Thunderous applause for Ghasiram Kotwal
VETERAN THEATRE personality Vijay Tendulkar?s popular play ?Ghasiram Kotwal?, first directed by theatre doyen late B V Karanth, was staged at Bharat Bhawan to a jam pack hall on Sunday. Staged by the artistes of Rangsanchar, the play has earned accolades all over the country and has carved a niche for itself in the Indian theatrical journey.
VETERAN THEATRE personality Vijay Tendulkar’s popular play ‘Ghasiram Kotwal’, first directed by theatre doyen late B V Karanth, was staged at Bharat Bhawan to a jam pack hall on Sunday. Staged by the artistes of Rangsanchar, the play has earned accolades all over the country and has carved a niche for itself in the Indian theatrical journey. Nevertheless, theatre lovers of Bhopal also didn’t miss out on the golden opportunity to pay their homage to the ace director and they gathered in large numbers to salute his timeless work that receives thunderous response whenever it is staged.
The play that was presented on the third and the last day under the ‘Adaranjali’ series, was organised by the cultural group on his fourth death anniversary.
The highly controversial albeit extensively performed play, reflects upon the life a simple Brahmin, Ghasiram, hailing from Kannauj who gets completely transformed into a veritable monster on account of being falsely implicated in theft by a group of snob Brahmins in Pune.
The play effectively portrays the moral and social corruption that crept into the privileged class during the Peshwa’s regime. The play, which is set in Pune, was by no means outdated, for its focus on the relationship between power and corruption seems to be relevant even today.
When Ghasiram uses his power to oppress the citizens of Pune, you can easily identify with him because he strikingly resembles any power drunk official of the present time, who would cross any limits to meet his selfish ends.
With spellbinding brilliance the senior as well as the junior artists managed to etch a comprehensive picture of how even near and dear ones are sacrificed, exploited, and used as pawns to achieve vicious goals. Lalita Gauri, Ghasiram’s beautiful daughter, is used by him to lure Peshwa’s chieftain, Nana Phadnawis, who in turn offers him the post of kotwal.
On being appointed as in-charge for law and order in the city, he translates the very opportunity to teach a lesson to his former tormentors and swears to take revenge, only to lose his daughter and his own life in the end, thus becoming a convenient tool in the hands of the reigning authority, who utilises the Kotwal’s skills to keep a check on the unruly Brahmins.
The high point of the play has always been the excellent score. The use of traditional songs and folk dances like ‘Lavni’ and ‘Tamasha’ to further the narrative were timeless; not to say that they rightfully managed to retain their original Marathi flavour. The musical play will remain in the memories of the city folks for a long time.