Play by children with special abilities wins big in state theatre festival

Nashik: The children's play 'Shahanpan Dega Deva' (God, bless us with wisdom) presented by Nashik's special school Prabodhini Vidya Mandir, has bagged the only prize for the special category in the final round of the 13th Maharashtra State Theatre Festival. It also won two other awards in the general category.The final round of the festival was held at Mulund. First prize for make-up was awarded to Pramila Palaw, a teacher from the school while the director, Ramesh Wanis, won the third prize for his direction. Navanit Wagh, a specially abled student of this school also won a certificate of appreciation for his acting skills."Four plays from other special schools from Maharashtra were in competition for the prize in the special category. Our students did a fabulous job in the grand finale, winning a certificate for best acting with general students gave us more reason to celebrate," said Manisha Nalge, senior teacher and writer of the play."Our play is a comment on the Chennai floods. It contains the message that human blunders are responsible for these floods. We constructed buildings and bridges and left no way for water to go out. Students conveyed this message very effectively," said Nagle. Prabodhini Trust established in 1977, is an institution for the training, education and rehabilitation of individuals with mental disabilities."Our students participated in the competition with normal students. We are happy that they gave a flawless presentation and won prizes. This is a major confidence booster for ourspecially abled students," said Ramesh Wanis, director of the play. "Yes, these students need some special efforts from the director in order to remember the dialogues and movements. But, with the help of expert teachers and a hard working team, the task was easy for us," he added.Navneet Wagh, who won the state-level certificate for acting, also shared the credit with the entire team."We practised hard for this play. We all are happy to receive this prize," he said. The play had qualified for the finale from Nashik centreDirectorate of Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra State declared results of the final round of Children's theatre Festival on Thursday. Thane-based 'Dnyanadeep Kala Manch' won the first prize while Mumbai's Maharashtra Seva Sangh won the second prize in the contest.Sanskrit play by Lokhitavadi Mandal wins second prizeResults of the 55th State Level Sanskrit Theatre Festival were declared on Friday. Mulund based Maharashtra Seva Sangh won the first prize while Nashik's Lokhitavadi Mandal secured the second prize in the contest. Panwel's DAV Public School won third position. Actress Rupashree Joshi won the certificate of appreciation for acting in this contest.Lokhitavadi Mandal had presented a play 'Adyam Me Chaurayam' written by Mukund Kulkarni. The prize comes as double delight for the group. "The season is going good for us. Our Marathi play won first prize and secured spot in the finale of Marathi theatre festival and now the Sanskrit play also won second prize. The credit goes to the team work and innovative thinking," said Hemand Deshpande, senior member of the team.The Sanskrit theatre festival final round was held in Nashik between December 26 and 31. Shrirang Bapat, Tarangeeni Khot and Anjali Parvate were the judges of this competition.Nashik:Results of the 55th State Level Sanskrit Theatre Festival were declared on Friday. Mulund based Maharashtra Seva Sangh won the first prize while Nashik's Lokhitavadi Mandal secured the second prize in the contest. Panwel's DAV Public School won third position. Actress Rupashree Joshi won the certificate of appreciation for acting."The season is good for us. Our Marathi play won first prize and secured spot in the finale of Marathi theatre festival and now the Sanskrit play also won second prize. The credit goes to the team work and innovative thinking," said Hemand Deshpande, senior member of the team.