A platform to perform

It was way back in 1962, that a group of friends would meet to chat and discuss their common passion - theatre. With the demise of Pursho...

It was way back in 1962, that a group of friends would meet to chat and discuss their common passion 8211; theatre. With the demise of Purshottam Ramchandra Vaze alias Appasaheb Vaze, one of the founder members of their organisation, Maharashtria Kalopasak, a vacuum was created. To commemorate his death anniversary, they decided to start one-act play competition at college level as at that time it was present only as an amateur school activity, called the Purshottam Karandak competition.

According to Madhu Joshi, one of the founder members, the main thrust in holding this competition, is to give the stage to collegians to display their theatrical talent. They provide a few lights spots, free make-up and basic props that required on stage, with a nominal fee. Certain rules and regulations are laid down which are strictly adhered to. Surprisingly the colleges abide by them, as participation in this competition is considered as a hallmark in their theatrical encounter.

Not surprisingly then, this is considered as a hunting ground for talent. Many stalwarts and who8217;s who of theatre have had a tryst here and launched to stardom. Jabbar Patel, Satish Alekar, Mohan Agashe, Mohan Gokhale, Sonali Kulkarni are just a few names whose career started from here. Comedies, social issues, melodramas, tragedies, classics, musicals, absurd theatre have all been seen here.

These competitions are generally scheduled for the month of August being the first theatrical activity of the academic year. The students start their preparation well in advance. Searching for good scripts, permissions for staging it, cast selection, rehearsals takes a sizable time, till the dates are finalised.

Though Kalopasak allots tickets for the competition to each participating college, still a lot of chaos is created. All in all, it is the high time in a collegian8217;s life with much fanfare like traditional dresses, bands, dhols to add colour to the event. But still there is no outward hooliganism and the obsessive devotion of the students to this pure and interactive art of theatre is evident and commendable. Many trophies, prizes and cash-awards are there to be picked up. This year the eliminations are to be held from August 13 to 25 and the finals in the second week of September.