Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know T he Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey held its 10th Annual Multilingual Theater Festival on August 23rd and 24th at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, marking what organizers called, “a decade of artistic brilliance, cultural celebration, and heartfelt com- munity engagement.” Over two days, the festival showcased eight short plays across multiple lan- guages, each reflecting the cultural tapes- try of Indian storytelling and the power of performance to bridge generations and geographies. The event was inaugurated by IHCA Founder Dr. Ashok Chaudhary who welcomed the audience and introduced his dedicated team. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Chief Guest Consul Piyush Singh from the Indian Consulate in New York, alongside Gold Sponsors Drs. Ra- chana and Anand Kulkarni. Consul Singh highlighted the power of theater and the arts in connecting com- munities, strengthening bonds within the Indian American diaspora and fostering connections with the wider American community. Well known lyricist Susan Birken- head spoke about the enduring value of simplicity and resilience in theater, at the opening ceremony. The first day’s first play was Pramod Kale’s Marathi play Yugantar, which bold- ly interrogated Gandhari’s blindfold—not just as a personal choice, but as a haunt- ing metaphor for willful ignorance in the face of epochal destruction. A visually stunning dance drama Jata- yu, choreographed by Dr. Maya Kulkarni was performed. Mesma Belsare delivered a poignant and intense portrayal of the mythic bird—embodying Jatayu’s fierce devotion and tragic sacrifice. The third performance, Ujjan, a Ben- gali play directed by Sankha Bhowmic, offered a tender yet unflinching glimpse into the emotional terrain of parents raising an autistic child—navigating love, frustration, and resilience. The evening concluded with Hemant Anikhindi’s satirical Marathi gem Le- khakacha Kutra, a witty and irreverent take on the compromises made by a se- rial writer caught between creativity and commercial demands. The second day commenced with a felicitation ceremony honoring five fa- mous individuals in the theater commu- nity with Lifetime Achievement Awards: Ashok Kamerkar, Dr. Meena Nerurkar, Dr. Farleigh Richmond, Sharad Sathe and the late Ashok Vanjari. Dr. Nerurkar took the stage with a delightfully eerie comedy that blended humor with the supernatural. In this whimsical ghostly tale, two sisters meddle in the romantic life of a young woman—the daughter of one of the spirits. Members of the audience showed their appreciation for the clever writing and spirited performances. What followed was a major shift in tone with Dan Swern’s Shiv’s Project that delivered a gut-wrenching tragedy based on a true story. The stripped-down stag- ing and authentic dialogue cut straight to the heart, leaving the audience visibly moved. The emotional depth continued with Saavlya, Chetan Datar’s exploration of lives lived in the shadows. Directed by Makarand Bhave, the all-female cast brought out the vulnerability and quiet strength embedded in their roles, illumi- nating themes of deprivation, compro- mised dreams, and sexual oppression. The festival concluded on a jubilant note with Rahul Gune’s Sukhi Mansacha Sadara—a riotous celebration of tama- sha, Maharashtra’s beloved folk theater traditionA with its infectious energy, colorful rhythms, and unapologetic joy. By a StaffWriter Scene from the Bengali play Ujjan, at the Natya Darpan event held Aug. 23, 24, 2025 in New Brunswick, NJ. Executive Board Members of Natya Darpan, from left, Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Dr. Rachana Kulkarni, Dr. Anand Kulkarni, pose for a photo at the Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey’s 10th Annual Multilingual Theater Festival Aug. 23-24, 2025, in New Brunswick, NJ. Scenes from a play and a dance, at the Natya Darpan theater festival Aug. 23-24, 2025, in New Brunswick, NJ. Founder of Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey Dr. Ashok Chaudhary with his wife Gauri Chaudhary, at the Natya Darpan festival. Piyush Singh Consul (Political, Press, Information & Culture) from the Indian Consulate in New York, speaking at the Natya Darpan theater festival. PHOTOS: Indian Heritageand Cultural Association of New Jersey (IHCA-NJ) Natya Darpan Marks Decade Of Multilingual Theater With 2-Day Festival 14 COVER STORY August 29, 2025