Prithvi Theatre Festival gets underway

New Delhi, Dec 2 (UNI) Commemorating the birth centenary of the late Prithviraj Kapoor, Prithvi Theatre Festival kicked off here today with the customary colour and verve which the cinema thespian was known for.

The festival got underway with 'Malabh and Ram Prahar' by Samanvay theatre group, based on columns written by Vijay Tendulkar representing the post-1991 times of the Babri Masjid demolition and subsequent Mumbai blasts.

The play revolves around the blind faith, human dilemmas and emotions whipped up by the so-called leaders of society, capable of exploiting anything from emotions to religion to the hilt for their vested interests.

Later in the day, 'Mahadevbhai', a lively account based on the diary maintained by Gandhiji's secretary, Mahadev Desai, will be staged. It will be followed by 'Shambuk Vadh', a radical and entertaining retelling of a little-known tale from the Ramayana.

This year the theme for the two-day festival is 'Kala Desh Ki Seva Mein'. The gala event will showcase six performances by theatre groups form all across the country.

Today, when Bollywood ventures like 'Dhoom' and 'Krissh' rule the turnstile and hearts of the masses alike, the works of Prithvi Theatre come as a breath of fresh air for doing some commendable work to retain the essence of performing arts.

Established in the year 1978 in Bombay by Sashi Kapoor to fulfil the dreams his father Prithviraj Kapoor, 'Prithvi Theatre', now managed by his granddaughter Sanjana Kapoor, is a name to reckon with. Providing a platform to many diverse art forms and talents, it has withstood the rough and tumble of time.

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