Theatrical marathon on women freedom fighters creates record

Nagpur: Padmagandha Pratishthan, a renowned cultural organisation in Nagpur, has etched its name in history by securing a place in the Asia Book of World Records with the successful conclusion of their three-day theatrical marathon, ‘Swatantrya Sangramatil Saudamini', on Sunday evening.
Established in 1994, Padmagandha Pratishthan has been a prominent force in the city's cultural landscape.As per the Pratishthan, the latest achievement makes it the first cultural institution in the state to hold two world records.
The theatrical marathon showcased the lives and struggles of Indian women freedom fighters through a series of powerful performances. The event, which began on Friday, featured 25 solo performances by talented women artists from the city.
Padmagandha Pratishthan's founder, Shubhangi Bhadbhade, termed the event as a significant milestone in the history of Nagpur theatre. "The theatrical marathon showcased the lives of 25 remarkable women freedom fighters from various regions of India. We were reminded of the immense hardships they endured in their youth. To bring their stories to life, we explored lesser-known aspects of their lives and the places they inhabited," she said.
Padmagandha's first record is for organising ‘Lekhika Natya Mahotsava'. "For the last 22 years, we have been organising this three-day event in Nagpur. Only plays written by women playwrights are staged in this theatre festival," said Bhadbhade.
The theatrical marathon was skilfully directed by Prabha Deoskar and Sunanda Sathe, two veteran women theatre activists from Nagpur.
Interestingly, the history of the women freedom fighters is now documented in the form of a book, which was also published. The book has 50 stories of female freedom fighters, which is another rare documentation for the nation.
**25 Women Freedom Fighters, 25 Artists**
Rani Laxmibai: Madhura Deshpande
Kashibai Hanwar: Prachiti Dhond
Beena Das: Ankita Poharkar
Mainavati: Aishwarya Moharir
Rani Droupadi: Devayani Bhagat
Haunsabaai: Vijaya Shinde
Uda Pasi: Gauri Joshi
Zalkari: Pooja Mangalmurthi
Leela Patil: Asawari Ramekar
Suhasini Ganguly: Smruti Mulmule
Kalpana Datta: Sachi Jeevane
Usha Mehta: Sujata Patwardhan
Begum Hazarat Mahal: Deepalakshmi Bhat
Guidian Lyu: Asawari Dange
Lakshmi Sehgal: Gargi Limaye
Rajamani: Mukta Ranade
Kanaklata Barua: Kasturi Khot
Neera Arya: Vaidehi Chawre
Ajinan Bai: Mayuri Tongle
Rani Ishwari Devi: Shruti Paranjape
Rani Chenamma: Aishwarya Shinde
Velyu Nechiyar: Smita Dabholkar
Bhogeshwari Fuknani: Pallavi Mulmule
Suniti Chaudhari: Janai Mulmule
Matangini Hazara: Sarika Pendse