Veteran theater personality, the renowned director and actress Vijaya Mehta will receive the fourth annual Pu La Smriti Sanman from the Jnanpith award winning Marathi littérateur V D Karandikar.

Mehta will be presented the prestigious award during the inauguration of the 13-day Pulotsav art festival, to be organised by Aashay Sanskritik and Paranjpe Schemes, in memory of renowned humorist P L Deshpande.

Other eminent personalities who have been recipients of the award include noted director actor Girish Karnad, poet director Gulzar and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar.

At a news conference, Pulotsav organiser Virendra Chitrav said that the award - which coincides with Mehta’s 75th birthday - will be presented at Yeshwantrao Chavan auditorium in Kothrud. It consists of a citation, memento and cash worth Rs 1 lakh.  

Another happy coincidence is that Mehta has been ably heading the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) - which P L Deshpande himself led for many years. Her illustrious career in theatre spans nearly 45 years, throughout which she has contributed immensely to theatre in her role as a director and actress. She nurtured almost two generations of theatre artistes and has been a valuable guide to younger generations.

Chitrav said that during the inauguration of the Pulotsav and the award presentation, there will be an open interview with Mehta. He added: “We have also planned a Vijaya Mehta festival featuring a documentary on her and plays and films directed by her.”