Latest news with #UPSangeetNatakAkademi
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Malini Awasthi casts a spell with soul-stirring folk songs
Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel attended a cultural evening featuring renowned folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Sunday. The programme, titled 'Sawan', saw Awasthi giving a soul-stirring performance of traditional folk songs centered around the monsoon season. The performance received widespread appreciation from the audience. Patel expressed her admiration for women artists, noting their confident stage presence. She also referenced the play 'Humare Ram' staged at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University the previous day, emphasizing the importance of character-building lessons from the Ramayana in contemporary society. "The youth should draw inspiration from such characters," the governor stated. The event was attended by writer Padma Shri Dr Vidya Vindu Singh, principal secretary, culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram and Bhatkhande Sanskriti University V-C Mandvi Singh, among other cultural dignitaries.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Daddy' explores complex relationship
1 2 Lucknow: A play 'Daddy' commemorating the birth centenary of Darpan founder Prof Satyamurthy was staged at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) on Friday. An adaptation of Florian Zeller 's French masterpiece 'Le Pere', the play has been adapted and directed by veteran dramatist Suryamohan Kulshreshtha. It features acclaimed actor Anil Rastogi in the lead role. "This collaboration with Rastogi was long overdue, I was searching for a script that would challenge both his acting prowess and my directorial skills," said Kulshreshtha. The narrative centers around a father suffering from dementia and his daughter, exploring their complex relationship. The story delicately balances the daughter's personal aspirations with her responsibilities toward her ailing father. Through its powerful storytelling, the play demonstrates how memory limitations affect the understanding of the world and relationships. The cast also included Shalini Vijay, Ajay Sharma, Puja Singh, Ankita Dixit, Abhishek Singh, Vipin Pratap Rai and Abhishek Pal. Theatre lovers can catch public performances of 'Daddy' on Saturday at 7.30pm at UPSNA.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Suryaputra Mrityunjay' explores many facets of Karna
1 2 Lucknow: The timeless saga of Karna from the epic Mahabharata was brought to life through a compelling theatrical production 'Suryaputra Mrityunjay' at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Saturday. The play, organized by Nisarg, was written and directed by veteran dramatist Lalit Singh Pokhariya, offering a fresh perspective on the complex character of Karna. Moving beyond the well-known narratives of Karna's life — his abandonment by Kunti, rejection by Dronacharya, Parashuram's curse, and his unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana — the production delved into lesser-known aspects of his character. "We aimed at the untold dimensions of Karna's story that often remain in the shadows," said director Pokhariya. The play's narrative reached its pinnacle in depicting Karna's final moments, where he realizes that his extraordinary qualities could have been instrumental in dismantling caste discrimination had he viewed them through a societal production featured stellar performances by a talented ensemble cast including Sangam Bahuguna, Bhanu Shankar Pandey, Anupam Malhotra, Puja Singh, Giriraj Kishore Sharma, Jyoti Singh, Ashutosh Pandey and Amit Dubey.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chanda Bedni: A traditional tale with a social message
1 2 Lucknow: The UP Sangeet Natak Akademi witnessed a captivating performance of the play Chanda Bedni on Wednesday, bringing to life a poignant folk tale that highlighted pressing social issues through traditional art forms. The production, organised by Bhartendu Natya Academy, marked the culmination of a 30-day summer workshop. Written by Vijay Bahadur Srivastava and directed by Neeraj Khushwaha, the play masterfully blended traditional musical instruments—such as the dhol, nakkara, harmonium, and clarinet—with dialogues in the Awadhi language. The story focused on the Bedni tribe of Madhya Pradesh, where women traditionally earn their livelihood through singing and dancing, while the men typically do not work. "Through this production, we aimed to not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nautanki but also promote the Awadhi language while addressing pertinent social issues," said director Khushwaha. The narrative followed the tragic love story of Chanda and Lakhan, whose relationship becomes a casualty of political conspiracies and entrenched casteism. The plot underscored how their pure love was crushed by social hierarchies, with Chanda's identity as a member of the Bedni community emerging as a major barrier. The performance was attended by notable personalities, including Akademi president Rati Shankar Tripathi and director Bipin Kumar.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Kissa kissaon ka': Entertaining choreography, engaging music
A play 'Kissa Kisson Ka' was staged by participants of a month-long workshop at Bhartendu Natya Academy at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Monday. It was written and directed by Walter Peter and was presented in the form of a Nautanki. The play being staged at Bhartendu Natya Academy in Lucknow on Monday (HT Photo) Set in the fictional village of Ram Rahimpur, the play follows the story of Babu Fursat Miyan, who spends his days narrating tales to a group of children. Alongside, a local drama company rehearses mythical stories about kings, magicians, and clever thieves. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a terrorist disguised as a man named Haider arrives in the village, disrupting its peace. More than 50 participants of the theatre workshop were a part of the production, portraying a wide range of characters including villagers, soldiers, performers, and children. Key characters included - Rani (Anya, Avya Singh), Rajkumar (Swastik Mishra Nahar) among others. The production was marked by its vibrant costumes, entertaining choreography, and use of engaging music, all of which added colour and energy to the performance. The play also stood out for its impactful use of lighting and sound, which enhanced the dramatic effect of key scenes. The overall atmosphere remained lively and engaging, making the performance enjoyable for all ages. - with inputs from Sarah Sharma
