As the fifth edition of Pratibimba Marathi Natya Utsav concluded at the NCPA, Prof Dr Avinash Kolhe reflects on four days of plays, poetry, workshops and conversations celebrating the rich, progressive and evolving tradition of Marathi theatre.

The fifth edition of Pratibimba Marathi Natya Utsav at the NCPA concluded on 3rd May after four vibrant days of theatre, poetry, workshops and performances. In this piece, Prof Dr Avinash Kolhe revisits the festival’s celebration of Marathi theatre through contemporary productions, literary explorations and experimental storytelling, highlighting why Pratibimba has become an important cultural platform for emerging and established voices alike.

To encourage young talent in Marathi theatre, the NCPA once again organized its annual ‘Pratibimba Marathi Natya Utsav’, which this year was held from 30th April to 3rd May. This four-day festival was not just about staging plays, but a mélange of performances, readings, workshops, talks and discussions with important personalities from Marathi theatre. This marked the fifth edition of Pratibimba.

Pratibimba means reflection, and in this context it reflected the rich and vibrant tradition of Marathi theatre. At a macro, pan-Indian level, Marathi theatre has always been progressive and bold, staging daring, challenging and relevant themes. This year’s edition of Pratibimba was no exception. The festival featured an impressive line-up of contemporary and classical plays, with events held at the Experimental Theatre, Tata Theatre and the JBT Museum.

Bruce Guthrie, who heads the Theatre and Films section at the NCPA, has often emphasized the importance of Pratibimba. For him, it has become an important fixture in the NCPA’s theatre calendar. This year carried added significance as the festival coincided with Maharashtra Day on 1st May.

By now, Pratibimba has carved a niche for itself and become a much-loved platform that welcomes both emerging voices and established practitioners. What makes the festival even more inclusive is that many Marathi productions are presented with English subtitles for non-Marathi audiences.

The festival opened on 30th April with ‘Barad’, an award-winning play depicting familial life in a rural setting. The production had already earned several accolades, including the Zee Natya Gaurav Award 2026.

Celebrating Literature and Contemporary Expression

The second day, 1st May, featured multiple forms of artistic expression. ‘Page to Stage’, a reading celebrating Maharashtra’s rich literary tradition, began at 5 pm at the Experimental Theatre. Later, at 7 pm, the action shifted to the Tata Theatre for ‘Normal Day with Danny Pandit’, a high-energy sketch comedy performance that uniquely brought digital characters to life on stage.
Many engaging events were scheduled on 2nd May, including the Writer’s Lab conducted by Prajakta Deshmukh, who discussed the journey from “idea to stage”. At 4:30 pm, the Experimental Theatre staged ‘Are Sansar Sansar’, a performance based on the poetry of Bahinabai Chaudhary (1880–1951).

The final show of the day at the Tata Theatre was ‘Lagna Panchami’, a play exploring contemporary themes such as relationships, companionship and the complexities of modern marriage.

A Memorable Closing Day

The concluding day, 3rd May, began with a Body Movement Workshop conducted by Abhay Mahajan at the JBT Museum from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. This was followed by the experimental play ‘Mag Tu Mala Kha’ (“Then You Eat Me”) at 3 pm, which explored the tension between digital identity and body image.

The festival then presented ‘Kavitecha Pan Live’, an interactive reimagining of Marathi poetry. The final event of the festival was ‘Karunashtake’, a popular Marathi play staged at the Tata Theatre at 7:15 pm, bringing the curtains down on yet another memorable edition of Pratibimba.
Rajeshri Shinde, Festival Producer – Theatre & Films, NCPA, said, “Pratibimba Marathi Natya Utsav is a festival that brings us together through stories, emotions, and the timeless spirit of Marathi theatre. Our vision is to nurture a community that transcends age, background and boundaries — a community of thinkers, art lovers and seekers who find meaning in storytelling.”
The festival was supported by Shilpa Kumar.

Festival Diaries, Cultural Gatherings, Stories From The Festival, Celebrating Art, Festival Circuit, Live From The Festival, Creative Exchange, Art In Public Spaces, Festival Reflections,