“If we invest more in Arts, the government will have to invest less in Law and order.” Actor Adil Hussain said at the awards ceremony of the 18th META – Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards 2023. We couldn’t agree more.

18th META Awards Night

As we walked down the red carpet at the 18th META – Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards in New Delhi, we could feel the excitement in the air. The event, curated by Teamwork Arts and sponsored by the Mahindra Group, brought together the national theatre fraternity and a diverse audience for a week-long extravaganza celebrating the finest of Indian theatre from across the country.

We made our way to the Kamani Auditorium and couldn’t help but marvel at the vibrant costumes with lights on the drum players. The sound of light drizzle mixed with the rhythm of the drums set the perfect mood for the evening.

META 2023 – A Starry Affair

The ceremony was hosted by celebrated Indian actor Jim Sarbh and featured several stalwarts from Indian theatre, TV, art, and cinema such as Manoj Bajpayee, Adil Hussain, Saurabh Shukla, Shovana Narain, and Lillete Dubey.

META 2023 Jury

The META jury for this season comprised distinguished theatre personalities such as Amal Allana, Arundhati Nag, Bruce Guthrie, Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, Mohan Agashe, Shernaz Patel, and Sunit Tandon. These experts had the challenging task of selecting the best plays from various states and languages in India.

Performances at the 18th META

The event was not just a platform for recognition and awards, but also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of India and the arts in general. The performances were a heady mix of acrobatics, ballet, Manipuri Cholam dance, and drums. The Ao Naga Choir and Cirque De India left the audience mesmerized with their breathtaking performances.

META 2023 – Lifetime Achievement Award

One of the highlights of the evening was the META Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Sushma Seth, one of India’s most renowned stage, film, and television actors. As we watched a small film showcasing Ms. Seth’s long journey in films, TV, and theatre, we couldn’t help but feel inspired by her contributions to Indian theatre.

The Best of the Best

The awards ceremony itself was an exciting affair, with “Hunkaro” sweeping the show, winning the 2023 META for Best Play, Best Director, Best Script, Best Stage Design, Best Costume Design, and other categories. Due to time constraints, we missed watching this play during this META season and regret it.

META Dinner and Reception

As the evening drew to a close, the guests were treated to excellent wine and sumptuous dinner reception at the Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra next door. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable evening, and we left feeling inspired and in awe of the talent on display.

Why META

The META festival has become a vital platform for recognizing and awarding India’s best plays from different states and languages. Teamworks and META’s dedication to the art are evident in their conceptualization and organization of events throughout the year.

This initiative and award ceremony for theatre aimed to acknowledge the impact of arts in fostering unity, inspiration, and transformation. The inaugural play titled “Namak” iterates that theatre can be a powerful medium for expressing one’s ideas to society, authorities, and the system. The arts possess the unique ability to surpass linguistic, cultural, and geographical barriers, and connect us through our common humanity.

Oh! What a Night

Attending the 18th META – Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards was an unforgettable experience. The event was a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of India and a showcase of the incredible talent in the Indian theatre industry. As we left the venue, we were filled with a sense of inspiration and hope for the future of the arts in India.