Ghashiram Kotwal

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Ghashiram Kotwal
Directed by Jabbar Patel
Written by Vijay Tendulkar
Starring Mohan Agashe
Music by Bhaskar Chandavarkar
Cinematography Satish Alekar
Release dates 1972
Country  India
Language Marathi

Ghashiram Kotwal is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972 as a response to the rise of a local political party, Shiv Sena, in Maharashta.[1][2] The play is a political satire, written as historical drama. Based on the life of Nana Phadnavis (1741–1800), one of the prominent ministers in the court of the Peshwa of Pune. Its theme is how men in power give rise to ideologies to serve their purposes, and later destroy them when they become useless. It was first performed on 16 December 1972, by the Progressive Drama Association in Pune. Jabbar Patel's production of the play in 1973 is considered a classic in Modern Indian Theatre.[3]

History

The first show of this play was done on 16 December 1972 at Bharat Natya Mandir in Pune. The play saw a huge controversy and success in the following years. It made the trip to Europe in the year 1980. Later in the year 1986, the group also done plays in US and Canada. They also travelled to Russia, East Germany, Hungary etc.[4]

Synopsis

The play begins with an invocation to lord Ganesha. Then the Brahmins of Pune introduce themselves and we can see the morally corrupt state of affairs in Pune. Nana Phadnavis who is the Diwan (Chief Secretary) of Pune is also corrupt and visits the lavani dancer. Ghashiram is working with the lavani dancer. Ghashiram being a Brahmin goes to collect alms at the Peshwa's festival the next day. However he is ill-treated there and is charged with pick-pocketing and imprisoned for the offence. He then decides to take revenge.

Ghashiram barters his own daughter to get the post of Kotwal (police chief) of Pune from Nana. Having got the post he begins to enforce strict rules in the city. He starts asking for permits for everything and starts throwing people in jail for the smallest offences. In the mean time, Ghashiram's daughter is impregnated by Nana, and dies during childbirth. The situation goes out of hand when a few people in the jail die out of suffocation. The Brahmins then complain to the Peshwa. The Peshwa summons Nana who orders Ghashiram to be killed in the most derogatory way possible.

Style

The play is notable for the use of the "Tamasha" form in Marathi folk theatre. Singing and dancing are used here to good effect. "Abhangas" (devotional songs) are mixed with "Lavnis" (love songs).

Original cast and crew

Musicians

  • Music: Bhaskar Chandavarkar
  • Ravindra Sathe - manjiri/tal
  • Chandrakant Kale - Chipali
  • Ashok Gaikwad - Dholaki/Tabla
  • Prabhashankar Gaikwad - sundri
  • Shrikant Rajpathak - Mrudung
  • Shyam Bhende - Harmonium[5]

Controversy

This play caused a lot of controversy because some people believed that it hurt the feelings of the chitpavan Brahmin community and that it showed the statesman Nana Phadnavis in a bad light. Hence it was temporarily banned in the state.[6]

Film adaptation

The play was adapted into a film, 'Ghashiram Kotwal' (1976), which was the debut film of actor Om Puri. Film's screenplay was written by Vijay Tendulkar, himself.

Further reading

  • Ghashiram Kotwal, Vijay Tendulkar, Sangam Books, 1984. ISBN 81-7046-210-X.
  • Collected Plays in Translation: Kamala, Silence! the Court Is in Session, Sakharam Binder, the Vultures, Encounter in Umbugland, Ghashiram Kotwal, a Friend's Story, Kanyadaan. New Delhi, 2003, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-566209-1.
  • Vijay Tendulkar's Ghashiram Kotwal: a Reader's Companion. M. Sarat Babu, Asia Book Club, 2003. ISBN 81-7851-008-1.
  • Vijay Tendulkar's Ghashiram Kotwal: Critical Perspectives. Vinod Bala Sharma and M. Sarat Babu. 2005, Prestige Books, New Delhi. ISBN 81-7851-002-2.

References

  1. ↑ "Indo-American Arts Council, Inc". Iaac.us. Retrieved 2012-11-06. 
  2. ↑ "Sorry". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2012-11-06. 
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ 'घाशीराम' आनंदपर्व by Anand Modak
  5. ↑ 'घाशीराम' आनंदपर्व
  6. ↑ "`My writing has always been honest', Interview with Vijay Tendulkar.". The Frontline. Retrieved 2012-11-06. 

External links

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