Pune: City theatre fest to celebrate silver jubilee this year

Pune, 6th May, 2024: Marking the silver jubilee of its annual ‘Balrang Mahotsav’, Maharashtra Cultural Centre is all set to present this year’s edition from 15th to 23rd May, 4 pm to 8 pm at Shriram Lagoo Rang Avakash, first floor of Jyotsna Bhole Auditorium building, Hirabaug Chowk, Tilak Road.

Speaking about the Mahotsav, Shubhangi Damle, Treasurer of Maharashtra Cultural Centre, said, “As is done each year, this year as well ‘Balrang Mahotsav’ is being planned to provide quality entertainment to children to expand their creative abilities and help their personality development.”

With the beginning of the long summer vacations, parents and children are keen on exploring good-quality camps and workshops. Maharashtra Cultural Centre has been organising ‘Balrang Mahotsav’ for the past 25 years and over the years we have received an overwhelming response because our Mahotsav offers camps that are not only fun but also help in the holistic development of children. The workshops, camps and plays are for the age group of 10 years to 14 years.” she added further.

This year’s Mahotsav will include a music camp from the 15th to the 21st of May by Swanandi Sadolikar which will have simple music and rhythm-based games, poetry and bandishes. A scientific toy-making camp will be held from May 15 to 18 by Shivaji Mane. Partha Mawal will conduct a special martial arts training self-defence camp from May 15 to 21. A camp on working with mud and soil by Anushree Dhavale will be held on May 15, 16, 17 and 23. Mukta and Niketan’s Bollywood dance camp will be held from May 15 to 21 and Kokil Sir’s math fun camp will be held from May 18 to 21. Timings of all camps will be 4pm to 6pm.

Post these camps every day between 6.30 pm to 6.45 pm there will be platform performances like a violin performance, puppet show, music jamming, bubble show, stories, songs and so on followed by plays for children.

These plays will include Zee Award winner ‘Cherry Eke Cherry’ on May 15 presented by Srinidhi Zad and Tanmay Bhide, ‘Abhalmaya & Shalechi Gani’ presented by Satpute and Kale Sir on 16th May, ‘Pakka Limbu Timbu’ presented by Arundhati Agashe on 17th May, ‘Alay Amchya Lakshat’ presented by Aditya Yadav on 18th May. ‘Raja Nang Dhadanga Hai’ produced by Kumud Mishra and directed by Vikrant Thakar on 19th May, ‘Minglish Medium’ presented by Richa Apte on 20th May, ‘Superhero’ presented by Niketan Nandurbare on 21st May, ‘Ek Doka Char Paya’ presented by Soham Athawale on 22nd May and ‘Miss Competition’ presented by Soham Athawale on 23rd May. All plays will be showcased at Shriram Lagoo Rang Avakash at 7pm.

It may be noted that for all 6 different workshops the intake is 25 children per workshop and there is no participation fee for the children.

However, the plays for the children that will start at 7:00pm will be the ticketed ones.