Ashok Samel concerned over devaluation of children's theatre

Noted Marathi film and theatre actor Ashok Samel has expressed concern over the declining standard of children's theatre in the country.

He said children's drama festivals were being organised these days to reap commercial benefits out of it.

"The devaluation of children's theatre is not acceptable, some thing should be done immediately to improve it," Samel told reporters here Saturday.

Dramas held in yesteryears had a message for children, but that objective is lacking today, rued Samel.

He called upon producers and actors to come up with plays and drams carrying some worthwhile message and lessons for the young generation.

Samel said he started his acting career with a children's drama and wants to retire with the same.

He recalled the contributions of veteran artists Sudha Karmarkar, Ratnakar Matkari, Vandana Vitankar towards promotion and development of children's theatre.

Samel was speaking at an event organised by the Gandhar Kala Sanstha, a city-based NGO promoting children's drama theatre, to announce an award for Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar for his contribution towards children's theatre.

The organisers also announced nominations for the professional children's drama competition awards, which would be given on November 14.