Re: Natsamratmarathinatakpdf23
Joao Charlesbois
Natsamrat: A Marathi Classic by V. V. Shirwadkar
Natsamrat is a Marathi play written by the renowned poet and playwright V. V. Shirwadkar, also known as Kusumagraj. The play was first staged in 1970 and has since become a classic of Marathi literature and theatre. Natsamrat means "King of Actors" and the play revolves around the life of a retired stage actor, Appasaheb Belwalkar, who has played various roles from Shakespeare to Kalidasa. The play explores the themes of art, identity, pride, family, betrayal, and tragedy through the character of Appasaheb, who faces various challenges and hardships in his old age.
The play has been adapted into several films and television shows, most notably the 2016 Marathi film starring Nana Patekar as Appasaheb, which was a critical and commercial success. The play has also been translated into several languages, including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Kannada, and Oriya. The play is considered to be one of the finest works of V. V. Shirwadkar, who was awarded the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour in India, in 1987.
Plot Summary
The play begins with Appasaheb Belwalkar and his wife Kaveri celebrating their 60th birthday with their children and grandchildren. Appasaheb is a retired stage actor who has played various roles from Shakespeare to Kalidasa with great acclaim. He is revered by his fans and fellow actors as Natsamrat. However, he is also a proud and stubborn man who does not compromise on his principles and values. He decides to give away all his wealth and property to his children and live a simple life with his wife. He hopes that his children will take care of him and respect him in his old age.
However, things do not go as planned for Appasaheb. His son Makarand and daughter-in-law Vidya treat him poorly and insult him for his acting career. They also try to take away his pension and savings. Appasaheb feels humiliated and decides to leave their house with his wife. He goes to live with his daughter Vidya and son-in-law Ravi, who are more sympathetic to him. However, they also face financial difficulties and Ravi loses his job due to Appasaheb's interference. Appasaheb realizes that he has become a burden for them and decides to leave their house as well.
Appasaheb and Kaveri wander from place to place, facing various hardships and humiliations. They meet some of their old friends and colleagues from the theatre world, who offer them help and support. However, Appasaheb refuses to accept any charity or pity from anyone. He also rejects the offer of his former co-actor Ganpatrao Belwalkar, who is now a successful film producer, to act in his films. Appasaheb feels that acting in films is a compromise on his art and dignity.
Appasaheb's pride and ego also cause him to lose some of his closest friends and well-wishers. He quarrels with his friend Ramakant Karkhanis over a trivial matter and breaks their friendship of 40 years. He also insults his friend Rambhau Damle, who is a journalist and critic, for writing a negative review of his performance in a play. He accuses Rambhau of being jealous of him and betraying him.
Appasaheb's life takes a tragic turn when Kaveri dies due to an illness. He is devastated by her death and feels lonely and helpless. He also suffers from memory loss and dementia due to old age. He starts hallucinating about his past roles and characters from Shakespeare's plays. He often recites dialogues from King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, etc., as if he is still on stage.
The play ends with Appasaheb being found dead on the street by a beggar named Krishna Kanji Bhatkar, who is also an aspiring actor. Krishna recognizes Appasaheb as Natsamrat and pays homage to him by covering his body with a shawl that has the names of Shakespeare's plays written on it.
Analysis
Natsamrat is a play that explores the complex relationship between art and life, between the actor and the role, between the self and the society. The play portrays the plight of an artist who has dedicated his life to his art but finds himself alienated from his family and society in his old age. The play also raises questions about the value and meaning of art in a changing world, where commercialism and mediocrity are dominant.
The play is also a tribute to the genius and legacy of Shakespeare, whose plays have influenced and inspired generations of writers and actors. The play uses Shakespeare's dialogues and characters to create a parallel between Appasaheb's life and the tragedies of Shakespeare's heroes. The play also shows how Shakespeare's plays are relevant and universal, as they reflect the human condition and emotions.
The play is also a reflection of the socio-cultural and historical context of Maharashtra in the 20th century, where Marathi theatre was a prominent and influential form of art and expression. The play depicts the glory and decline of Marathi theatre, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by the artists and audiences. The play also portrays the diversity and richness of Marathi language and culture, as well as the conflicts and contradictions within it.
Conclusion
Natsamrat is a Marathi play that has become a classic of Marathi literature and theatre. The play is written by V. V. Shirwadkar, who is one of the most celebrated poets and playwrights of India. The play tells the story of Appasaheb Belwalkar, a retired stage actor who has played various roles from Shakespeare to Kalidasa. The play explores the themes of art, identity, pride, family, betrayal, and tragedy through the character of Appasaheb, who faces various challenges and hardships in his old age. The play is also a tribute to Shakespeare, whose plays have influenced and inspired generations of writers and actors. The play is also a reflection of the socio-cultural and historical context of Maharashtra in the 20th century, where Marathi theatre was a prominent and influential form of art and expression.
The play has been adapted into several films and television shows, most notably the 2016 Marathi film starring Nana Patekar as Appasaheb, which was a critical and commercial success. The play has also been translated into several languages, including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Kannada, and Oriya. The play is considered to be one of the finest works of V. V. Shirwadkar, who was awarded the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour in India, in 1987.
If you are interested in reading or watching Natsamrat, you can find some resources below:
- You can download a PDF version of the original Marathi play from [here].
- You can watch the full Marathi film starring Nana Patekar from [here].
- You can read an English translation of the play by Gauri Deshpande from [here](https://www.amazon.in/Natsamrat-V-V-Shirwadkar/dp/8171853230).