Symbiosis College’s English Literary Association Inaugurates the Curtain Call & Monologue Competition 2025-26

Reported by Devapriya K J
Pune, 29th August 2025: The English Literature Association of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce marked a new milestone in their cultural and literary activities with the inauguration of Curtain Call. The event was marked by the presence of Shrutee Karlekar, a renowned figure in the theatre arts, who is currently pursuing her master’s in Spanish.

Karlekar also played a leading role in the movie Ramamadav and was also part of TV serials. In recognition of her outstanding performance, she received accolades from the Government of Maharashtra and the National Broadcasting Company of India.

The event was inaugurated with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, which added positivity to the occasion. The event was then followed by the welcome of the judge, Karlekar, Head of the English Department of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Dr. Anil Adagale, along with other faculty members and students.

The highlight of the event was the Monologue Competition. The competition saw participation from various departments, bringing to life characters like Elizabeth Bennet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Jo March, and Shylock. It was purely a talent show where students used their body gestures to express emotions. Some even wore full character attire, adding extra effort to their performance. One such highlight was the portrayal of Cleopatra. Adding to their effort, students also used great intonation and voice to convey the characters.

Following the performance, the judge, Karlekar, was asked to share her comments. She shared valuable tips and techniques for aspiring artists of the future, such as the difference between a good pause and a bad pause, and the importance of body language. Later, the winners of the competition were announced, with first place awarded to Prathamesh Vatsyayan, second place to Samriddha Ghosh, and third place to Sangh Priya Rai.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, appreciating the winners and participants, the guidance of the faculty members Dr Pankaj Lokhande, Dr Avneet Kaur and Ms Swarali Joshi, and every member of the club who put effort into making the event a grand success. The ceremony not only celebrated the winners but also recognized the contributions of every participant through certificates, leaving a lasting inspiration for aspiring artists.