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Tull and pull of gay romance to be part of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards.

A scene from Still and Still Moving.

Two plays that explore the tug and pull of gay romance in a society uneasy with homosexuality will be a part of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META). Delhi-based Neel Chaudhuri of Tadpole Repertory wove his experiences of travelling by the Metro into a story of a young student Adil and the older, suave Partho in Still and Still Moving. The men come closer and fall apart even as the Metro expands across the city, bringing its different parts — from the migrants to the college students — into close proximity. This is Tadpole’s first time at META and Chaudhuri sounds both honoured and uncomfortable.

“I am looking forward to it because a festival brings a completely different audience but, like many people, the idea of a competition makes me uncomfortable. How can you compare plays when they come from different contexts?” he says.

One of the plays he will be pitted against is Delhi director Happy Ranajit’s A Straight Proposal, a story of a male teacher in search of love. As the protagonist travels the arc, from anticipation to heartbreak, Ranajit adds layers in the form of the history of the LGBT movement from across the world. Incidentally, Ranajit had won the Best Actor at META in 2010.

The shortlist of 10 plays includes three from the Northeast, among them an Assamese adaptation of Earnest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea titled Dhou… The Wave. Mumbai will be represented by writer-activist Sushma Deshpande, who has adapted the autobiography of Marathi writer Urmila Pawar, Aaydan, into a play of the same name and turned the spotlight on Dalit and gender issues in the country. The other name from Maximum City is Sanjukta Wagh, whose dance theatre Rage and Beyond brings alive the struggle of an artiste trying to recreate a mythological heroine .

The festival will be between March 21 and 26, with the awards being announced on March 27 in Delhi.

 

Curated For You

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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