Rashtrapati Bhavan awaits Marathi Tarka

MUMBAI: In a first-of-its-kind event, a group of 15 leading ladies of Marathi cinema, TV and theatre is all set to perform for a cause at Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 6.

The performance, which is a combination of dance and drama interspersed with mimicry, will highlight one of the most sensitive issues in the society—female foeticide.

Varsha Usgaonkar, Resham Tipnis, Sharvari Jamenis, Surekha Punekar, Prajakta Kulkarni and others are part of Marathi Tarka, a troupe formed a few months ago. Their performance at Akhil Bhartiya Natya Sammelan held in Solapur recently won them not only the audience’s applause, but also a mention in the president’s speech. Soon after, the show’s organiser Mahesh Tilekar received an invitation to perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

For the troupe, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. “Not only we are practicing hard, but we have also tried to raise our standard in the performance and our props. We hope it will be a grand success for us,” said Resham Tipnis.

Varsha Usgaonkar will be visiting Rashtrapati Bhavan after a span of nearly 20 years. “Apart from two visits as a child artiste in the float of Goa on Republic Days, I have visited the president’s home many times with my father, who was a minister in Goa Cabinet. I am excited about this performance. It has given me an opportunity to showcase the social cause of female foeticide. I am sure that being a sensitive woman, the president will appreciate it,” she said.