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| Anand Owari |
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| Marathi, , minutes |
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Credits: |
Produced by: |
California Arts Association |
Writer : |
Di Ba Mokashi |
Art Direction,
Music Design
& Direction by: |
Atul Pethe |
Edited for the Stage by: |
Vijay Tendulkar |
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| Cast: |
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Kishore Kadam as 'Kanhoba'
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Synopsis: |
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The Owari (Verandah) outside the Vitthal Temple in Saint Tukaram's house, known as Anand Owari, was a witness to most of Tukaram's life. Once, Tukaram has disappeared as usual possibly lost in some deep spiritual trance. His younger brother, Kanhoba, unable to find him, gets frantic with the thought that he may have 'lost' Tukaram forever. He recalls Tukaram's spiritual journey, telling us about his life, his sensitive, revolutionary poetry and their relationship. He makes us come face to face with many perpetually important philosophical and social questions, including the validity of Tukaram's thought even today.
Vijay Tendulkar has edited Di. Ba. Mokashi's novel for the play. Directed by Atul Pethe, this tour de force establishes Kishore Kadam as an actor in the league of legendary performing artists in the world.
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About The Play: |
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Anand Owari is an important Marathi novel written by Late Di. Ba. Mokashi. Tukaram, as well of us know, was one of the most important Marathi saints from the Varkari Parampara He lived at Dehu, near Pune. The Vitthal Temple in his house at Dehu, had an Owari or Verandah outside it. This Owari was known as Anand Owari. Saint Tukaram wrote his verses on this Owari. This place was a witness to most of Tukaram's life.
The protagonist and narrator of this play is Kanhoba, Tukaram's younger brother. The moment at which the play starts, Tukaram has disappeared as usual He is possibly lost in some deep spiritual, philosophical trance, Which used to happen quite often. Kanhoba used to go in search of his brother on such occasions. However this time he is not able to find Tukaram at the usual places. Kanhoba gets worried. He gets frantic with the thought, that this time he may have "lost" Tukaram forever.
While searching for Tukaram, Kanhoba starts recalling the spiritual journey of his brother. He tells us about Tukaram's life, his sensitive, revolutionary poetry and their relationship with each other. While narrating, Kanhoba, himself a sensitive poet, also throws light on the social conditions of that period. Through his narrative, we come face to face with many perpetually important philosophical and social questions and also come to realize the validity of Tukaram's thought even today. |
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Director's Note: |
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This play has possessed me for the last 13 years. The story of Tukaram is rendered with a very different perspective in it. The play gives an intense portrait not only of Tukaram the man, but also of the restlessness of a creative and rebellious person.
The play raises questions related to out lives and makes us introspect. It explores pains and agonies of human life. Tukoba was a person like us, but witnessing the pain and joy of life, he is transformed. While living amongst people, he becomes different form them. He begins to look for the meaning of a true life, thinking that this world needs to be renounced; he begins to explore quite an other domain. His brother Kanhoba, however, continues to be a part of worldly activity and explores its complexity.
The language of the original novel is very lyrical and intense. This was a challenge while dramatising it. Even though there is a single character speaking, this is a conversation with several characters, and with himself. It moves freely between the past and the present. Nature plays a pivotal role in this play. We come across river, barren moors, jungles, farms, temples and various moments of the day and seasons. I have tried to explore the space and time with set design, lighting, costume and music.
I found that I could raise, as in all my previous plays, questions of human life and its complexities. It was worth exploring the possibility of relating and reinterpreting this rebellious character of our present day situation. |
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Di. Ba Mokashi (1915-1981) |
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Di. Ba. Mokashi was a renowned storywriter and novelist of Marathi literature. Simple and vivid language was the essence of his writing. He has in all 12 short story collections, 4 novels and 4 collections of articles to his credit. Out of these "Amod Sunasi Aale" "Wanwa" "Gupit" "Dev Chahale" received an award from the Maharasthra Government. |
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| Atul Pethe |
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Atul Pethe is a director, writer and actor of repute and is associated with theatre for more than twenty years. His "Waiting for Godot", "Premachi Goshta" and "Surya Pahilela Manus", received recognition in the national and international theatre festivals. Last year, he was adjudged the best director for the play "Ujalalya Disha" He now heads his own Audio-Visual and Film production company. |
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Kishore Kadam: |
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Kishore Kadam is a k.a. Soumitra is well known actor, director and poet. He received wide recognition in plays like "Gandhi Vs Gandhi" "Veda Chirebandi" and "Gandhi-Ambedkar".He was in the lead role of R.D. Karve in the film "Dhyasaparva" by Amol Palekar, for which he received "Best Actor Award" for the year 2000-01. |
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Available on VCD for Rs. 149/- |
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