Narenatplay

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Lavani Ke Rang/ Hindi commentary, Marathi songs Director : Bhushan Korgaonkar  Written by : Bhushan Korgaonkar  Narrated by Geetanjali Kulkarni Theatre company : B Spot Productions  Rating : **** In January this year, I had interviewed Bhushan Korgaonkar for his work as co-director of Bansuri Jab Gaane Lage , a musical play based on the life of master flautist Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. He had then told me about his passion for lavani, the musical folk-dance form popular in interior Maharashtra. So when he sent me a WhatsApp message on Lavani Week 2025, held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, (NMACC),  Prithvi Theatre and Saibaba Hotel Malad from April 12 to 19, I was more drawn to the show Lavani Ke Rang at Prithvi on April 17. The other programmes included a workshop by veteran artiste Shakuntalabai Nagarkar at NMACC and the dance drama presentation Love And Lavani . This being my first lavani show, my earlier understanding of th...

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Bombay Jazz/ English play Director : Etienne Coutinho Written by : Ramu Ramanathan  Cast : Denzil Smith, Rhys Sebastian Theatre company : Stagesmith Productions Rating : **** It's been one of those theatrical presentations I kept missing. Originally called Jazz , it featured actor Bugs Bhargava and saxophonist Rhys Sebastian when it premiered in 2007. Over time, Denzil Smith played the main role of an aging Goan musician who's been part of the Mumbai film music scene from the 1950s to the 1970s. The musical is now titled Bombay Jazz . I finally got to see it at the Prithvi Theatre on April 4, Directed by Etienne Coutinho, it has been scripted by Ramu Ramanathan. While Denzil and Rhys, who.plays the veteran musician's protégé, come up with fabulous performances, an interesting aspect.is the use of audio-visuals featuring various characters and shown in the backdrop. Coupled with Merlyn DSouza's background music, and live playing by Rhys who excels o...