About This Show
The Indo American Arts Council presents the Tendulkar Festival, celebrating the life and work of India’s most acclaimed playwright, Vijay Tendulkar. Leading Indian contemporary playwright, screen and television writer, literary journalist, humanist and social commentator, Tendulkar has been the most influential dramatist in India for the past decade.
The Indo-American Arts Council’s passionate mission to build an awareness of Indian artists and their work is given ample berth by Mr. Tendulkar’s work. His piercing insights into human behavior and his exhaustive repertoire made showcasing his work an obvious choice. Conceived and organized by the Indo-American Arts Council for presentation throughout New York City, the Tendulkar Festival has attracted partners both South Asian as well as American: The Play Company, Queens Museum of Art, Martin Segal Theatre CUNY Graduate Center, Alter Ego Productions, Desipina Theatre Co, Lark Theatre Co, Rasa Theatre Group, Salaam Theatre Group, PanAsian Rep and The Players Club.
Beginning September 29 and continuing for the entire month of October, IAAC in collaboration with all major South Asian Theatre companies will present the most comprehensive collection of Tendulkar’s plays and films ever to be held in the United States. Play readings, seminars, discussions, film screenings as well as a full length production his play Sakharam Binder is scheduled as a part of the Festival. The Lark Play Development Center will present the first public reading of his new play His Fifth Woman. Mr. Tendulkar will be present for interviews and post performance/screening discussions at all events.
Opening night performances include a collection of vignettes from Vijay Tendulkar’s life and works, produced by Alter Ego. Formed completely by South Asian Professionals in New York, the company has gone on to become on the hottest names in theatre production and were chosen by renowned British playwright Tom Stoppard to produce the debut of his play in New York Indian Ink – which ran to packed houses in New York in October 2003. The performance will be followed by an address by the playwright and a reception at the Consulate General of India.