Latest news with #TagoreTheatre
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Neelakuyil' play returns to Kerala capital
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stage adaptation of the iconic Malayalam film Neelakuyil (1954), originally produced under the banner of Chandrathara Productions by T K Pareekutty and jointly directed by Ramu Kariat and P Bhaskaran, is set to be performed at Karthika Thirunal Theatre on May 29. Marking the 70th anniversary of the film and the birth centenary of lyricist P Bhaskaran, the first performance of the play was held at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 29, 2024. 'The upcoming staging, which will begin at 6pm, is a response to appreciation and demand from the audience,' says Ajay Thundathil, Karthika Thirunal Theatre's PRO. The play is directed by filmmaker C V Prem Kumar under the banner of Samam Arts Thiruvananthapuram. The stage adaptation has been done by R S Madhu. Samam Arts, a cultural collective, will be officially inaugurated by veteran actor Raghavan. Actress Maya Vishwanath will be the chief guest. In the play, photojournalist Jithesh Damodhar takes on the role of Sreedharan Mash, originally portrayed by Satyan, while dancer Sithara Balakrishnan brings to life the character of Neeli, originally played by Miss Kumari. Television and theatre actor Sajanachandran will portray the postman character played by Bhaskaran Master in the film. Other cast members include Vanchiyoor Praveenkumar, Rajula Mohan, Manjit, Sreelakshmi, Sankaran Kutty Nair, and Master Kasinathan. For passes, contact: 9847917661 or 9447027033.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
CM to open Kudumbashree's 27th anniversary fete on Saturday
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the 27th anniversary celebrations of the Kudumbashree Mission and give away the Kudumbashree State-level awards in the State capital on Saturday afternoon. The Chief Minister will also make an announcement on providing livelihood to three lakh people as part of the Kudumbashree Livelihood Initiative Transformation (K-LIFT) that had been announced in the 2024 Budget. Minister for Local Self-government M.B. Rajesh will preside over the event, to be held at Tagore Theatre, Vazhuthacaud, at 3 p.m. Green fellowships Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty will inaugurate the distribution of 'green fellowships' being given to children who presented best papers at the Kudumbashree's 'International Children's Summit on Zero Waste Management,' in association with the Udhyam Learning Foundation. Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G.R. Anil will be the chief guest. A video on the model activities that won the Kudumbashree's State-level awards will be screened on the occasion. Shashi Tharoor, MP; Mayor Arya Rajendran; and MLAs V.K. Prasanth and Antony Raju will be present. Kudumbashree executive director H. Dineshan will welcome the gathering.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thousands throng civil defence drive in Chandigarh, job seekers among them
1 2 Chandigarh: A call issued by the UT administration on Friday for civil defence enrolment drew an overwhelming response on Saturday, with over 3,000 people turning up at Tagore Theatre in Sector 18. As the venue quickly exceeded capacity, the crowd spilled onto the roads, prompting police to intervene, call backup and use mild force to manage the situation. Unable to accommodate the rush, authorities opened a parallel site at Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where most were directed to continue registrations and drive, led by the Chandigarh District Administration and supported by the National Disaster Response Force and Fire Department, aims to build a pool of trained civilian volunteers capable of assisting authorities during emergencies — including natural disasters, medical crises, public unrest and evacuation scenarios. Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Tensions Live Updates: India hits back after Pakistan violates ceasefire; Nagrota sentry hurt in brief gunfire Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Drones shot down at multiple places in J&K as Pakistan violates bilateral understanding Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal The effort is meant to strengthen the city's preparedness by creating a reliable network of first responders who can offer immediate assistance before formal services initiative gained unexpected traction after the UT Administration publicised the call for volunteers on Friday. Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, the main venue, was soon overwhelmed by the sheer number of people trying to get in. Police struggled to maintain order, and additional personnel had to be deployed. Eventually, crowds were redirected to Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where orientation activities were expanded to accommodate the situation turned tense at points, with shouting matches at entry gates and political student groups turning up with flags and slogans, adding to the charged atmosphere. However, once proceedings began, the tone grew more the heart of the event was an address by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who invoked the legacy of India's civilian volunteers during the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. "They had no medals, but they had the heart of India beating inside them," he said, urging the youth to become defenders of the nation's spirit in everyday life. "Civil Defence is not just a service. It is an emotion — a vow to stand up when the motherland calls."At Tiranga Urban Park, hundreds took an oath under the tricolour, pledging to serve during emergencies. Officials began the first round of orientation, covering disaster response basics, CPR, evacuation drills and coordination during chaos. Further training will be conducted in batches in the coming days. "Discipline and readiness are crucial during emergencies. I joined this programme because I wanted to share my experience and also learn how civilian response mechanisms work," said Manoj, 49, who works for a private Singh Brar, home secretary, said the programme was voluntary and non-remunerative but critical for Chandigarh's disaster readiness. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said the goal was to train 3,000 citizens as part of a long-term plan. "People's response has been extraordinary. The training will make Chandigarh more resilient," he Voices from the crowd"I am always moving around the city. If someone meets with an accident, people like me can be the first to help. That's why I joined."— Ravi, 28, delivery worker"This training will not only help me serve the community better but also make me more confident as an individual."— Diya, 20, sociology student, Panjab University"We see so many disasters on the news, but we never think we can do something about it. I came because I wanted to be ready — not helpless."— Sukhwinder Singh, 35, electrician"I brought my teenage son with me. I wanted him to see that standing up in difficult times is part of being a citizen."— Meenakshi Verma, 42, teacherBox: Came for jobsAmong the thousands who gathered in Chandigarh's heat, some came with hopes of more than just training. Jagjot Singh, who arrived from Amritsar, said, "They told us something big was happening, maybe a defence job. I brought all my certificates, just in case." Bakshish, 28, from Samrala, added, "I came here thinking it was some kind of government recruitment. Got here and realised it's not a job. Still, the training seemed practical, so I stayed." With inputs from Shivansh Bhan
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Chandigarh invites youth as civil defence volunteers amid safety clampdown
NEW DELHI: In a spirited call to civic responsibility, the Chandigarh Administration has opened its doors to the city's youth, inviting them to become Civil Defence Volunteers and help foster a culture of readiness and resilience. The invitation, issued by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav, carries the tagline: 'Step up, get trained, and serve when it matters most.' Speaking to the newspaper, DC Yadav explained that the programme will consist of one week of intensive training. 'We plan to teach civil defence rules, basic police procedures, relief and rehabilitation work, and methods for raising awareness among residents,' he said. 'Following the training, we will assess who is fit for selection. The chosen volunteers will be deployed across sectors, markets, and nearby villages during this time of conflict. There is no fixed target for numbers, nor any maximum age limit. Female volunteers are welcome.' Interested youth must register at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, on May 10 at 10:30 am. In view of prevailing circumstances, the Administration also directed that all shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, clubs, and non-medical shops remain closed from 7 p.m. on May 9 until 6 a.m. on May 10. To prevent panic caused by loud noises resembling explosions, bursting of firecrackers at wedding celebrations and religious events is prohibited until July 7. Further, petrol pumps, hotels, parks, shops in markets, religious places, ATMs, bus stands, and railway stations have been asked to switch off all external and street lights on Friday. The Chandigarh-Mohali satellite city has imposed a total ban on generators, inverters and any other power backup used for outdoor lighting until further notice.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Solan university students captivate audiences their theatrical production
A Solan based university's vibrant theatre wing showcased their latest theatre production , Naatak Paracetamol—an adaptation of Molière 's iconic comedy - The Doctor in Spite of Himself , captivating audiences at Tagore Theatre recently. Directed by Ankur Bashar , a seasoned theatre practitioner and Assistant Professor of Performing Arts the university, the play is a witty, high-energy satire that pokes fun at blind faith in doctors and the absurdities of societal norms. Naatak Paracetamol follows the comically twisted tale of Sganarelle, a woodcutter who is mistakenly believed to be a doctor. Through a series of outrageous circumstances involving deception, mistaken identity, and social critique, the play unfolds with themes as relevant today as in Molière's time—touching on domestic violence, access to education, and socio-economic divides. 'This year, we chose comedy as a political act . In today's world, the comic is often political and the political, deeply comic. Molière's work continues to mirror the hypocrisies of modern society, making it ideal for a student-led performance that is both engaging and thought-provoking', said Ankur. Backed by a talented ensemble of students, the play featured Samarth Singh Thakur, Abhijit Nair, Dakksh Parekh, Rajat Sharma, Dibansee Rana, Sunidhi Deo, Lakshmi Vasundhara Mamidi, and many more in lively roles. The musical direction was helmed by Abhijit Nair and Lakshmi Vasundhara, with original compositions performed live by student musicians. The creative team included Sunidhi Deo and Ankur Bashar for set design, Ujjwal Kumar on lights, and Khushi Maheshwari as choreographer. The production was managed by Prashant Kumar, with costumes and murals by Shibani.
