Our Bureau
New Brunswick, NJ
The Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey (IHCA-NJ) proudly celebrated the successful conclusion of the 11th Annual Natya Darpan Multilingual Short Play Festival on July 11, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Bringing together artists, directors, playwrights, and theater enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, the festival once again demonstrated the transformative power of theater to inspire dialogue, build empathy, and unite communities through storytelling.
This year’s festival featured five compelling productions in Marathi, Hindi, English, and multilingual formats, each exploring timely social issues while showcasing exceptional artistic talent.
The festival was inaugurated by Hon. Consul Upendra Singh Negi from the Consulate General of India, New York. IHCA-NJ Founder and President Dr. Ashok Chaudhary welcomed the audience and introduced the dedicated volunteers and executive team whose commitment made the festival possible.
The traditional ceremonial lamp was lit by Hon. Consul Upendra Singh Negi, legendary theater director and actor Vijay Kenkre, Middlesex County Commissioner Deputy Director Shanti Narra, and members of the Natya Darpan Executive Team, symbolizing the beginning of a day dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
The audience was also honored with special video messages conveying best wishes from Hon. Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York; New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill; and renowned actor, psychiatrist, and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Mohan Agashe, reflecting the growing recognition and impact of Natya Darpan.
The festival opened with “Seen Under the Weight,” an English play written and directed by Yona Downes. The production explored the silent struggles faced by graduate students dealing with academic pressure, burnout, bullying, and mental health challenges. Its sensitive storytelling encouraged compassion, resilience, and the importance of seeking support during difficult times.
Following the performance, the audience participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion on mental health featuring distinguished guests, including Prof. Marshall Jones, Dean of Access at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. The discussion further reinforced the festival’s commitment to using theater as a platform for meaningful community conversations.
The second production, “Daldal,” directed by Seema Shahane, revisited the emotional landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the experiences of ordinary individuals navigating lockdowns, uncertainty, and isolation, the Hindi drama captured the emotional toll of the crisis while highlighting hope, resilience, and the lasting impact of the pandemic on mental well-being.
The Marathi science-fiction drama “Human in the Loop,” directed by Atul Athavale, offered a thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on modern life. Rather than presenting technology as either friend or foe, the play invited audiences to reflect on memory, identity, ethics, and the indispensable role of human judgment in an increasingly AI-driven world.
The fourth presentation, “The Calculus of Guilt,” written and directed by Dr. Manoj Shahane, delivered a powerful examination of family expectations, hidden truths, and mental health within the South Asian community. Through emotionally compelling performances, the play challenged audiences to reconsider conventional definitions of success while emphasizing compassion, understanding, and emotional healing.
Following the fourth production, IHCA-NJ celebrated another significant milestone with the Awards Ceremony for the inaugural Natya Darpan National Playwriting Competition, recognizing excellence in original multilingual playwriting. The ceremony was led by IHCA-NJ Founder and President Dr. Ashok Chaudhary and Playwriting Competition Tem Lead Dr. Manoj Shahane.
In the Mini Short Play category, First Prize was awarded to Ritambhara Mittal (Alpharetta, Georgia) for Gulabi Shareh, while Second Prize went to Dr. Siddhesh Kulkarni (Jersey City, New Jersey) for Spring Bloom. In the Short Play category, First Prize was presented to Shirin Mhadeshwar (Livingston, New Jersey) for Zadat Punha Ugavaya, and Second Prize was awarded to Sumit Kulkarni (New Jersey) for Behind the Uniform.
The awards and certificates were presented by renowned theater director and actor Vijay Kenkre, who congratulated the winners for their creativity and contributions to contemporary theater. The competition reflects IHCA-NJ’s ongoing commitment to discovering, nurturing, and celebrating new playwrights while encouraging the creation of original works that enrich the multilingual theater landscape.
The festival concluded with “Dhaaga,” a multilingual production directed by Amita, which addressed the global issues of sustainability and fast fashion. Weaving together stories across cultures and generations, the play illustrated how individual choices connect to worldwide environmental and humanitarian challenges. Its moving narrative left audiences reflecting on the responsibility each of us shares in creating a more sustainable future.
Collectively, the five productions demonstrated theater’s unique ability to entertain while encouraging meaningful conversations about mental health, technology, ethics, family relationships, environmental responsibility, and social justice. The festival highlighted the richness of multilingual theater and celebrated the creativity of playwrights, directors, actors, musicians, designers, technicians, and volunteers whose dedication brought these stories to life.
The program was expertly hosted by emcees Sucheta Sathe and Vishal Chedda, whose warmth, humor, and professionalism ensured a seamless flow throughout the day and kept the audience engaged from beginning to end.
Speaking after the festival, Dr. Ashok Chaudhary, Founder and President of IHCA-NJ, said:
“For the past eleven years, Natya Darpan has demonstrated that theater is much more than entertainment—it is a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and social change. This year’s productions addressed some of the most pressing issues facing our society, from mental health and artificial intelligence to sustainability and human relationships. We are deeply grateful to our artists, volunteers, sponsors, partners, dignitaries, and our wonderful audience for making this festival another memorable success. Their continued support enables IHCA-NJ to provide a platform where diverse voices are heard and meaningful stories are shared.”
Founded in 2013, the Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey (IHCA-NJ) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting performing arts, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering cross-cultural understanding through theater, dance, music, and educational programming. Through signature initiatives such as Natya Darpan and Nritya Darpan, IHCA-NJ has provided a platform for hundreds of artists and playwrights while using the performing arts to spark dialogue, promote social awareness, and strengthen communities through cultural exchange.
