‘Theatre, filmmaking to be given industry status’
| Date :28-Apr-2025 |
Uday Samant addressing the audience at the concluding ceremony of the 100th
Vibhagiya Natya Sammelan. Ajay Patil, Naresh Gadekar, Dr Jabbar Patel and other
dignitaries also are seen. (Pic by Anil Futane)
Staff Reporter :
The 100th Natya Sammelan concludes, ‘Natya Ghanta’ and Nataraj Idol handed over to Ratnagiri branch
In a significant announcement, Uday Samant, Minister of Industry and Trustee of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, declared that Bollywood, Mollywood, Tollywood, and the Marathi theatre sector would soon be granted industry status to ensure employment opportunities. The official declaration will be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Maharashtra Day, May 1, he added. Samant was speaking at the concluding ceremony of the 100th Vibhagiya Natya Sammelan of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad. Convention President Dr Jabbar Patel, Vice-President of the Central Committee Naresh Gadekar, President of the Nagpur Branch Ajay Patil, Sanjay Rahate, along with presidents of various branches and central office-bearers shared the dais on the occasion.
Uday Samant praised the Nagpur Branch for the excellent organisation of the centenary convention and offered several suggestions. He emphasised that simply granting a status does not make the Marathi language ‘classical’; the efforts of theatre artists, writers, and directors contribute significantly to its classical stature. He urged that the work and plays of these creators should be revived for the younger generation, preserving this valuable cultural heritage. He further appealed to the Natya Parishad to take the initiative in providing employment and welfare initiatives for artists and technicians in the theatre and film sectors.
During the event, Convention President Dr Jabbar Patel, in his presidential address, suggested that the Nagpur Branch officials should advocate for the establishment of small theatres and necessary infrastructure across the State. He also commended the Nagpur Branch for the splendid organisation of the centenary convention.
In his introductory speech, Naresh Gadekar expressed his satisfaction at successfully fulfilling the long-cherished desire to host the centenary convention and hoped it would spark a new wave of enthusiasm within the theatre community.
Senior theatre personalities including Madhu Joshi, Prabhakar Ambone, Shraddha Telang, Bapu Chanakhekar, Shobha Jogdev, Dr Ranjan Darvekar, Dr Vijay Vaidya, Suresh Ghadyalpatil, Prakash Edalabadkar, Vijay Jathe, Sanjay Walivkar, Vatsala Polkamwar, Dayanand Chandanwale, Meena Deshpande, and Sachin Kumbhare were felicitated by Uday Samant. Additionally, winners of the Late Ganesh Naidu Memorial Art Competition – Vaman Tulsakar, Rukmini Dixit, and Tushar Raut – were also honoured.
The programme was compered by actress Bhargavi Chirmule, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Ajay Patil.
Marathi theatre is the mirror of society: Nitin Gadkari
Staff Reporter
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, through an audio-visual message from Arunachal Pradesh, stated that Marathi theatre culture is a source of inspiration for all. He observed that over the past hundred years, Marathi theatre has left an indelible impression on the hearts of the Marathi people, and continues to do so today, remarking that Marathi theatre truly serves as the mirror of society.