Jairangam 2020: India's Biggest Theatre Festival !!

 With COVID-19 we found a new kind of theatrical challenge for ourselves. It's going to be a long time before we're back doing live theatre at full capacity. Having been selected to present our short play at 'JAIRANGAM', has been an exciting experience for team Mandi.

We presented pre-recorded theatrical production- 'Kitab Likhne Ka Bhoot', which was  enjoyed by all and gained great popularity.

       A tribute to the memory of Amrita Pritam - her life journey, her words and her worlds. Her literary work brimming with biting pathos, sensual longing and heartbreaking romance is forever etched in the collective consciousness of entire generations. Her undying love for Sahir and her passionate promise to Imroz speak volumes for her complete surrender to her profound inner truth and courageous life choices.  

 Each year, Consulate in collaboration with various cultural organisations, organizes Kala Utsav to showcase Indian dance, vocal/instrument, and short-skit/play performances. 

The Fifth Annual Theatre Festival held on the 7th of August, 2021, at Prairie Center for the Arts,

Schaumburg, IL. The festival was presented by Mandi Theatre in collaboration with the Consulate

General of India, Chicago. The annual theatre festival commenced in 2017 is the only theatre festival in

the Midwest that promotes Indian culture and tradition through their performances.
 

The Fifth Annual Theatre Festival held on the 7th of August, 2021, at Prairie Center for the Arts,

Schaumburg, IL. The festival was presented by Mandi Theatre in collaboration with the Consulate

General of India, Chicago. The annual theatre festival commenced in 2017 is the only theatre festival in

the Midwest that promotes Indian culture and tradition through their performances.
 

With a goal to unite with enthusiasts of Indian culture from across the world, we participated in  VISHWARANG ,  along with  some renowned talents across the globe.

You can catch the LIVE action at

1. VISHWARANG  Website Live Page
https://festival.vishwarang.com/live

2. VISHWARANG Youtube channel
bit.ly/VishwarangYTchannel 

3. VISHWARANG Facebook page
http://bit.ly/VishwarangFacebook 

#VishwarangLIVE

10 full length plays in various languages, 3 group discussion, one theater workshop and one Radio Show

As a response to global pandemic COVID-19, we hosted Illinois’s very first , Quarantine Theater Festival, as an initiative to support 'Stay Home' advisory and as an escape to our anxieties.

  Given social-distancing protocols that prohibit physical gatherings, theatre makers have responded creatively to the COVID-19 pandemic by turning to online. ZOOM was one of the best options to rehearse and record latest online production. 

As a response to global pandemic COVID-19, we hosted Illinois’s very first , Quarantine Theater Festival, as an initiative to support 'Stay Home' advisory and as an escape to our anxieties.

  Given social-distancing protocols that prohibit physical gatherings, theatre makers have responded creatively to the COVID-19 pandemic by turning to online. ZOOM was one of the best options to rehearse and record latest online production. 

  Play   2: Gandhi and Churchill - A short animated vignette between Gandhi and   Churchill
 

     Play   1: Kasturba - A spirited dialogue between Gandhi and his wife Kasturba. 

     150th Birth Anniversary of   Mahatma Gandhi, hosted by National Council of Asian Indian Associations   (NCAIA), with the support of the Consulate General of India in Chicago and   various Indian American Community Organizations    

 शोले - Our 25th Production, Performed by Grand mothers Occasion : Mother's Day Celebration at Hari Om Mandir १० मिनट का छोटा सा नाटक मंदिर में हमारे सीनियर्स ने प्रस्तुत किया और अपने अभिनय से जान डाल दी | आप सभी कलाकारों के जज्बे को सलाम | Hats off to our seniors among us who inspire us to do more and be more. Performed by seniors the play was well received by the audience.  

 Dastangoi - (a rare and unique traditional storytelling form) was presented in English & in Hindi -a first-time collaboration between Mandi Theatre & Ann Arbor storyteller Jill Halpern  

Story: BITCH

Written by  Mrinal Pande 

 Synopsis: This is the story about a four year old girl whose parents married her to a dog in order to ward off the evil eye from their family. It is about a conversation a between a woman who hosts a TV show (as the author does) and her maid about an article they saw in the newspaper. 

 Presented Dastangoi ( storytelling) - a collaboration between Mandi Theater & Spotlight OH 

Event Link

Cast: Alka Sharma ( Mandi Theater) & Angana Sur (Spotlight, OH)

Story: Akbari Lota

Mandi Theater was invited to perform at the prestigious  Wheaton Festival of Cultures, held annually at  Wheaton French Market, IL   

 A fun afternoon of storytelling, culture, food, arts, activities, music and more, where more than 30 participants and groups participated, sharing their heritage and cultures.  

Play: Apne Apne Daon' - Language HINDI

       Based on a folk story, the play is penned by a renowned playwright, director and actor Sri Daya Prakash Sinha

 This is a situational comedy that entertains the audience and makes them roar with laughter. 

 धीरः शिवदासः (संस्कृत नाटकम् ) 

Dheerh Shivdasah - SANSKRIT Play

Directed by   

Mara Mani Sundaresan of  Unnatilok 

 Synopsis Dheerh Shivdasah : The story depicts ho­w a young boy named Sivadasa bravely brings out the truth of what is happening in the kingdom of King Ravi Varma.