Citygritty 8212; Pune

Well played
Amongst the accolades received by the play Soorya Pahilela Manoos, the latest to come its way is the prestigious award instituted by the Dinanath Smruti Pratishthan, established in the memory of the legendary Master Dinanath Mangeshkar. Produced by the local cultural association Manoranjan and the Mumbai-based Sphurti Theatres, the play reiterating again the histrionic expertise of Dr. Shriram Lagoo in the role of Socrates has been adjudged as the best dramatic presentation for this year. The award was received by Mohan Kulkarni, the convenor of Manoranjan, at a function organised in Nashik on April 24, at the hands of Lata Mangeshkar.

Vocations in the vacation
It8217;s fun to be a kid these days, or so one would think judging by the number of activities they can be involved in. The organisation Trailers of the Future will hold a workshop from May 15 to 21 for children between 10 to 15 at the Balshikshan Mandir, English Medium high school, Mayur Colony.The list of activities include a session in dramatics by playwright Manoj Raizada. On the cultural front Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Syeduddin Dagar will conduct the session on Indian classical music and Dhanashree Karandikar will conduct the Indian classical dance session. For those interested in the green cause Shriram Shinde will talk about environmental awareness. There8217;s also news for those interested in celluloid, a film-making session with cinematographer Pinto Choudhary while actress Swati Thitte will talk about the finer details of acting. There8217;s also some alternative healing and reiki by Gesu Aftab in store for them. Enrollment for the workshop starts on May 12 at the venue.

Stress on celluloid
This is a film festival with a difference. The Poona Psychiatric Association and the Aashay film club has jointly organised a film festival called Sense and Sanity8217; from May 13 to 16 at the National film Archive of India . Shimoga-based Psychiatrist Dr. Ashok Pai has produced these films in Kannada drawing his source from the cases he has come across. Usha kiran to be shown at 9 pm on May 13 is based on the psychological stress faced by a young boy. Aaghat which will be screened at 9 pm the following day follows the case of a traumatised youth while the third Kadina Benaki will follow the sexual problems arising out of a psychological complex. The three films directed by Suresh Hublikar have won national and state awards. A question and answer session will be held on the concluding day when Pai will be present. On May 16 at 3 pm there will be a special screening of Ratra Aarambh, and a discussion with its director, Ajay Phansekar.

On a cricket high
Imagine visiting a la-di-da hotel and not having to worry about whether your clothes are starched or whether you are using the right fork. With the raging cricket fever, Holiday Inn seems willing to discard a few of its unwritten rules. The Carousel Bar which will soon resemble Lord8217;s from May 14 to June 30, will have cricket heroes adorning the walls and larger than life screens telecasting the most happening event of the year, live. And during this period guests are welcome to scream, shout and cheer wildly. To keep with the competitive spirit, the hotel will organise a contest too. Cricket sure does strange things to people, but no one8217;s complaining!