The news of the passing away of noted playwright Dr. Vijay Tendulkar came as a shock to me. It brought back memories of his illustrious career.
Tendulkar was a leading contemporary Indian playwright, screen and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist and social commentator. For the past four decades he had been the most influential dramatist and theatre personality in Marathi. He had written 35 full-length plays, over 40 one-act plays, some plays for children, short stories and two novels. His newspaper columns, Kovali Unhe and Ramprahar were very popular with readers.
Among his works, Shantata! court chalu ahe (Silence! The Court Is in Session, 1967), Sakharam binder (Sakharam the Book-Binder, 1972), Kamala (1981), Kanyadan (The Gift of a Daughter, 1983), Ghashiram Kotwal (Ghashiram the Constable, 1972), a musical combining Marathi folk performance styles and contemporary theatrical techniques, are some of his famous plays. American actors performed English versions of Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam binder in the US. Many of his plays are translated in other languages. Besides these, his plays Gidhade, Ashi Pakhare Yeti and Baby were also acclaimed.
He also became an iconic screenplay writer in the Hindi film world as he scripted Ardhasatya, Akrosh, Aghat, Manthan, Nishant and Gehrai. He also left his mark in Marathi films with Samana, Simhasan, Umbartha and Akriet.
His works challenged conventional wisdom and forced us to think about harsh realities. Never been before, the stark contrasts of world we live in and world that also exists were so brazenly portrayed on theatre scene.
Tendulkar was born in Kolhapur and wrote his first story when only six. He went on to write his first play when he was 11 years old. He was a recipient of many awards —Sangeet Natak Academy, Saraswati Samman and Kalidas Samman.
Inspite of all the well deserved success that he achieved, he remained a humble man. His early days spent living in a chawl added a unqiue perspective to his writings.
My only privilege of interaction with him came during my graduation days in D.G. Ruparel college. It was December 2005 and we were making arrangements for our annual college festival "Kshitij". I was incharge of the literary events and I had decided to invite the great Vijay Tendulkar as Chief Guest and judge for the Marathi events. I was initially apprehensive to call him, as I was awed by his stature as a playwright and writer. However, the moment I heard him speak over the phone, all my fears were laid to rest. He was as humble and accomodating as anyone could be. He readily accepted the invitation.
However, few days before the festival, I received a call from him, expressing his pleasure at being invited and regret that he wouldn't be able to make it because of his ill health. He was so humble and nice. Those were my only interactions with him. I never got a chance to meet him face to face. And this regret would always remain.
May his soul rest in peace.
Tendulkar was a leading contemporary Indian playwright, screen and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist and social commentator. For the past four decades he had been the most influential dramatist and theatre personality in Marathi. He had written 35 full-length plays, over 40 one-act plays, some plays for children, short stories and two novels. His newspaper columns, Kovali Unhe and Ramprahar were very popular with readers.
Among his works, Shantata! court chalu ahe (Silence! The Court Is in Session, 1967), Sakharam binder (Sakharam the Book-Binder, 1972), Kamala (1981), Kanyadan (The Gift of a Daughter, 1983), Ghashiram Kotwal (Ghashiram the Constable, 1972), a musical combining Marathi folk performance styles and contemporary theatrical techniques, are some of his famous plays. American actors performed English versions of Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam binder in the US. Many of his plays are translated in other languages. Besides these, his plays Gidhade, Ashi Pakhare Yeti and Baby were also acclaimed.
He also became an iconic screenplay writer in the Hindi film world as he scripted Ardhasatya, Akrosh, Aghat, Manthan, Nishant and Gehrai. He also left his mark in Marathi films with Samana, Simhasan, Umbartha and Akriet.
His works challenged conventional wisdom and forced us to think about harsh realities. Never been before, the stark contrasts of world we live in and world that also exists were so brazenly portrayed on theatre scene.
Tendulkar was born in Kolhapur and wrote his first story when only six. He went on to write his first play when he was 11 years old. He was a recipient of many awards —Sangeet Natak Academy, Saraswati Samman and Kalidas Samman.
Inspite of all the well deserved success that he achieved, he remained a humble man. His early days spent living in a chawl added a unqiue perspective to his writings.
My only privilege of interaction with him came during my graduation days in D.G. Ruparel college. It was December 2005 and we were making arrangements for our annual college festival "Kshitij". I was incharge of the literary events and I had decided to invite the great Vijay Tendulkar as Chief Guest and judge for the Marathi events. I was initially apprehensive to call him, as I was awed by his stature as a playwright and writer. However, the moment I heard him speak over the phone, all my fears were laid to rest. He was as humble and accomodating as anyone could be. He readily accepted the invitation.
However, few days before the festival, I received a call from him, expressing his pleasure at being invited and regret that he wouldn't be able to make it because of his ill health. He was so humble and nice. Those were my only interactions with him. I never got a chance to meet him face to face. And this regret would always remain.
May his soul rest in peace.
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