Cultural potpourri

Every year,Puneites look forward to November 8 – the birthday of late writer P L Deshpande. For it is on this day,that one of the city’s biggest cultural festivals takes over. Pulotsav,in its eighth edition this year,will be inaugurated with a grand ceremony at Tilak Smarak Mandir on November 8 .

This festival,dedicated to the prolific writer,is being organised by Aashay Sanskrutik and Paranjpe Schemes and it will be held at Tilak Smarak Mandir,National Films Archives of India (NFAI),Pathfinder and Ramanbaug grounds (Narayan Peth) till November 18. This year,eminent poet and lyricist N D Mahanor will be felicitated with the prestigious Pu La Smriti Sanman. This award has previously been given to Girish Karnad,Gulzar,Lata Mangeshkar,Vijaya Mehta and Kishori Amonkar. Virendra Chitrao,organiser of the festival,says,“This award is special as it is given to versatile artistes who bring joy to others through their work. The award includes a citation,trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.”

The other awards include the Krutagyata Sanman,that will be given to Sindhutai Sapkal to honour her exemplary social work; the Vishesh Sanman ‘Zenith Asia’ Award,that will be bestowed upon filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar as part of the Aashay – 25 festival in Pulotsav; and the Tarunai Sanman which will be given to musicians Ajay-Atul.

“In order to mark the start of Aashay Film Club’s 25 th year,the special Aashay – 25 festival will screen 25 evergreen films,” reveals organiser Satish Jakatdar. The festival promises to be a bouquet of films,theatre,music,literature and arts. There will be a book fair,Sahitya Sammelan,audio-visual programmes,cultural programmes and many such events. Jakatdar and Chitrav add,“The fee for the entire festival will be Rs 500,while entry will be free for those who are members of both Aashay Film Club and Sanskrutik.” The entry passes will be available at Pathfinder from November 1.