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If you’re missing the high-octane energy of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav,here comes the Natsamrat Natya Utsav,with a line-up of some very popular productions from the Delhi stage.

If you’re missing the high-octane energy of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav,here comes the Natsamrat Natya Utsav,with a line-up of some very popular productions from the Delhi stage.

The festival,which turns five this year,brings together 12 directors,from Natsamrat’s own Fareed Ahmed to Arvind Gaur of Asmita Theatre Group to Satya Prakash of the LTG Repertory Company. “Many Delhi groups battle fund crunch and other problems to keep the show going,and they converge at the Natsamrat Theatre Festival to perform on one platform,” says Shyam Kumar,organizer of the festival.

Of the 13 plays that will be staged over nine days,around eight are comedies. The ribticklers include Chandu ki Chachi about two friends,their girlfriends and a millionaire aunt,LTG Repertory Company’s Bure Phanse (see picture) which takes a hilarious look at a police officer for whom everything starts going wrong,and several others.

Some plays take a long,hard look at the world as well. Swamiji stresses on the true meaning of religion while socio-political conflict comes under the scanner in Supna ka Sapna,by Group Vivechana,the only troupe from outside Delhi.

As a first,the festival is starting the Delhi Natsamrat Theatre Awards — the only such non-government award system for the city. Apart from the Best Director and Actors,the award will recognize backstage excellence.

The festival will be held from January 24 to February 1
Contact: 9811232072

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Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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