Two plays mark Phule8217;s centenary

VADODARA, Oct 12: Theatre artiste and journalist Sushma Deshpande staged two shows of her Hindi play Han, Main Savitribai, at Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Gruh on Sunday, under the aegis of Sahiyar and the Shantivan Walimandal Trust, to mark the centenary of reformist Savitribai Phule.

Talking to newspersons, Deshpande, also a social activist, expressed concern at the absence of media like theatre in several states. 8220;Probably this is the reason why the message of women8217;s activism is not spreading fast there,8221; she commented.

8220;The atmosphere for theatre and the women activism in West Bengal and Maharashtra is quite encouraging8221;, she said, attributing it to the rich history of art, culture, reforms and theatre in the two states. An established actress, Deshpande also expressed concern over the lack of enthusiasm for theatre among artistes, who, she said, were being drawn to the electronic media.