In its 37th year, Pune Festival to host cultural extravaganza at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir next week

The 37th edition of the Pune Festival will be held from August 27 to September 6 at venues such as Shri Ganesh Kala-Krida Rangmanch, Bal Gandharva Rangmandir, and Art Gallery. All events are free, ensuring that people get a chance to witness some of the stellar works by esteemed artists.

Mohan Tilloo, coordinator of cultural programmes at Bal Gandharva, said on Wednesday that this year’s line-up includes Lavani performances, musical tributes, plays, poetry gatherings, dance competitions, and programmes for children and youths.

“Among the highlights are Dream Girl, a musical dedicated to Padma Shri Hema Malini, a long-time patron of the festival, on August 28, and a singing competition called Voice of Pune Festival,” said Tilloo.

On August 30, the stage will be set for the classic Hindi-Urdu-Punjabi play about the Partition, Jis Lahore Ne Dekhya, O Jamyai Nai. In the play, written by Asghar Wajahat, a Muslim family from Lucknow turns into refugees in Lahore and is allotted a haveli that used to belong to a Hindu family that has crossed over to the other side of the border. But the haveli is not really empty, and what follows in the play makes the characters as well as the audience think anew about divisions and borders.

Other attractions are the Kerala Mahotsav by the Pune Malayali Federation on August 31, Mukta Barve’s performance in Priya Bhai, Ek Kavita Havi Aahe on September 1, and centenary tributes to legends such as Manik Varma, Srinivas Khale, Madan Mohan, and O P Nayyar on September 3.

“The festival will also feature the Mrs Pune Festival contest, bridal and mythological makeup competition, and Marathi classics such as Sangeet Saubhadra. A unique feature is a gathering of twins,” said Tilloo.

“The Pune Festival invites citizens to be part of this cultural extravaganza. All programmes are open and free,” he added.

(Viraj Mandar Paranjape is an intern with The Indian Express, Pune)