Pune: Ganesh Mandarthi and Rituparna Biswas to get Tanvir Natyadharmi Award this year

Pune, 8th November 2024: Ganesh Mandarthi, a Yakshagana artist from Karnataka and Rituparna Bose, noted theatre – television artist and the co-founder of the theatre group ‘Amta Parichay’ from West Bengal will receive this year’s prestigious Tanvir Natyadharmi Puraskar 2024 instituted by the Rupvedh Pratishthan, Pune and Maharashtra Cultural Center. The award would be presented to them during the special ceremony to be held at the Shreeram Lagoo Rang-Avakash, Hirabaug Chowk, Tilak Road, Pune on November 16th at 4:30pm.

K.V. Akshara, Head of Neelakanteshwara Natya Seva Sangha (NISASAM) from Karnataka will be the Chief Guest for the function and shall deliver a keynote address on the topic titled ‘Expanding the Notions of Activism in Theatre’. This was informed by Rajesh Deshmukh, Secretary of Maharashtra Cultural Center.

The Tanvir Natyadharmi is an award and fellowship to recognize the contribution of youngsters to the theatre at large. So, the award is in the form of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) cash and a Silver Plaque. It was instituted in the year 2004 by Deepa and Shreeram Lagoo in the memory of their son Tanvir.

About Ganesh Mandarthi – Born August 30, 1987, Ganesh hails from Mundaadi, Kokkarne, in the Udupi district of Karnataka. He is primarily a Yakshagana artist, serving as a Bhagavata in Yakshagana, and plays the Maddale in both the Sigandur and Mandarthi Mela repertories. He worked for about two years in the Yakshagana repertory in Udupi district. Ganesh graduated from Ninasam in 2009–2010 and served as a theatre teacher for two years at the Rangayana Mysore Indian Theatre Education Centre. He has directed plays at Gombe Mane – Dharwad, Aatamaata – Dharwad, Janavanadaata – Heggodu, Sanehalli Shiva Sanchara, Rangayana Repertory, Neenasam School, Neenasam Balaga, and Neenasam Children’s Camps.

He directed numerous plays for children, including Valivade, Nere, Kuvempu Poem, Oliver, Complete Ramayana, Chomana Dudi, and Satru Andre Saitara, among others. He has also directed plays for adults, such as Raghavanka’s Harishchandra Kavya, Kumaravyasa’s Bharata, Karnasaangatya, Vaali Vadhe, Kaamarupigal, Draupadi Heltavle, Oedipus Vasantharanga, Chomanadudi, Mamatheya Suli, and Shivoham. Ganesh has been working extensively with amateur theatre in Karnataka.

Currently working with Mysore Rangayana Repertory, Ganesh has dedicated almost 17 years to Kannada theatre. He has also recited Kuvempu’s epic Ramayana Darshanam at several colleges across Karnataka. Ganesh Mandarthi is an actor, director, musician, and music director in Kannada theatre.

About Rituparna Biswas – Rituparna began her theatre journey at the Siliguri Theatre Academy at 13, inspired by her “mamoni,” Supti De Mazumder, a theatre artist. To pursue drama, she moved to Kolkata, joining the Howrah-based group “Natyapritana” while studying at Rabindra Bharati University. After graduating, she acted in leading ETV Bangla TV serials and completed her MA in Drama, specializing in Acting.

Together with Subhendu Bhandari (whom she later married), Rituparna founded the theatre group “Amta Parichay” in Amta village, producing over 22 shows. She also joined the state-supported Minerva Repertory Theatre, starring in Devi Sarpomosta and Podmogokhro, and gained backstage experience under Shri Subodh Patnaik. To date, she has performed in over 25 plays. Inspired by Shri Subodh Patnaik, she and her husband committed to taking theatre to schools and villages. Her solo performances Eladidi and Savitri Bai Phule have reached 590 and 135 shows, respectively. They also established “Gurukul Parichay,” a theatre space and ashram. Last year, she was awarded the Socio Fare Award, Real Life Hero, for her research on “Solo Performance – Economy Theatre Movement in India.”

Rituparna has worked in over 20 plays with various groups, including her own group under Subhendu Bhandari’s direction. She has written eight plays, mostly for children, and directed four, including Thank You Dadaji. She strives to create impactful theatre with minimal resources, making it accessible and engaging for everyone.

About K V Akshara – K.V. Akshara is a director, playwright and writer in the Kannada language. He is the son of the writer K.V. Subbanna. He is a prominent figure in contemporary Kannada theatre. Akshara presently heads Ninasam, the theatre group and cultural complex in Heggodu, Karnataka, founded by his father. He is also the treasurer of “Ninasam” society.