INDIA: The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival, one of India’s most prestigious platforms for theatre, marks its milestone 20th year in 2025 with a special emphasis on theatre education and its critical role in shaping the arts and innovation sector. The festival will be held from March 13 to 19, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre in New Delhi, showcasing ten shortlisted plays from across India.
As part of its landmark edition, META 2025 will honour veteran writer, translator, journalist, and theatre critic Shanta Gokhale with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Gokhale, known for her Marathi novels Rita Welinkar and Tya Varshi, has made remarkable contributions to theatre literature and criticism.
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The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is an initiative of the Mahindra Group, curated and produced by Teamwork Arts. Launched in 2006, it is one of the most prestigious theatre awards in India, recognizing and celebrating excellence across various aspects of theatre production and performance.
This year, META reinforces its commitment to theatre education, underlining its importance in fostering creativity, innovation, and cognitive development. Speaking on the role of theatre in education, Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, emphasized, “Theatre education in India is absolutely vital, and it’s no more a luxury. As we continue to evolve into a service-driven sector and a sector for innovation, you need to be able to align both left and right brain, and to be able to do that, theatre and all the allied arts have to be part and parcel of this theatre and education. Twenty years of META has been quite a journey. We didn’t start out with a fixed roadmap, but some of the key milestones have been the creation of a platform that stands for excellence.”
META 2025: Celebrating Two Decades of Theatrical Excellence and Diversity
Celebrating two decades of META, Jay Shah, Vice President, Head, Cultural Outreach, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “The Mahindra Group is thrilled to announce the 20th Annual Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. META continues to inspire theatre practitioners and audiences alike, reaffirming our vision to make a meaningful positive impact for theatre in our country. As we celebrate this landmark 20th year, we look forward to a week of outstanding performances showcasing the finest theatrical talent in the country.”
Sanjoy K Roy added, “META highlights the diversity and excellence of Indian theatre. META 2025 honours the finest talent from across the country. As we celebrate its landmark 20th year, the festival continues to champion the vibrant theatre community, building connections and inspiring diverse stories to take the stage.”
For the 2025 edition, META received 367 entries from 25 states and two international submissions, reflecting the festival’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The final 10 nominated plays, staged in Hindi, Malayalam, Bangla, Kannada, Sanskrit, Bundeli, and English, highlight India’s rich theatrical traditions. The awards will be presented in 14 categories, including Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Actor in Lead and Supporting Roles, and Best Original Script.
META 2025 will once again serve as a powerful platform to recognize excellence in theatre while fostering dialogue on theatre education and its role in nurturing creativity in India’s evolving cultural landscape.
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