Activists favour change in labour board theatre contest

Nashik: The 64th Theatre Festival of Maharashtra State Labour Welfare Board was inaugurated by Ravindra Kadam, president of Nashik chapter of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, on Monday. The competition has got 12 entries from different labour organisations.
Theatre activists including Kadam, who follow this festival for the past many years, said time has come to change the format of the festival and make it more inclusive and public-oriented.
“From the last 64 years, Kamgar Natya Spardha is popular amongst labour organisations. The contribution of this theatre activity is immense in keeping the amateur theatre alive in Maharashtra. However, it’s high time to introduce some changes in the age-old format of the contest,” said Kadam.
“Currently, labour organisations having at least 75% actors and technicians from professional and industrial labour category could participate in this festival. Other 25% come from amateur and professional theatre. We need to bring this ratio up to 50:50. This will increase the participation from amateur theatre, youths and will make the festival more inclusive and people-friendly,” he added.
Labour welfare commissioner Gulabrao Dabhade also supported the move. “We need to introduce new plays and need to bring young generation towards this theatre festival. Labour board is positive for introducing the changes,” he said.
The festival started with play ‘Rakheli’, presented by Kamgar Kalyan Kendra of Deolali Gaon. On Wednesday, Kamgar Kalyan Kendra from Nashik’s Budhwar Peth will present ‘Nishastra Yoddha’, a play written and directed by Rohit Pagare. The last play of the competition will be staged at January 19 and the prize distribution function is scheduled for January 20.