Sangeet Sharada

Sangeet Sharada
Written by Govind Ballal Deval
Characters
  • Bhujanganath
  • Bhadreshwar Dixit
  • Kodand
  • Sharada
  • Kanchanbhat
  • Indirakaku
Date premiered 1899
Original language Marathi
Subject Child marriage
Genre Social

Sangeet Sharada is an 1899 Marathi Sangeet Natak (Musical play), written and directed by playwright Govind Ballal Deval.[1] The play is considered as the first play in Marathi to showcase the social problems and broke the norms by dealing with the subject of child marriage when dramatic literature in India mainly focused on historical-mythological narrations.[2][3]

Over the period of time, various stage actors like Bal Gandharva, Vishnupant Pagnis,[4] Bhalchandra Pendharkar[5] have performed the lead role of Sharada. Going with the format of Sangeet Natak, play had more than 50 songs, penned and composed by Govind Ballal Deval himself and music attained a cult status over the period of time.[6]

The play "is considered to be a pioneer in social drama in India"[7] and gained the popularity in such a way that when the Child Marriage Restraint Act, proposed by Haribilas Sarda, also known "Sarda Act", was passed in 1929; it was mistaken to be named after the play as "Sharada Act".[1]

Plot

Bhujanganath, a geriatric widower, wants to marry one more time so that he can have heir to his property, thus befriends Bhadreshwar Dixit, a middleman, who would help him in finding a young bride. Though a well known person in the village, Dixit finds difficulties in getting a bride for Bhujanganath, as nobody agrees for the proposal because of his old age. Dixit convinces Bhujanganath to visit other villages to search for brides and advises him to behave like a wealthy person, which would make it easier to get a bride for Bhujanganath.

Both along with Kodand, a young orphaned Purohit, visit Gangapur and manage to convince people in the village that Bhujanganath is a rich and young man. Kanchanbhat who wishes to marry his young teenage daughter, Sharada, to a rich person hears about Bhujanganath's arrival in the village. He approaches Dixit with the help of one of his friends, Suvarnashastri and readily accepts the proposal when Dixit proposes INR 5000 as dowry in marriage. Indirakaku, Kanchanbhat's wife and Sharada's mother, disagrees for the marriage when she learns the truth about Bhujanganath. When Kodand visits Kanchanbhat's house along with Dixit, he opposes the marriage and threatens Dixit and Bhujanganath that he will tell the truth and will also lodge a complaint in the police station as the proposed marriage is planned between an old person and a teenager. Frightened Dixit locks Kodand in the basement.

With Kodand missing, villagers start inquiring about Bhujanganath and Dixit. Sharada, after meeting Bhujanganath in person, opposes for the marriage but her father Kanchanbhat does not pay any heed and starts the preparation for the marriage. With the help of a friend, Kodand manages to escape from the custody.

On the day of marriage, Kodand accompanied by police, reaches the marriage venue and exposes Bhujanganath and Dixit. Police arrests both of them. Sharada runs away from the venue and decides to commit suicide. But Kodand convinces Sharada and proposes her for the marriage. Sharada accepts the proposal and both of them decides to get married.

Characters

The play had number of characters. Some of them even had songs which were rendered by themselves.

  • Bhujanganath (Shrimant): a 75 year old widower
  • Kodand: an orphaned Purohit and male protagonist
  • Kanchanbhat: Sharada's father
  • Janhavi, Sharayu, Vallari, Mandakini, Triveni and Tunga: Sharada's friends

  • Bhadreshwar Dixit: a middleman
  • Sharada: a teenager, young bride and female protagonist
  • Indirakaku: Sharada's mother
  • Jayant: Sharada's younger brother

List of songs

The play, being a musical, had plenty of songs. All the songs were penned and composed by Govind Ballal Deval.

Act One
Track # Title Character Notes
01 "Shankarpad Vandi Aadhi" Chorus Naandi; Raag: Hameer; Taal: Chautal
02 "Saukhya Purna Devo Tumha" Chorus Naandi; Raag: Bahar; Taal: Tintal
03 "Abhiruchi Kona Shringarachi" Narrator Saki
04 "Parichit Jo Ya Rasikjana" Narrator Saki
05 "Ajuni Khula Ha Naad" Narrator Raag: Jhinjoti; Taal: Tintal
06 "Adoor Darshitwane Kewal" Narrator Saki
07 "Kaay Purush Chalale Bai" Narrator Raag: Pilu; Taal: Tintal
08 "Jarath Ituka Tari" Narrator Dindi
09 "Porasah Thor Kiti" Bhujanganath  
10 "Nivartali Ti, Tevhapasuni" Bhujanganath Katav
11 "Sundar Khashi Subak Thengani" Bhujanganath  
12 "Paushtik Balviryajanak Aushadhe" Bhujanganath  
13 "Pratakale Shiva Drushtava" Bhadreshwar Shlok
14 "Name Bramhan, Khara" Kodanda Saki
15 "Jatharanal Shamavaya Neecha" Kodanda Raag: Adana; Taal: Tintal
16 "Jo Bhed Vidhine" Kodanda  
17 "Ye Kaal Kasa Viparit" Kodanda  
18 "Ha Jarathkumarivivah" Kodanda  
19 "Anyadharmi Bhoopal Aaryabhucha" Kodanda Dindi
20 "Swarthi Ji Preeti Manujachi" Kodanda  
21 "Wani Taishi Karni" Kodanda Saki
22 "Jari Karin Sakal Khalkarya" Kodanda  
23 "Jari Varun Dhuvat Sovala" Kodanda  
24 "Baghuni Tya Bhayankar" Sharada  
25 "Jan Khulawale, Sakal Ulat Chalale" Sharada  
26 "Ish Chinta Nivaril Saari" Sharada Taal: Deepchandri
27 "Jaagrut Theva, Lagnachi Hi Smriti" Sharada Taal: Dadra
28 "Jay Krishnatatvasa" Sharada Raag: Sarang; Taal: Dadra
Act Two
Track # Title Character Notes
01 "Balpanich Kaal Sukhacha" Sharada Taal: Dhumali
02 "Kadhi Karti Lagna Majhe" Sharada  
03 "Jari Kuna Shrimantachi" Indirakaku  
04 "Tarun Kulin Gora" Indirakaku  
05 "Sawala Var Bara" Kanchanbhat  
06 "Agadich Tu Vedi" Kanchanbhat  
07 "Nako Vivahchi Majala" Bhujanganath  
08 "Madhyasthachi Ase Kushalata" Bhujanganath  
09 "Mee Nase Jari Bhyaad Jaaticha" Bhujanganath Kamada
10 "Maj Game Aisa" Kodand  
11 "Bimbadhara, Madhura" Kodand  
12 "Bhetato Me Jaavoni Bhrujangala" Kodand Dindi
13 "Man Kiti Utavil" Bhujanganath  
14 "Naka Karu Avichar" Kodand  
15 "Bal Jyache Tyas Te" Kanchanbhat  
16 "Swanahun Ati Neech Tumhi" Kodand  
17 "Tu Papi Adhamadham Khalakshaay" Kodand  
18 "Bhare Kapre, Bhrame Drushti" Kanchanbhat Saki
Act Three
Track # Title Character Notes
01 "Gheuni Ye Pankha Valyacha" Vallari  
02 "Shrimant Patichi Rani" Janhavi  
03 "Tu Shrimantin Khari Shobashil" Janhavi  
04 "Mhatara Na Ituka" Vallari  
05 "Jarathas Tarun Ho Stree Jari" Tunga  
06 "Murtimant Bhitee Ubhi" Sharada  
07 "Lagna Hoy Char Diwas" Bhujanganath  
08 "Yeil Majhi Bhavi Kanta" Bhujanganath  
09 "Kanthi Jhalake Angathi" Bhujanganath Dindi
10 "Vaatu Na Yaava Vishad Chitta" Sharada  
11 "Khachit Khachit He Nashibanche" Sharada  
12 "Drushti Bhare Jalbhor" Kodand  
13 "Jo Lokakalyan" Kodand  
14 "Kakdrushti Bhadreshwar Ghatak" Kodand Saki
15 "Radasi Kaay Mhanuni" Indirakaku  
16 "Aamhi Gaayi Jaatichya" Sharada  
17 "Tumhi Garib Mhanuni Jari Majha" Sharada Raag: Jog; Taal: Dhumali
18 "Yamapasha, Galyashi Jyas Lagala" Sharada  
19 "Maya Jalali Ka" Indirakaku Raag: Mand; Taal: Dadra
20 "Dilya Taruna Tari Hoti" Kanchanbhat Dindi
21 "Tu Taak Chiruni Hi Maan" Sharada  
Act Four
Track # Title Character Notes
01 "Lagna Navhe Maran Udya" Sharada  
02 "Maagil Janmiche, Atache" Sharada  
03 "Koni Kahi Naka Shikavu Aata" Sharada  
04 "Pal Ghadi, Ghadi Din Bhasatase" Bhujanganath  
05 "Bhalya Manasa, Daslakhachi Goshta" Bhujanganath Fatka
06 "Himnag Jo Pashanhriday" Vallari  
07 "Vruddhapani Ti Navadara" Janhavi  
08 "Jhala Sang Vivah" Chorus Sholk
09 "Bramhan Saare Jamala" Kodand  
10 "Aadhi Tujhya Ya Dukhane" Indirakaku  
11 "Mee Samaju Tari Kaay" Sharada  
12 "Mya Lotali Sankati" Kodand  
Act Five
Track # Title Character Notes
01 "Ghat Teen Dhanane Bharale" Kanchanbhat  
02 "Haal Ikadache Pahavaya Ka" Indirakaku  
03 "Nashibi Ase Nach Te Tale" Indirakaku Raag: Bhairavi; Taal: Tintal
04 "Te Kutil Kapati" Kodand  
05 "Bhumisadan Dhanahin Asa Mee" Kodand Saki
06 "Naagini Chapal Khaljivha" Kodand  
07 "Saday Shant Asasi Marana" Sharada  
08 "Jee Mala Janm De" Sharada  
09 "Thamb, Thamb, Karisi Asa" Kodand  
10 "Kaay Me Abhagini" Sharada Raag: Kanada; Taal: Dadra
11 "Ghei Mam Vachan He" Kodand  
12 "Haa Baldiwakar Kari" Kodand  
13 "Jevha Vaad Bhara Aala" Hriranyagarbha  
14 "Gruhalakshmi Hi Stree" Jagadguru Saki
15 "Jarathe Na Vivaha Karava" Kodand  
16 "Sumantrimandal Saarvabhaumini" Chorus  

In society

Prior to staging of Sangeet Sharada, plays with historical and mythological stories were popular in Marathi theater. With a message to abolish child marriage from society, the play became "a pioneer in social drama in India" in 1899.[7] The show gained popularity in such a way that when Child Marriage Restraint Act, also known as "Sarda Act" was passed, it was mistaken to be named after the play as "Sharada Act". Passed on September 28, 1929, the act was proposed by Haribilas Sarda and was actually called so after his surname.[1]

The songs of the drama still remain popular. The song "Mhatara Na Ituka" was used in 2011 Marathi film Balgandharva. Recently in January 2012, a modern version of the play Sangeet Sharada - A Reality Show was staged in Mumbai. The revived play gave a modern perspective to the play. All songs from the original drama were used; some used the new genre of music in them. The play was staged by employees of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.[8] In 2011, the play was also transliterated into Braille script.[9]

Incidentally, on 21 December 1909 while the play was being performed at the Vijayanand Natyagruha, Nashik, the then British Collector of Nashik, A. M. T. Jackson was shot dead by the freedom fighter Anant Laxman Kanhere.[10] The play was being performed by Annasaheb Kirloskar's Kirloskar Natak Mandali where the lead role of Sharada was being played by Bal Gandharva.[11]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gokhale, Shanta (April 15, 2009). "Beyond entertainment: Sangeet Sharada". Mumbai Mirror (Mumbai). The Times of India. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  2. Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. South Asia Books. ISBN 978-8172016494. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  3. Kasbekar Richards, Asha (2006). Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, And Lifestyle. ABC-CLIO. p. 336. ISBN 978-1851096367. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  4. "Stars: Vishnupant Pagnis (1892-1943)". Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  5. "Bapurao Pendharkar". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  6. Priya, Shashi (April 7, 2009). "Play on". Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Sahani, Alaka (July 11, 2011). "The Revival Drama". The Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  8. Manisha Nitsure Joshi (January 13, 2012). "आजची 'शारदा' येतेय!" (in Marathi). Mumbai: Maharashtra Times. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  9. Chatterjee, Swasti (December 6, 2011). "Compilation of five classic Marathi plays in Braille script released". Pune. The Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  10. Dr. Saral Dharankar. "अनंत कान्हेरे पराक्रम दिनाची परिणामकारकता" (in Marathi). Nasik: Loksatta. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  11. Y. D. Phadke (April 18, 2008). "कारनामा क्रांतिकारक कान्हेरेंचा..." (in Marathi). Mumbai: Maharashtra Times. Retrieved June 25, 2012.

External links

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