The Finals of the National Drama Festival in Marathi language was held on Sat. 9 Dec. 2017 at Serge Constantin Theatre Vacoas. The event was a special one as it marked the 40 years of the Marathi Drama Festival (1977-2017). The programme of the day was:
Presentation of First Play – HAA JAWAAYEE by Vitthal Rakhumayi Mandir
Official Opening of a Photo Exhibition
Presentation of Second Play – NAWRAA VIKANEY AAHEY by Chamouny Marathi Stree Mandali
(Interval)
Presentation of Third Play – LAGNA KALLOL by Shivaji Bhosle Youth Club
3 Best plays for the finals were being adjudicated by: Mrs. Luchmee Bye Babajee, Mrs. Geetabye Dhurmea, Mr. Niteen Bappoo. This year’s festival saw participation from 13 groups. Preliminaries were held at Regional level during 21st Nov. till 28th Nov. 2017 at different venues including – Vinayak Mandir Beau Bassin, Serge Constantin Theatre Vacoas and Maratha Mandir Henrietta.
Last years’ (2016) Best Play was Gadbad Gondhal directed by Shirish Rama of Kalakaaranchi Toli.
Synopsis of Haa Jawayee:
Mahadea Marathe, an orthodox head of Marathi Associatoin is very strict concerning cultural values, traditions, rites & rituals of his ancestors. One day his daughters..
Synopsis of Nawraa Vikaney Aahey:
Being fed up with the daily fights with her husband, Deepa decides to get rid of him. She puts an advertisement on facebook, then..
Synopsis of Lagna Kallol:
This Sunday morning, Aai and Archana are very much excited, as a potential groom is coming to see the latter for marriage. They are planning every single detail to impress the boy and his family. However, the family of the groom is insisting on meeting Archana’s father…
The Results for 2017’s Marathi Drama Festival is as follows:
Best Play – HAA JAAWAYEE by Vitthal Rakhumayi Mandir
Second Best Play – NAWRAA VIKANEY AAHEY by Chamouny Marathi Stree Mandali
Third Best Play – LAGNA KALLOL by Shivaji Bhosle Youth Club
Best Actor – Yashwant Dhurmea in the role of Ramsaran in HAA JAAWAYEE
Best Actress – Dishtee Gowrea in the role of Anuja in HAA JAAWAYEE
Second Best Actor – Deebesh Ragoo – Marathi Oopkarenee Sabha Branch No. 2
Second Best Actress – Varshi Bai Appa – Varshi Bye Appa in the role of Aai in LAGNA KALLOL
Best Director – Sonah Dhurmea
Second Best Director – Poonam Seetaram
Best Local Writer – Sonah Dhurmea
Special Prize for the most Promising Young Actor – Sanju Janak Naroo in the role of Dudhwala in Lagna Kallol
Special Prize for the most Promising Young Actress – Prishtee Luximon – Chamouny Marathi Mandir
Special Prize for Actor under 15 years – Gyanesh Deojee – Maratha Mandir
Special Prize for Actress under 15 years – Harshika Bai Raojee – Mont Ida Shree Ganesha Mandir
Special Prize for Beginner Group – Marathi Sahitya Parishad
Best Set Designer –Yashwant Dhurmea for HAA JAAWAYEE
Special Prize to the Best Play staged on the theme “Lame dans Lame” – HAA JAAWAYEE
Press Article displayed in the Photo Exhibition:
The first marathi drama festival started with great enthusiasm and profuse blessings at the Trafalgar Hall. This festival has attracted the concern of the whole Marathi speaking section of the population. The Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation has taken the bright initiative to support the participating clubs. Besides direct financial help, the Federation has issued stickers with inscription “First Marathi Drama Festival” which are sold at Rs. 1.50 each, the proceeds of which will go to the clubs.