Creative Director’s Message

Welcome to META

Ravi Dubey, Creative Director

I am delighted that we have sailed smoothly into this, our sixth year of Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META). Year after year, we have seen an expanding geographical area of the country from where theatre productions are sending in their entries. What is more heartening is that the productions from the hinterland of India are participating in META and are in fact emerging as winners under different categories. One of my goals certainly was to touch the pulse of Indian theatre through META. Seeing the quality and spread of the participation, it gladdens my heart that this objective is increasingly being achieved.

We have established a framework over five years in India. The need to create an international link is now beginning to look like a possibility. Quite unnoticeably, we have been exposing META to visitors from overseas and by sharing our vision we inch closer to presenting Indian talent and influence on a global stage. The fervent pulse of Indian theatre, constant and unwavering is softly resounding through META.

I cannot, with any gumption, claim that we are anywhere near the peak. But I do think that we have navigated the trees at the foothills, crossed the rocks and other forbidding obstacles, steered a clear path, and are now on our way on an upward journey. We have moved from a few to a large number of geographies and languages – that I can say; we have a process which is unbiased, honest, rigorous and committed – that I can say; the upliftment of theatre in India and all its collaterals is our only motivation – that I can say; we have begun a journey that I can say; we have still further to go, that too, I can say! That META is here in perpetuity: that I can surely say!