Swatantra Theatre
Indian theatre organization and troupe
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Swatantra Theatre is an Indian theatre organization and troupe based in Pune, India. The troupe produces and performs plays in Hindi language. In addition to theatre productions, the troupe also carries theatre education, training and theatre festival. It has staged productions across India. Swatantra's alumni include Shivankit Singh Parihar, Karan Kishore Parab, Tushar Kawle, Prakhar Singh. Mahadev Singh Lakhawat, Varun Rajput, Prashant Singh, Aarsvi Joshi and Aditya Singhal
 Logo of Swatantra Theatre | |
| Formation | 15 August 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Type | Theatre organisation, performing arts center, and troupe |
| Location | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
Official language | Hindi, Marathi |
Key people |
|
| Website | swatantratheater |
Swatantra Theatre was founded by Abhijeet Choudhary, Dhanashree Heblikar and Yuwaraj Shah in 2007.[1][2][3] Choudhary serves as a director of the plays, while Heblikar serves as creative director.[4]
History
In 2005, Abhijeet Choudhary, who was working as an actor at Asmita Theatre, and Dhanashree Heblikar, a stage actor, met in Pune and decided to start a theatre group that would produce Hindi-language plays solely, because at that time, the theatre of Pune was dominated by Marathi theatre.[4] The theatre trope was founded on 15 August 2007.[5] As of 2018, the troupe has 55 permanent members.[3]
Activities
Choudhary directs the plays produced by the troupe, and Heblikar serves as creative director and manages aesthetics including music, light, set, costumes.[4] Swatantra organizes Swatantra Rang Hindi Theater Festival, a two or three-days theatre festival, annually.[6][7][8] It also organizes Children's Theatre Festival twice in a year,[9] and a virtual theatre festival, Rang-e-Dastaan.[10] It organized workshops twice in a month to give education about on voice modulation, body control and acting.[5]
The theatre presents the Yuwaraj of Theatre (YOTA) of Award annually on its anniversary day.[11]
Plays
Swatantra Theatre produces plays which often deal with the theme of social consciousness. It has also worked in experimental theatre.[3] The troupe often performs plays on mental health awareness.[12] The troupe has performed its plays at various places including Film and Television Institute of India, BHARANGAM-2020 AND BHARANGAM 2024National School of Drama,37th Pune Festival, Vizag Junior Theatre Festival, Kukdukoo Children's Festival[All over India] Deccan Literature Festival, National Defence Academy (NDA).,[5] 37th Pune Festival at Bal Gandharva Ranga Mandir [13]
| Year | Play | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Court Martial | [5][14] |
| 2008 | Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar | [15] |
| 2008 | Zindagi Ke Rang | [16] |
| 2008 | Andha Yug | [16] |
| 2009 | Gagan Damama Bajyo | [17] |
| 2009 | Dhool Mein Lipta Sach | [18] |
| 2010 | Dayashankar Ki Diary | [19] |
| 2010 | Hamlet In My School | [20][21] |
| 2011 | Ajab Sher Ki Gajab Kahani | [22] |
| 2011 | Ji Jaisi Aapki Marzi | [23] |
| 2013 | Cheaper By The Dozen | [24] |
| 2013 | Mashaal Jalao Diye Se | [25] |
| 2014 | Dakghar | [26] |
| 2014 | Komal Gandhar | [26] |
| 2014 | Gharonda | [27] |
| 2015 | Chulbule Bulbule | [28] |
| 2016 | Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya wo Jamya Nai | [29] |
| 2016 | Taj Mahal ka Tender | [30] |
| 2017 | An Evening with Chekhov | [31] |
| 2017 | Jhalkiyaan | [32] |
| 2018 | Panchi Aise Aate Hain | [33] |
| 2019 | Khamosh Adalat Jaari Hain | [33] |
| 2019 | Jaag Utha Hai Raigad | [34] |
| 2020 | Common Sadness | [12] |
| 2020 | Vijeta Kaun | [10] |
| 2020 | The Bicycle Girl | [10] |
| 2020 | Sheher-e-Naqab | [3] |
| 2020 | Bakri | [35] |
| 2020 | Ujbak Raja Teen Dacoit | [35] |
| 2021 | Sihar Uthi Thi Maut Yahan | [36] |
| 2022 | Ashadh Ka Ek Din | [37] |
| 2022 | Malgudi Days | [38] |
| 2023 | Hamidabai Ki Kothi | [39] |
|- |2024 | Chauthi Cigarette |[40] |- |2025 | Aadhe Adhure |[41] |-
Awards and Felicitations
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2018
Dhanashree Heblikar- Best Actor for Play Mujhe Amrita Chahiye Rashmi Gupta Received Excellence in Acting for Play Mujhe Amrita Chahiye
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2019
Won 4th Best Play Tajmahal Ka Tender Ashwin Sharma Best Actor for Play Tajmahal Ka Tender
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2020
Won 3rd Best Play Kabira Khada Bazar Mein Dhanashree Heblikar Received Excellence in Acting for Play Kabira Khada Bazar Mein
Selected to Perform play "Jaag Utha Hai Raigad"
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2021
Krushan Doshi Received Excellence in Acting for Play Jaag Utha Hai Raigad
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2022 [42]
Sihar Uthi Thi Maut Yahan Received 7 Awards
Best 2nd Play
Best Director Abhijeet Choudhary
Best Actor Dhanashree Heblikar
& Prashant Gowda
Best Set Design Arun Jagtap
Best Make-up Aayushi
Excellence in Acting- Chezan Lawyer
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Marathi 2022
Kirti Kadam Received Excellence in Acting for Play "Raigadala Jeva Jaag Yete"
Invited to Perform Play "Malgudi Day" in English
- Bharat Rang Mahotsav of National School Of Drama-2024 in Jodhpur
Selected to Perform Play "Sihar Uthi Thi Maut Yahan"
Invited to Perform Play "Sihar Uthi Thi Maut Yahan"
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2024
Dhanashree Heblikar and Prashant Gowda Received Excellence in Acting Award for Play Hamida bai Ki Kothi Received
- 63rd Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha(1st Round) 2025, the Marathi play "Hamidabai Chi Kothi" received multiple awards
2nd Best Play Best Acting- Dhanashree Heblikar and Prashant Gowda Best Direction- Abhijeet Choudhary Best Costumes and Makeup - Ankita Choudhary
- 63rd Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Marathi (Final Round)-2025
Aswhin Sharma Received Best Actor Awards from all over Maharashtra
- Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2025
Rajeev Bhardwaj Received Exlcellnce in Acting Award for Play CHAUTHI CIGARRETE.
- Selected to Perform in 10th Aashirwaad National Theatre Festival 2025 at Dinkar Bhawan- Begusarai, Bihar -Play Hamidabai Ki Kothi.