Date:07/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090706420200.htm

New Delhi

Honouring the best in Indian theatre

Madhur Tankha

ON THE JURY: Sharmila Tagore, member of Mahindra Excellence Theatre Awards 2007 grand jury, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI: To recognise and reward the best in Indian theatre, the Mahindra Group on Wednesday announced that the Second Annual Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) function would be held here on March 10 next year.

This year the annual theatre awards that are intended to encourage all aspects of theatre craft such as playwriting, sets, costume, light design, direction and performance have an enhanced scope with invitations being extended to productions in regional languages. Last year, the awards were given only to English and Hindi theatre productions.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Central Board of Film Certification Chairperson Sharmila Tagore said she had been involved with acting and cricket -- the country's two biggest passions -- for the past 40 years. "Now it gives me great pleasure to lend support to theatre. Although I have never taken part in professional theatre, I have always been interested in it. In Mumbai I watch various plays, including those from Prithvi Theatre. This year I have agreed to be a part of the META 2007 grand jury as the awards are extending support to Indian theatre. At META, there will be many awards, including cash ones."

Stating that art transcends all barriers, Ms. Tagore said she was happy that now regional theatre productions had also been included in the award category.

On March 5 next year, elected finalists will stage their productions at the Capital's Kamani Hall and Shriram Centre. Plays from Orissa, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and also tribal theatre will be considered.

Noting that theatre had seen a lot of blood, sweat and tears, META Creative Director Ravi Dubey said: "From my teenage years it has been my dream to get financial support from corporate houses for theatre. All these years we have struggled to finance and produce plays. We have run from pillar to post to keep theatre alive. The objective is not just to have the META awards every year but to ultimately set up an academy for excellence in theatre that could provide classes, training, studio and rehearsal places to promote and encourage this art form. The intention is to promote plays in all Indian languages, including tribal theatre." Stating that he wanted to see internationalisation of Indian theatre, Mr. Dubey said: "I want people who sing praise about Broadway theatre to be as passionate about Indian theatre. We also hope to have exchange programmes with international theatre institutions across the world."