patil, known for his stellar performance in the show Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra. The ceremony will be chaired by Ajay Patil, president of the Natya Parishad's Nagpur branch, and will have Padma Shri Dr Parshuram Khune, a veteran of the Jhadipatti folk art tradition, as chief guest.

Nine one-act plays by theatre groups from Mumbai, Amravati, Thane, Ambernath, and Nagpur will be performed through the night. A panel of judges — Adv Shailesh Gojamgunde, Shekhar Bendre, and Kajal Raut — will evaluate the performances.

The competition will conclude with the prize distribution ceremony at 6am on Friday, graced by Chala Hawa Yeu Dya fame actor Bharat Ganeshpure. The winners will take home attractive cash prizes: Rs 51,000 first prize, Rs 31,000 second, and Rs 21,000 third, along with individual awards for best acting, direction, set design, lighting, background music, and scriptwriting.

"This is a celebration of Maharashtra's rich theatre legacy. We are thrilled to begin the sammelan with this high-voltage artistic night," said Naresh Gadekar, vice president of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad.

Nine plays to be staged from this evening

* Chaanu by Pro Eventis, Mumbai

* Dark Age by Chandrastha Theatres, Nagpur

* Madhumoh by Ith Iti Natya Kala Pratishthan, Amravati

* Gatar by Bahujan Rangabhoomi, Nagpur

* Lekhika by M Studio, Nagpur

* Drushtant by Tandav Creation, Nagpur

* Baap by Thoravi Theatres, Nagpur

* Ithe Chool Konī Modū Naye by Nanya Parivar, Thane

* The Deal by Neocast Theatre, Nagpur