Pune: The Maharashtra State Amateur Marathi Drama Competition, organized by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, is one of the most prestigious platforms for theater artists. While the competition sees participation from many veteran and experienced theater professionals, this year, a college team from Pune made a significant impact by winning multiple awards at the state level.
The team from Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Shankarrao Chavan Law College participated in the competition with their play "Moon Without Sky" and secured:
Second place at the state level
A cash prize of ₹4 lakh, a certificate of appreciation, and a memento
Five individual awards in various categories
Individual Awards Won by the Team
Along with the team award, the play received recognition for individual excellence as well:
Mukul Dhekale won second prize for direction
Nikhil Marne won first prize for lighting design
Sumit Shelar won first prize for stage design
Pranav Sapkale and Mansi Gosavi won first prize for acting, earning the prestigious Silver Medal for Best Acting
Play’s Theme and Storyline
The play "Moon Without Sky", written by Prajakt Deshmukh, is set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany and highlights the sufferings of Jews under Hitler’s rule. The story unfolds inside a railway compartment filled with passengers being transported to a concentration camp. It explores the dark fate that awaits them and the inner conflicts that emerge due to the turmoil in the outside world.
Mukul Dhekale, Director of ‘Moon Without Sky’ emphasized that the play showcases how middle-class citizens often suffer the most during major political and social upheavals.
"The State Drama Competition features many experienced artists, so we were initially unsure if we could compete at that level. However, winning the Pune divisional finals boosted our confidence. With that energy, we delivered a strong performance in the final round. We are doing theater because we have something to say," he added.