Don't depict negativities in plays, cautions President Patil

Pune, Jan 19 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil today cautioned theatre personalities to refrain from depicting negativities and putting people on the wrong path.

The President was speaking after inaugurating the 33rd Akhil Bharatiya Natya Sammelan here this evening.

In her address, Mrs Patil said ''Drama should be seen as a powerful weapon to address social problems and bring about positive changes and transformation in society as people were still keen to watch theatre.'' She said highlighting perversity could send wrong signals in society, and appealed to the theatre community to work for the upliftment of society.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh promised to extend housing schemes for artistes from the chief minister's quota.

He also promised to set up a hospital at Bandra, a suburb in Mumbai, for theatre artistes. A demand for which was made by president of the Natya Sammelan noted Marathi actor Ramesh Deo.

Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced Rs 25 lakh for a state-of-the-art experimental theatre.

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