A unique and heartwarming production on the Marathi stage, Patrapatri, is celebrating its golden milestone! On April 6, 2025, at 4.30pm the 50th performance of this play will be staged at the Kashinath Ghanekar Auditorium in Thane. This is a significant moment, made possible only due to the overwhelming response from the audience.
The first performance of Patrapatri was presented on May 17, 2024 at Mumbai’s NCPA as part of the prestigious Pratibimb Marathi Theatre Festival. Since then, the play has earned a special place in the hearts of the audience. After a highly successful tour of 16 performances in the United States, it has also marked its global importance. This play is based on the book Patrapatri by renowned writer-director Dilip Prabhavalkar, first published in October 2013. The play is centered around the letter exchange between two elderly friends, Tatyasaheb and Madhavrao, and is filled with humor, nostalgia, and poignant social observations. It aims to offer the audience the magic of handwritten letters, which are at risk of being lost in the digital age.
One of the unique features of the play is that only five letters are presented in each performance, and they are changed every time. This ensures a fresh experience with every performance. Currently, one of the letters humorously comments on the Indian Premier League (IPL). The different perspectives of two elderly friends on the captivating world of cricket are presented in an entertaining manner, adding a special charm to the play. Directed by the eminent director Vijay Kenkre, Patrapatri becomes even more impactful due to the exceptional performances of Dilip Prabhavalkar and Vijay Kenkre. Their effortless acting, conversational skills, and simple yet powerful delivery have kept the audience captivated.
The play is now reaching its 50th performance milestone, thanks to the immense response from audiences in Maharashtra and abroad. Patrapatri has brilliantly woven together humor and emotional depth while making a poignant commentary on friendship, memories, and societal life. This golden performance stands as a testament to the play’s popularity and artistic achievement. The play’s writing and adaptation were done by Neeraj Shirvaikar, with direction by Vijay Kenkre. The leading roles are played by Dilip Prabhavalkar and Vijay Kenkre, while the music is arranged by Ajit Parab, the set design is by Neeraj Shirvaikar, and the lighting is managed by Sheetal Talpade. The production is brought to life by Madhuri Gawande and Ninad Karpe under the banner of Badam Raja Productions.
The organizers have appealed for theater lovers to join in large numbers for this 50th performance.
