The festival will open with the play, `Sangeet Sharda', followed by `Chaiti' on May 9. While the former was first staged in 1895, the latter is a recent creation by the Talegaon Dabhade-based group Kalapini. Another popular play, `Sanshaykallol', will be staged on May 10. The next day, `Sangeet Manapaman' will return to stage after a long time. One of the most famous Sangeet Nataks of all time, `Katyar Kaljat Ghusli,' will mark the end of the festival on May 12.

All the Sangeet Natak's will witness performances by renowned singers and actors, including Ravindra Khare, Ram Sathaye, Sanjeev Mehendale, Gautam Murdeshwar, Ravindra Kulkarni, Arvind Pilgaonkar, Urjita Behere, Kavita Tikekar, Bhakti Page, Sampada Thite, Kshama Vaidya and Charudutta Aphale.

"All the actors almost immediately agreed to participate at the festival," Ravindra Khare, trustee, Bharat Natya Sanshodhan Mandir, said. He also expressed pleasure over the keen interest youngsters are showing to this form of theatre. "We are getting a lot of college students to participate," he said.

He said the age-old tradition of encouraging theatre in general and amateur theatre in particular had earned the organisation a reputable position in the theatrical circles. The organisation has nurtured the tradition of Sangeet Nataks for over 115 years now. As it is moving ahead to complete its 120 years of existence, the group plans to spruce up the old Bharat natya sanshodhan mandir auditorium. "We want to rebuild the whole structure, but the plans are in a preliminary stage," Khare, who is a builder by profession, said. The season as well as regular tickets will be available from April 30 between 9 to 11.30 am and between 5 to 8 at Bharat Natya Mandir office.