The eighth Theatre Olympics celebrated a long and successful run with cultural performances and eminent alumni of NSD
Around 2,000 young theatre workers from all over India converged at the premises of the National School of Drama for the closing ceremony of Advitiya, organised by the students’ union of NSD. Advitiya is a youth forum under which the dramatic societies of colleges presented street plays on a wide array of topics and theatre-loving youth participated in short play writing. In addition to over 50 colleges in Delhi, the segment witnessed around 150 performances all over India.
And these were a part of the world’s largest theatre festival, the eighth Theatre Olympics which was held in the country for the very first time. With diverse range of dramatic forms and plays, the festival explored the roots of Indian theatre.
Renowned actor, lyricist, singer and NSD alumnus Swanand Kirkire was the chief guest and acclaimed actor and NSD alumni Pankaj Tripathi, Adil Hussain, actor Rasika Dugal and joint secretary, Ministry of Culture, M l Srivastava were the guests of honour at the ceremony. Director, NSD Waman Kendre also attended the ceremony.
“Theatre is a glorious platform which connects the youth with art and it should thrive in every city. I started my career with Waman Kendre’s production. It is an honour to be here,” said Swanand Kirkire during the closing ceremony.
“The contribution of the audience, all the young artists, legendary theatre performers and eminent critics towards this Theatre Olympics is Advitiya,” said Director, National School of Drama, Prof Waman Kendre.
“I have been to different cities as part of the Theatre Olympics and have seen the enthusiasm of the youth towards this mega festival. I would like to congratulate the organising committee for its success,” said joint secretary, Ministry of Culture, M l Srivastava.
“I feel overwhelmed to be here at NSD campus. It is where I started my career, it is this place which has given me everything. I always thought what is the need of an artist in our societyIJ While working as an actor I realised, art is like nutrition to society. It saves the society from dying,” said acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi.
Actor Adil Hussain emphasised upon the role of art in everyday living. “I do not like the word tolerance. Today, we say we are a tolerant society, which literally means that we are somehow surviving with each other. I believe we should not be tolerant, rather we should be harmonious. Art is the adhesive for a harmonious society,” said Hussain.
“It is an absolute honour to be here at NSD. When I was in college, I aspired to be a student at NSD but since this is a place for the best of talent, I never had the guts to apply. And today being here feels so nice,” said actor Rasika Dugal.
The names of the three winners of the short play writing for youth up to the age of 35 were announced during the event. The first prize of Rs 1 lakh went to Vidya V Rao of Bangalore for her English play Mughal saga through their eyes while Nitish Dubey from Bhopal won the second prize of Rs 50,000 for his Hindi play Chandralok. The third prize of Rs 25,000 went to Ipsita Kundu, a first year student at the National School of Drama, Kolkata for her Bengali play An Ordinary love Story. A three-member jury comprising Asghar Wajahat, Prof Tripurari Sharma, and Manohar Khushalani judged the winners of short play writing.
A prize of Rs 25,000 for Be A Reporter went to Satyam from Patna judged by a two-member panel comprising Prof Amitesh Grover and journalist Amitesh Kumar. The 52 colleges of Delhi University who presented street plays during the eighth Theatre Olympics were awarded a certificate and an appreciation amount of Rs 5,000 during the event.
A colourful and musical parade marched from Mandi House metro station to the NSD campus. Presenting folk music and dance, Dandiya performers from Gujarat and folk artists from Haryana and Odisha displayed their lavish cultural heritage. The first, second and third year students of NSD performed folk and classical dance as well as a theatre band with self-written and composed songs.