Citygritty 8212; Pune

Ambition overkill
The efforts of the Chirantan Natya Sanstha in the field of children8217;s theatre have been well appreciated. On the occasion of its 17th anniversary, the organisation opens the curtains on a new play, Gele Khelayache Rahun.As the name suggests, the core of the play is how the high ambitions of parents can make the child suffer. Somewhere in the pursuit of goals and objectives, their childhood often gets lost. That is what Devdatta Pathak, the man behind the play, wants to tell. Aiding him in this project are Tushar Paranjape, Sukhada Dastane, Prajakta Kulkarni and Sucheta Mehetre. The play is also the culmination of the work of 40 teenagers, and will be staged on June 28 at the Bharat Natya Mandir. Good show, people!

On a high note
Years ago, drugs were synonymous with music in the West, primarily because most pop stars were addicts. This, in a way, glamorised drug addiction. Since then, several pop idols have come clean and admitted to the ill-effects of addictions. In a bid to continue with this commendable effort, the United Nations Drug Control Programme this year announced awareness of addictions through music8217; as its theme.

The Muktangan De-addiction Centre, on its part, has adopted this in its awareness program. The result? A music cassette on addictions, that will soon be available in the city. Says Dr. Anil Awchat, director, Muktangan, 8220;People use alcohol and drugs as a means of escape, for pleasure or to get a high. We feel that music has all these qualities. It can provide tranquillity, joy and be an alternative high8217;. The cassette includes various forms of folk music like povada, phatka, ovi and mantra.8221; They have even roped in noted Hindustani classical singer Sanjeev Abhyankar, who performed at Muktangan on June 26, as part of the Anti-Narcotics Day celebrations. The next time you feel like a drink, don8217;t. Sing instead.