Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
Three First-Ever Events in the Theatre World
March 3, Mumbai: A proud witness to Maharashtra’s glorious cultural heritage, Ravindra Natya Mandir has now taken on a new form to welcome art lovers. On March 2, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar inaugurated the new complex of P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy. With this transformation, a new chapter has been added to theatre history with three first-ever events.
For the First Time! P. L. Deshpande’s ‘Vyakti and Valli’ in Bengali
In the words of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, P. L. Deshpande is Maharashtra’s Happiness Index. His vast literary works should not remain confined to Marathi alone but should reach other languages as well. Taking this initiative forward, for the first time, a Bengali play based on P. L. Deshpande’s popular book ‘Vyakti Ani Valli’ was performed at Ravindra Natya Mandir on March 3 by Roopangan Foundation. The play, titled ‘Amar Dekha Kichu Namuna’, marked this unique milestone.
P. L. Deshpande considered Rabindranath Tagore his guru, making this first-of-its-kind experiment a special tribute to him. Along with this, Parth Theatres, Mumbai, staged ‘Mad Sakharam’, a play written by P. L. Deshpande. These two productions concluded the P. L. Deshpande Kala Mahotsav at Ravindra Natya Mandir.
First Theatre with a Dolby Atmos Sound System
Bringing a historic transformation to Indian theatre, Ravindra Natya Mandir’s Mini Theatre has now become Maharashtra’s first theatre equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system. This initiative aims to promote Marathi cinema by offering daily screenings of Marathi films at highly affordable rates.
Additionally, an Open-Air Theatre (‘Khule Natyagriha’) has been set up in the academy premises in South-Central Mumbai, providing a free stage for experimental and emerging artists. To encourage new talent, the academy has introduced the ‘Pul Katta’ initiative. Along with this, new facilities such as a conference hall, nano auditorium, audio-visual studio, chroma studio, and editing suites have been developed.
For the First Time! A Historic Integration of Theatre and Performing Arts Education
Ravindra Natya Mandir is no longer just a venue for performances—it is now becoming a new hub for performing arts education! In collaboration with the state and central governments, 20 new academic courses are being introduced here for the first time.
These courses will provide official certifications in performing arts, offering students career opportunities in theatre and the entertainment industry. This historic initiative will establish Ravindra Natya Mandir not just as a space for theatre performances but also as a center for nurturing artists! The new courses will equip aspiring performers with industry-relevant skills and open new avenues for employment in the entertainment sector.