Citygritty — Pune

Martial artOne art form incorporated in another! Anand Lonkar is a young executive working with the American Express, and pursues art as ...

Martial art
One art form incorporated in another! Anand Lonkar is a young executive working with the American Express, and pursues art as a hobby. He also practises martial art and has combined the two together in an art exhibition at the Khusboo Art Gallery, Sterling Centre, till August 10, daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 6.30 to 9 pm. His small works depict figures performing the art in black, white and gray. He has also priced them reasonably since he feels art should be available to everyone. Obviously a person who pursues his hobby with feeling.

Auto-matic for the people
The Gauri Ranade Memorial Trust and the Rotary Club, Poona South, successfully conducted a workshop for auto-rickshaw drivers for their mental, physical and vehicle fitness on July 26. Seventy rickshaw drivers were invited to the workshop at the Muktangan English School, where five doctors – Sudhir Kale (eye surgeon), Anand Kelkar (orthopaedic surgeon), Sharad Akhegaonkar (psychiatrist), Bipin Deshpande (skin specialist) and Nitin Unkule (yoga and meditation) advised them on the importance of mental fitness, body fitness and accident-free driving.

Leading technicians from the auto industry also spoke to them about vehicle fitness and maintenance. The 70 rickshaws parked on the ground were given free servicing by Bajaj Auto Ltd and engine oil was provided free of cost by Veedol India. This was the first experiment of its kind, and received a tremendous response from the automen. A drive with a difference!

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Forgotten women
So fixed are we on plays written by reputed playwrights that scripts by a whole generation of upcoming talent take a backseat and go unnoticed. But even in these corridors of amateur theatre, you get to see plays that make for engrossing viewing – like Udya Saathi and Gol Peetha, held in the city recently.

Udya Saathi (For Tomorrow), performed by Sneh Pune Production, has won awards at the Kamgar Natya competition. Just when you thought that the dust had settled over the Jalgaon sex scandal, you come across this play written by Yogesh Soman. Jui (Madhavi Soman), the victim of a gang rape, is passing through a turbulent phase where she is condemned by a society that challenges her need to live. The play explores her trauma and how she grapples with the culprits even in the face of humiliating court sessions.

Gol Peetha, by Suyog, Mumbai, a prize-winner during the Rajya Natya Spardha, and written by Suresh Chikhale, boldly handles the controversial topic of prostitution. It is a candid portrayal of a prostitute’s life, the personal tragedy that forces her into prostitution, her needs and aspirations. Considering that all the artistes are amateurs, the performances are realistic and sensitive. The brilliant sets and lighting by Sunil Devlekar and Suresh Deshmukh help create the right atmosphere. A play worth watching.