OUR TEAM
RUPESH PAWAR
Theatre Practitioner
Rupesh Pawar is a seasoned theatre practitioner with over two decades of experience, working under the banner Rashtrabhasha Parivar since 2002. He has directed 53 plays, adapted 32 stories, and written 5 original plays. Rupesh is deeply committed to nurturing new talent and has led theatre acting workshops in various institutions, including for children with disabilities. As an initiator, he has launched several key theatre platforms, including First Bell on Stage (2004), offering first-time playwrights and theatre professionals a stage to showcase their work. He also founded Shubhaste Panthanah, a festival promoting local drama teams, and the Vinayak Karade Theatre Festival, which fosters cultural exchange through theatre. His initiatives like Shalaya Rangmanch and the upcoming Akkad Bakkad Slum Theatre Festival focus on empowering underprivileged children and providing them with access to creative expression through theatre.
MANGALA SANAP
National School of Drama, Delhi
Mangala Sanap is a graduate of the National School of Drama, Delhi, with 14 years of experience as an actress and director. She has worked with the National School of Drama Repertory Company in New Delhi and collaborated with prominent directors like Dr. Anuradha Kapoor, Robin Das, and Shantanu Bose. As President of Meraki Theatre Group,she founded First Bell on Stage, a platform for emerging theatre talent, and organizes Shalaya Rangmanch, an initiative focused on theatre in education for school and underprivileged children in Nagpur. Trained in various acting techniques, including Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner, and Koodiyattam, Mangala’s projects Tamasha Songadya Cha and The Bread of Life Dr Khankhoje were selected for the 19th & 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India’s premier International Theatre Festival.
PUSHPAK BHAT
National School of Drama, Tripura
Pushpak Bhat is a passionate theatre practitioner. With 10 years of active experience in the field, Pushapak has performed in various plays, including portraying Mahatma Gandhi in August Kranti(2021), for which he received a state government certificate in 2023. He has participated in prestigious theatre festivals such as the 19th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (2017) and 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (2024), with his performances in NSD fellowship research projects like Tamasha Songadyacha and August Kranti. Pushapak has also excelled in set design, winning state-level prizes, and has been actively involved in Maharashtra’s Rajya Marathi Amateur Drama Competition. Additionally, he has conducted theatre workshops for children, such as the one at Balsadan Orphanage on Children’s Day, helping foster a love for theatre among young audiences
NIKITA DHAKULKAR
Master Of Fine Arts, Nagpur
Nikita Dhakulkar is a versatile theatre practitioner with over 8 years of experience in direction, writing, acting, and light design. She has won multiple awards, including Best Writer, Best Direction, and Best Music for Nyayalayat Janara Prani, and has been recognized for her performances in August Kranti (selected for the 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav) and Aani Shevti Prarthana (First Prize at the 57th Maharashtra Govt. Drama Competition). Nikita has also earned accolades for her light design work in Azadi Ke Naam and Jadein. A trained classical singer, she has worked with NSD alumni and actively promotes children’s theatre through Shaleya Rangmanch. Dedicated to all aspects of theatre production, she excels in writing, directing, stage management, and technical operations.
AKSHAY KHOBRAGADE
Theatre Practitioner
Akshay Khobragade is a seasoned theatre practitioner with 8 years of experience at Meraki Theatre, Nagpur, specializing in light design, sound design, set design, and technical support. He has received several awards for his outstanding work in theatre lighting design. Akshay has worked on key productions such as August Kranti and The Bread of Life -Dr Khankhoje, and has operated lighting at the prestigious Bharat Rang Mahotsav (NSD, Delhi). He has also participated in numerous technical workshops, including those led by NSD alumni, continuously enhancing his skills in theatre technology. Akshay’s technical expertise plays a crucial role in elevating the quality and impact of every production he works on.