Dada Kondke
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Krishna Kondke,(August 8th,1932 - March 14th, 1998) popularly known as Dada Kondke was a Marathi actor and film producer. Dada Kondke is one of most renowned personalities in Marathi film industry, famous for his movies with double entendre dialogs. Dada Kondke was born in mill worker family in Naigaum in central Mumbai[1] on Gokulashtami day and hence was named Krishna.[citation needed] Even though its popularly believed that Dada Kondke was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for highest number of silver jubilee, nine consecutive films no such entry exists. Krishna Kondke was called as Dada, an honorific Marathi term meaning "elder brother" in Marathi which lead to his popular name Dada Kondke.
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[edit] Biography
Dada Kondke was a born in a mill worker family in Mumbai staying in Naigaum, Lalbaugh Mumbai. These workers were mostly migrants to the city coming to Mumbai looking for employment in the prospering cotton mills. This section of the society was well connected to their rural roots. Dada's movies targeted this section of the society. Tamasha and stage drama's have always played a imporatant role in Marathi entertainment industry. Dada had started his entertainment career with band and then as a stage actor. While working for drama Dada toured all over Maharastra which helped him understand what entertainment meant to the local population. This learning can be seen in his movies which targeted masses over classes.
[edit] Early life
Dada's early life was spent in chawls of Naigaum, a marathi heartland of Mumbai. As a youngster Dada was a rough kid who later on took up job in a local grocery retail chain, Apna Bazaar. It was then that Dada lost most of his immediate family to unfortunate events. The recovery process changed Dada completely who decided to stay focussed on the lighter side of life and make people around laugh. Dada became a member of a local band which earned him the nickname Bandwale dada (literally translation, 'big brother who plays for the band'). [2].
[edit] Road to success
It was during this time that Dada become involved in cultural activities of Seva Dal. He started working in drama's and came in contact with various drama related personalities one of who was Vasant Sabnis, a well known Marathi writer . Dada decided to play big and started his own drama company. He approached Vasant Sabnis, a Marathi write to compose a drama script for him. Vasant Sabnis who was impressed by Dada's personality and performance in his role in Khankhanpurcha Raja (literal translation, Bankrupt king) wrote a drama which was a turning point in Dada's life, Vichha Majhi Puri Kara (literal translation, Fulfill my desires). The drama went on to play over 1500 shows and made Dada a star. The drama got Dada into spotlight and also gave him a entry into Marathi movies through a role in Bhalji Pendharkar's movie Tambdi Maati. This was followed by a lead role in Songadya a block buster which turned Dada's world around. Dada kept on delivering one hit after the other. He retained his team from Songadya and delivered his next his Ekta jeev Sadashiv. [3][4]
[edit] Dada's team
Dada Kondke's storylines were always based on the simpleton. He used same team of actors, technicians and playback singers to repeat the formula for success that he believed he had got from his debut film. Dada movies produced under the Kamakshi Pictures banner had the same set of people which included Usha Chavan as the lead actress, Raam Laxman as his music director, Mahendra Kapoor as male and Usha Mangeshkar as female playback singer.and had chief assistant Bal Mohite.
[edit] Death
On March 14, 1998 at 3.30 am, at his residence Rama Niwas in Dadar, Mumbai Dada Kondke suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to Shushrusha Nursing Home, a stone’s throw away from his residence, where he breathed his last. Dr Anil Wakankar, his physician-cum-friend, had given him a routine check-up only the previous day. He was working on a film Jaraa Dheer Dhara with Usha Chavan when the end came.
Dada’s elder sister Lilabai More and her son Padmakar More conducted the last rites. Dada’s estranged nephew Vijay Kondke was present for the funeral.
[edit] Controversies
Dada's life has been full of controversies ranging from his stance on cencorship in films, his relationship with political parties[5], his personal life and his even after his death.
[edit] Maritial status
Dada's maritial status was a matter of controversy. Legally he was married and he has a daughter Tejaswini [6] [7] but as a public figure he stayed as a bachelor.
[edit] Post death property disputes
Dada Kondke as per will didn't want any of this wealth to be given to his immediate family. He had instructed a trust consisting of Usha Chavan, Sabir Shaikh (then state labour minister), Gajanand Shirke, Vasant Bhalekar and Dr Anil Wakankar to be setup to take care of his property and businesses. [8] [9]. The family members have decided to fight this will in court.
[edit] Film career
Songadya (1971): Dada's first venture in movie production was based on a storey written by Vasant Sabnis and was directed by Govind Kulkarni. Dada casted himself as Namya, the simpleton who falls to the glamour of Kalavati (played by Usha Chavan) who is a dancer in Tamasha. Namya's mother gets annoyed on knowing his visits to Tamasha and throws him out of house. Kalavati provides shelter to Dada and starts his career at Tamasha. The movie was a big hit and made Dada's simpleton image a huge success. Dada kept his simpleton image intact all the following movies. Even though the movie was big hit the movie the movie screening in Mumbai took a controversial turn when the owner of Kohinoor Theater in Dadar decided to screen Dev Anand's Teen Deviyan in spite of Dada booking the theater 4 weeks in advance. Dada then approached Balasaheb Thackrey for help. Soon Shiv Saniks gathered and started protesting outside the theater. Eventually Songadya was released in Kohinoor and was a big hit. Some of other the other main characters who helped form this movie a big hit were Nilu Phule, Ganpat Patil, Sampat Nikam and Ratnamala.
[edit] Filmography
Marathi Drama - On stage with Writter Vasant Sabnis’s "Vichha Majhi Puri Kara" more than 100 shows.
Marathi Movies - Bhalji Pendharkar, take him into Marathi Cinema i.e. Tambadi Maati.
- 1969: Tambdi Maati
- 1981: Ganimi Kawa
His home-productions 16 Marathi Movies -
- 1971: Songadya Usha Chavan, actress.
- 1972: Eakta Jeev Sadashiv
- 1973: Andhala Marto Dola
- 1975: Pandu Hawaldar Usha Chavan, actress.
- 1976: Tumch Amach Jama
- 1977: Ram Ram Gangaram Usha Chavan, actress.
- 1978: Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgudalya Usha Chavan, actress.
- 1980: Hyoch Navra Pahije Jayshree Tee, actress.
- 1987: Aalee Angawar Usha Chavan, actress.
- 1988: Muka Ghya Muka
- 1990: Palva Palvi
- 1992: Yevu Kaa Gharaat
- 1994: Sasarche Dhotar
His home-productions 4 Hindi Movies -
- 1984 : Tere Mere Beech Mein
- 1985 : Andheri Ratme Diya Tere Hathme
- 1986 : Khol De Meri Juban
- 1989 : Aage Ki Soch Swapna, actress.
Other Languages Movies -
- 1977 : Chandu Jamadar - Gujarati
Other : Le Chal Apne Sang (2000) (dedicated to the memory of)
[edit] References
- ^ Dada Kondke award for best regional film introduced-Pune-Cities-The Times of India
- ^ Dada Kondke : End of an era
- ^ Rediff On The Net, Movies:A journalist remembers Dada Kondke
- ^ Dada Kondke : End of an era
- ^ Dada Kondke : End of an era
- ^ Kondke's will triggers drama
- ^ Dada Kondke : End of an era
- ^ Dispute erupts over Dada Kondke's will
- ^ Kondke's will triggers drama
