Ghashiram Kotwal lives on in the memories of theatre lovers as it enters golden jubilee year

This seemingly historical musical was about Nana Phadnavis, a prominent minister in the court of the Peshwa in Pune and Ghashiram Kotwal, a poor Brahmin who rose to become city’s police chief

PUNE Eminent playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s iconic play Ghashiram Kotwal, written in 1972, begins its golden jubilee year. As it enters the 50th year, the play that stirred socio-political canvass of Maharashtra, is still relevant.

Vijay Tendulkar’s iconic play Gashiram Kotwal, which was written in 1972, begins its golden jubilee year. The play was directed by Jabbar Patel and Mohan Agashe played Nana Phadnavis. (HT PHOTO)

This seemingly historical musical was about Nana Phadnavis, a prominent minister in the court of the Peshwa in Pune and Ghashiram Kotwal, a poor Brahmin who rose to become city’s police chief. Playwright Vijay Tendulkar was accused of turning a cult hero, Phadnavis, into a Marathi Machiavelli — who was corrupt, scheming and sexually exploited women. The effect of which still rings true to today’s world.

“When Vijay Tendulkar wrote the play, it was to comment on stronghold of absolute power and corruption. It is a metaphor that still holds good where corruption shows us the fall of values even after the play stopped performing post 1992,” said Satish Alekar, playwright who also assisted Dr Jabbar Patel directing the play.

According to Alekar, Ghanshiram Kotwal has become more relevant where the play of power is distinctly visible on democratic encroachment.

The play,with its critical comment on society, through the characters of Nana Phadnavis and Ghashiram Kotwal shedding light on various discourses – class, caste, gender, sexuality and human tendencies has made an impact on the theatre scene and also changed the lives of many actors.

The play Ghashiram Kotwal is a story, in prose, verse, music and dance set in a historical era, it is infact a critique on events that are relevant in the past, present and also in the future. For Shriram Ranade, who first stepped on the stage at Bharat Natya Mandir on December 16, 1972 in the role of the ‘sutradhar’ (narrator) for Dr Jabbar Patel’s directed first play for the Maharashtra State Drama Competition, it has been a journey of evolving himself as an actor. “I acted with Ghashiram Kotwal for 20 years, playing the role of the sutradhar, little did I know that this play will make my decision to take acting seriously and am glad I did. This role made me look at the society with a different view, where nothing has still changed, where greed, avarice and power still rule. This is indeed a milestone play, which helped me become a better person in life.”

Dr Jabbar Patel, said, “Ghashiram Kotwal is a Marathi musical play, written by Tendulkar in the year 1972. It has been translated into various languages and staged worldwide. We are just at the beginning of the 50th year , so, wait for it to complete 50 years before we can comment on it.”