THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 12: In a remarkable achievement that put Jharkhand on the cultural map, Saikat Chatterjee of Palamu has been crowned Best Actor and Best Director at the prestigious All India Drama Competition held in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Representing the Masoom Art Group, Chatterjee led a stunning performance that captivated both audiences and the jury alike.
Masoom Art Group Stages a Triumph
The Masoom Art Group, under the leadership of president Vinod Kumar Pandey, secured seven awards in total at the competition organised by the All India Artist Association. The group’s play Sandhya Tara, written by renowned playwright Manoj Mitra and directed by Chatterjee, earned top honours, including First Prize for Best Play in the group category.
The team travelled to Shimla on June 6, performed at the historic Gaiety Theatre on June 9, and the results were declared during a grand awards ceremony at Kali Bari Hall on June 11. Esteemed figures such as senior NSD artist and actor Rohitashv Gaur, Arvind Gaur, and Shreesh Doval were present at the event.
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Saikat Chatterjee: Double Laurels for Performance and Direction
Saikat Chatterjee received accolades not only for his masterful direction but also for his powerful portrayal of Tarashankar in Sandhya Tara, earning him Best Actor. His multifaceted contribution to the production stood out amongst 27 teams from across India.
Cast and Crew Celebrate Individual Honours
The play’s cast also bagged a slew of individual awards:
- Best Actress: Munmun Chakraborty for her role as Sandhyalata
- Best Supporting Actor: Kamrup Sinha
- Best Negative Role (Female): Kanak Lata Tirkey
- Best Lighting: Vinay Chauhan
Other key contributors to the production included Amar Kumar Bhanja, Avinash Tiwari, Sandhya Shekhar, Shahzada Talib, Gulshan Mishra, Rudra Pratap Singh Babu, and Asana Bhengra.
A Moment of Pride for Jharkhand
The victory has been widely celebrated back home. Shimla Commissioner and senior IAS officer Sandeep Kadam, who formerly served in Palamu, extended his congratulations, along with Medininagar’s first Mayor Aruna Shankar, Sacred Heart School Principal Sister Benifred, Saint Mary’s School Director Avinash Dev, and Green Valley International School’s Pandit Pradeep Narayan.
With this achievement, Saikat Chatterjee and the Masoom Art Group have not only showcased Jharkhand’s rich artistic talent but also raised the state’s cultural profile on a national stage.
