– “Mein Huun Yusuf aurYeh Hai Mera Bhai” wins Best Production; bags maximum number of awards
– Acclaimed Theatre personality & NSD Chairman,RatanThiyam presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award
Friday, March 11, 2016: After a weeklong celebration of theatre in the national capital, the 11th Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) concluded with a much awaited red carpet Awards Night, held at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mansingh Road. The annual awards, which recognize excellence in theatre nationally, celebrate the intrinsic diversity and rich cultural traditions of India. The META is India’s most comprehensive award and a premier honour for the theatre fraternity, awarding on-stage and off-stage talent across 14 award categories including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mein Huun Yusuf aurYeh Hai Mera Bhai stole the limelight, bagging 4 awards (Best Direction, Best Production, Best Light Design, Best Sound/Music Design) and a Jury Special Mention for Best Actor in a Lead role (Male).
Noted theatre guru and Chairman of the National School of Drama (NSD) PadmashreeRatanThiyam was conferred the META Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian theatre, presented by Shabana Azmi. The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a prize money of Rs. 5 Lakh.
On receiving the award, RatanThiyam said, “I feel deeply honoured by this prestigious award. It’s a kind of gesture of encouragement for us who are working in the field of theatre. I am happy.”
The 2016 META Jury comprised author KunalBasu, actorKusumHaider, director and actor M.K. Raina, dancer, choreographerTanushree Shankar and actor, directorSushma Seth.
Plays in diverse Indian Languages shone at the META Awards Nights this year with Shantanu Ghosh and Dyuti Ghoshof the Bengali play Haoai – The Eleventh Planetbagging the META for Best Actor in Supporting Role – Male & Female respectively for their portrayals of the shy Polu and the excitable Mrinmoyee.
Best Original Script was won by Kannada play Akshayambhara, with its unique amalgamation of modern theatrical tools and the traditional Yakshagana dance theatre creating a contemporary narrative raising questions on female representation and male ownership. Prasad Cherkady, who playsa male actor in streeveshaasDraupadi in Akshayambhara, won the Best Actor in Lead Role (Male).
SayaleePhatak won the Best Actor in Lead role (Female) for her depiction of the aggressive but troubled Mitra in search for her sexual identity in the play A Friend’s Story, an English adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s brilliant Marathi drama, MitrachiGoshta.
Malayalam play The Balcony was awarded the Best Costume Design for the authenticity of the costumes which transported the audience into the world of the production and Tamil playKuhaimaravasigal bagged the Best Choreography Awardfor the rustic quality of the movements which were well in tune with the symbolism depicted all through the play.
A unique stage adaptation of the 1920’s German silent horror film, The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari,set inside a rundown warehouse space featuring distinctive on-stage elements won Best Stage Design.
The Best Ensemble was presented to 07/07/07 based on the legal battle to save ReyhanehJabbari from the gallows.
The META Awards Night was hosted by KabirBedi and Shivani Wazir. A spate of performances celebrated theatre’s big night and enthralled the audience including Qawalli by the NiaziNizami Brothers, ShabnamVirmani’s spiritual musical journey through an exploration of Kabir’s poetry, a contemporary meets classical dance performance by GouraPrema and the Natya Nectar Dance Company and award-winning actress KalkiKoechlin’s chilling rendition ofher poemThe Printing Machine.
Commenting on the Awards, Jay Shah, Head, Cultural Outreach, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. said, “Every passing year of META strengthens our commitment to theatre. Seeing the astonishing levels of talent in our country and playing a role in bringing this to the nation’s notice fills the Mahindra Group with immense pride and satisfaction. This year was no different – it deepened our admiration for both theatre folks and audience.”
Over the past few days, theatre enthusiasts in the capital were treated with a feast of 10 nominated productions from across the country, which were showcased on the META stage this year. The bevy of topics included contemporary interpretations of mythological texts, prostitution, molestation, false executions, human-like obsession, jealousy, betrayal and search for redemption.
Commenting on META 2016 Sanjoy Roy, Managing Director Teamwork Arts and Producer META, said, “With every passing year META has witnessed trend-setting plays which have reflected the diversity of India and shone a light on the many issues that continue to challenge the world in these times.”
About Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency.
A USD 16.9 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra provides employment opportunities to over 200,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries.
In 2015, Mahindra & Mahindra was recognized as the Best Company for CSR in India in a study by the Economic Times. In 2014, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000, a comprehensive listing of the world’s largest, most powerful public companies, as measured by revenue, profit, assets and market value. The Mahindra Group also received the Financial Times ‘Boldness in Business’ Award in the ‘Emerging Markets’ category in 2013.
Visit us at www.mahindra.com