The Chaturang Natya Mahotsav, a festival of dramas, will present four plays, in three languages over the weekend of August 25 and 26 at the Kala Academy complex. ‘Swastik’, an organisation committed to art, culture and music will showcase best of the stage productions during a stage fiesta dedicated to noted Goan stage artiste, Master Dattaram Volvoikar.

Mr Pravin Gaonkar of ‘Swastik’ informed that the festival of dramas will offer a rare opportunity so that connoisseurs of quality stage productions can enjoy the latest and best dramas on the national circuit. He further added that the English play, ‘All about Women’; Hindi plays, ‘Krishan V/s Kanhaiya’ and ‘Chanakya’; and a Marathi play, ‘Alibaba ani Chalishitle Chor’ would be staged at the festival.
‘All About Women’ is the stage production that has well-known light designer and actor, Hidaayat Sami making his directorial debut. The production is a translation of the original Croatian play by Miro Gavran and has an unusual structure in which five stories - all about women - alternate and interweave. One story concerns two sisters who are at loggerheads because of the man they both love and the question lingering throughout about their mother. The second story is also about two women who are exceptionally close until their relationship undergoes a crisis when a third woman comes into their lives. The other three stories are about secretaries working for the same firm, three little girls going to kindergarten together and old ladies living in a retirement home.
‘Krishan V/s Kanhaiya’ starring Paresh Rawal in the lead role is directed by Umesh Shukla and narrates the story of a small time street smart conman and antique dealer, Kishan. He is an atheist married to a very religious woman. There is always an argument about religion in the house. Hilarious situations are stirred due to this conflict. Suddenly, a dramatic event occurs in his life which changes his outlook and leads him to question the very existence of God or ‘Kanhaiya’. The play is about an atheist’s battle with God.
‘Chanakya’ is a very popular 20-year-old play based on the life and times of the greatest statesman and a political strategist this country has ever produced. The well-known film and stage actor, Manoj Joshi, who plays the title role as well as directs the play, depicts the single-handed effort of one man to create a gigantic force called Bharat. ‘Chanakya’ was originally written in Gujarati and later translated into Hindi so that it could reach the masses, spreading the underlying message of national unity.
A Marathi experimental farce, ‘Alibaba ani Chalishitle Chor’ is directed by Vivek Bele who had earlier directed popular plays like 'Makdachya Hati Champagne' and 'Katkon Trikon'.
The Chaturang Natya Mahotsav to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar will open with ‘Krishan V/s Kanhaiya’ on August 25 at 6 pm. ‘Chanakya’ will be performed on August 26, at 10 am, while ‘Alibaba ani Chalishitle Chor’ will have its show at 3 pm on the same day. The last play at the festival, ‘All about Women’ will be performed at 7 pm on August 26.
(The tickets are available at the Kala Academy counter.)