Ratnakar Matkari
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Ratnakar Matkari (born November 17, 1938 in Mumbai) is a popular author, producer, film director, playwright, scriptwriter and a painter from Maharashtra in India.
He has written numerous novellas and plays in Marathi language. He is particularly well-known for his work in the fantasy and horror genres. In Maharashtra, he has become synonymous with the name "Gudh Katha", which means supernatural mysteries. However, it is the social realism that he interspreds in his supernatural thrillers, which has seen him reach the zenith of popularity in Marathi literature.[1] Ninety-eight books written by him have been published so far.[2]
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[edit] Early life
Ratnakar Matkari was born in a Marathi Saraswat family in 1938. He did his graduation in economics from Mumbai University in 1958. He then worked in a bank, the Bank of India, till 1978, after which he devoted his career to writing, direction and production. He is married to artist Pratibha Matkari and stays in Mumbai at Dadar.
[edit] Literary career
Young Ratnakar Matkari had an affinity towards literature and writing and he used to write short stories as a teenager.[1] His first article, the one-act play "Vedi Manase" was published on February 16, 1955 for All India Radio in Mumbai. The one-act plays have seen participation in various All India Radio programs and other competitions. The first-ever presentation of any of his plays was that of 'Pahuni' in 1956, at Elphinstone College.[2] He has since published 98 literary pieces which include 33 dramas, 8 collective books of one-act plays, 18 books of short stories, 3 novels, 7 books of creative literature, 14 child-plays and three child-play collections. He has also published a book of children-songs. He is most well-known for combining social realism with supernatural thrillers, a pioneering idea at that time in Marathi literature. Many of his novellas have been adapted to the stage by other production houses as well.
He also worked as a columnist for popular newspapers and magazines in the 70s. He started with an article "Sahaj", which was published in 'Sobat' magazine in 1973. His first article for a popular newspaper was "Rangat" in Maharashtra Times. He then wrote the column "Soneri Savalya" in 'Aapale Mahanagar' for 4 years.
[edit] Theatre career
Ratnakar Matkari is well-known as the script-writer of many dramas and plays in Marathi as well as many other Indian languages. Apart from theatre, he has also directed a few TV serials.
Matkari is also well-known for his production work. His productions have helped popularize Marathi drama, even in Konkani regions like Goa, Sawantvadi and Karwar.[1] He is also credited for being one of the pioneers of the children's stage. In 1962, he established the "Bal Natya Sanstha" which has until now, produced 22 child-plays. Apart from commercial theatre, he has also worked in stabilizing art house theatre. In 1972, he established the parallel drama institute named "Sootradhaar" which has seen the production of 12 art-house dramas.
He has also performed as an actor in most of the children-dramas of 'Bal Natya Sanstha' through one-act plays like "Sangati", "Sharvari", "Chitratale Ghar" and "Tumchi Goshta". His one man shows like "Adbhutachya rajyat" have been popular amon the masses drawing praise from legends like Mangesh Tendulkar and others. He has also acted in dramas such as "Prem Kahani", "Vinashakadun vinashakade" and "Lokakatha 78".
[edit] Praise
Ratnakar Matkari has received praise from many critics and stalwarts of Marathi literature and theatre.
Legendary Marathi writer P.L. Deshpande has praised him by saying
During the last forty years, I have seen some of the dramas written by Matkari and I am surprised to see that, he has been able to maintain the same freshness in his writing as well as creativity during all those years. He has not selected the 'stage as his profession'. But he has taken a vow to publicize the drama. The status he has achieved in writing, direction as well as production, imply his innate skills and the everlasting loyalty towards stage.
Another legendary Marathi poet Shanta Shelke:
Enigmatic stories is the most attractive and fascinating manifestation of Matkari's creations. His enigmatic stories have achieved a lot of success. Ratnakar Matkari's enigmatic stories mostly relate to that part of life which is beyond comprehension. It will not be justifiable to include his stories as merely the entertaining or pleasing stories. The inspiration behind Matkari's enigmatic writing is much more thoughtful and serious. The vision of life reflected from his writing is no doubt very amazing and leads to happiness.But it is very pitiful, frightful and capable of making the minds numb to a very large extent at the same time.[3]
[edit] Awards and recognitions
Ratnakar Matkari has received numerous distinctions and many awards. He has so far received 21 awards from many, varied institutions. He has, most recently, won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Those include:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1986) for the script-writing of the film 'Maaze ghar, Maaza sansar'.
- Jyotsna Bhole Award of Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad (1978) for his work for Children-stage.
- 'Natya-darpan' Nana Oak Award for being an all-round artist.
- Deval Award from Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad (1985).
- The best drama-writer Award from Atre Foundation (1985).
- Maharashtra State Govt.'s Gadkari Award (1995) for being the top-most drama writer.
- Gangadhar Gadgil Award (1997).
- S.L.Gadre Matoshri Award (1998).
- 'Natyavrati' Award (1999).
- V.V.Shirwadkar Award for drama-writing (2002).
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003–04).
