See saw: Now Playing: Anton Chekhov in Delhi

It seldom happens that works of noted international playwrights such as Anton Chekhov and David Horsburgh are staged together with the works of Indian dramatists. But the ongoing theatre festival,Hriday Manch,does just that. With four plays from different genres,the festival — presented by Sparsh Natya Rang — opened on Thursday with the comedy Saanch ko na Aanch,adapted from Horsburgh’s The Ungrateful Man. The Proposal (based on Chekhov’s work by the same name) was showcased on Friday. Lined up for today is the Bengali play Noti Binodini,which revolves around three individuals — a spiritual guru,a common man and a courtesan — and their transformation from atheists to believers. Up on Sunday is An Actor’s Work,based on Chekhov’s Swan Song. The plays are being staged at LTG Auditorium,Mandi House,7 pm. Contact: 9810286707.

Pen Pal

Celebrated Japanese nib maker Yukio Nagahara was in the Capital on Friday,repairing nibs of all kinds — old and new — at an event held at Select CityWalk in Saket. Clients had specially flown in from places as far as in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka,after prior appointments,to get the nibs of their pens repaired. “Nib making is in my genes. I have learnt the techniques and skills from my father,” said the 51-year-old,who has been doing this for 12 years now. Nagahara added that he has repaired nearly 20,000 pens so far,around the world. This is the nib maker’s second visit to India after he held a pen clinic here in 2010. One of the visitors from Bengaluru,after getting his pens repaired,said,“He is truly like a magician.”