Vijay Tendulkar

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Vijay Tendulkar

Born Vijay Dhondopant Tendulkar
January 6, 1928(1928-01-06)
Kolhāpur, Mahārāshtra, India
Died May 19, 2008 (aged 80)
Pune, India

Vijay Tendulkar (Marathi:विजय तेंडुलकर) (January 6, 1928 - May 19, 2008) was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi. He is best known for his plays, Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (1967), Ghāshirām Kotwāl (1972), and Sakhārām Binder (1972).Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration from real-life incidents or social upheavals, which provides clear light on harsh realities. He provided his guidance to students studying “Playwright writing” in US universities. For over five decades, Tendulkar had been a highly influential dramatist and theater personality in Mahārāshtra.

Contents

Early life

Vijay Dhondopant Tendulkar was born on January 6, 1928 in a Bhalavalikar Saraswat brahmin family in Kolhapur, Maharashtra[citation needed], where his father held a clerical job and ran a small publishing business. The literary environment at home prompted young Vijay to take up writing. He wrote his first story at age six.

He grew up watching western plays, and felt inspired to write plays himself. At age eleven, he wrote, directed, and acted in his first play[1].

At age 14, he participated in the 1942 Indian freedom movement [2], leaving his studies. The latter alienated him from his family and friends. Writing then became his outlet, though most of his early writings were of a personal nature, and not intended for publication.

Early career

Tendulkar began his career writing for newspapers. He had already written a play, "Āmchyāvar Kon Prem Karnār" (Who will Love us?), and he wrote the play, "Gruhastha" (The Householder), in his early 20s. The latter did not receive much recognition from the audience, and he vowed never to write again [3]. Breaking the vow, in 1956 he wrote "'Shrimant", which established him as a good writer. "Shrimant" jolted the conservative audience of the times with its radical storyline, wherein an unmarried young woman decides to keep her unborn child while her rich father tries to "buy" her a husband in an attempt to save his social prestige.

Tendulkar's early struggle for survival and living for some time in tenements ("chāwls") in Mumbai provided him first-hand experience about the life of urban lower middle class. He thus brought new authenticity to their depiction in Marathi theater[4]. Tendulkar's writings rapidly changed the storyline of modern Marathi theater in the 1950s and the 60s, with experimental presentations by theater groups like "Rangāyan". Actors in these theater groups like Shreerām Lāgoo, Mohan Agāshe, and Sulabhā Deshpānde brought new authenticity and power to Tendulkar's stories while introducing new sensibilities in Marathi theater[5].

Tendulkar wrote the play, "Gidhāde" (The Vultures) in 1961, but it was not produced until 1970. The play was set in a morally collapsed family structure and explored the theme of violence. In his following creations, Tendulkar explored violence in its various forms: domestic, sexual, communal, and political. Thus, "Gidhāde" proved to be a turning point in Tendulkar's writings with regard to establishment of his own unique writing style[6].

Based on a 1956 short story, "Die Panne" ("Traps") by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Tendulkar wrote the play, "Shāntatā! Court Chālu Aahe" ("Silence! The Court Is In Session"). It was presented on the stage for the first time in 1967, and proved as one of his finest works. Satyadev Dubey presented it in movie form in 1971 with Tendulkar's collaboration as the screenplay writer[7].

1970s and '80s

In his 1972 play, Sakhārām Binder (Sakhārām, the Binder), Tendulkar dealt with the topic of domination of the male gender over the female gender. The main character, Sakhārām, is a man devoid of ethics and morality, and professes not to believe in "outdated" social codes and conventional marriage. He accordingly uses the society for his own pleasure. He regularly gives "shelter" to abandoned wives, and uses them for his sexual gratification while remaining oblivious to the emotional and moral implications of his exploits. He justifies all his acts through claims of modern, unconventional thinking, and comes up with hollow arguments meant in fact to enslave women. Paradoxically, some of the women which Sakhārām had enslaved buy into his arguments and simultaneously also badly want freedom from their enslavement[8].

In 1972, Tendulkar wrote another, even much more acclaimed play, Ghāshirām Kotwāl ("Ghāshirām, the Constable"), which dealt with political violence. The play is a political satire created as a musical drama set in 18th century Pune. It combined traditional Marathi folk music and drama with contemporary theater techniques, creating a new paradigm for Marathi theater. The play demonstrates Tendulkar's deep study of group psychology [9], and it brought him a "Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship" (1974-75) for a project titled, "An Enquiry Into the Pattern of Growing Violence in Society and Its Relevance to Contemporary Theatre". With over six thousand performances thus far in its original and translated versions, "Ghāshirām Kotwāl" remains one of the longest-running plays in the history of Indian theater.

Tendulkar wrote screenplays for the movies Nishānt (1974), Ākrosh (The Cry) (1980), and Ardh Satya (The Half-Truth) (1984), established him as an important "Chronicler of Violence" of the present times[10]. He has written eleven movies in Hindi and eight movies in Marathi. The latter include Sāmanā ("Confrontation") (1975), Simhāasan ("Throne") (1979), and Umbarthā ("The Threshold") (1981). The last one is a groundbreaking feature film on women's activism in India. It was directed by Jabbar Patel, and stars Smitā Pātil and Girish Karnād.

1990s and beyond

In 1991, Tendulkar wrote a metaphorical play, "Safar"[11], and in 2001 he wrote the play, "The Masseur". He wrote, next, two novels, "Kādambari: Ek" and "Kādambari: Don", about sexual fantasies of an aging man. In 2004, he wrote a single-act play, "'His Fifth Woman" --his first play in the English language-- as a sequel to his earlier exploration of the plight of women in "Sakhārām Binder". This play was first performed at the "Vijay Tendulkar Festival" in New York in October 2004[12].

In the 1990s, Tendulkar wrote an acclaimed TV series, "SwayamSiddha", in which his daughter, Priyā Tendulkar, performed in the lead role.

His son Raja and wife Nirmala both died in 2001, and were shortly followed by his daughter, noted actress Priya Tendulkar, in 2002.

Death

Vijay Tendulkar died in Pune on May 19, 2008[13], after five weeks at the Prayag Hospital battling the effects of myasthenia gravis.[14]

Legacy

In his writing career spanning more than five decades, Tendulkar has written 27 full-length plays and 25 one-act plays. Several of his plays have proven to be Marathi theater classics [15]. His plays have been translated and performed in many Indian languages[16].

By providing insight into major social events and political upheavals during his adult life, Tendulkar became one of the strongest radical political voices in Maharashtra in recent times. While contemporary writers were cautiously exploring the limits of social realism, he jumped into the cauldron of political radicalism, and courageously exposed political hegemony of the powerful and the hypocrisies in the Indian social mindset. His powerful expression of human angst has resulted in his simultaneously receiving both wide public acclaim, and high censure from the orthodox and the political bigwigs[17].

Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration from real-life incidents or social upheavals. Thus, the rise of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra in the 1970s was reflected in Tendulkar's "Ghāshirām Kotwāl". [18]. The true story of a journalist who purchased of a woman from the rural sex industry in order to reveal police and political involvement in this trade, only to abandon the woman once he had no further need for her, is detailed in Tendulkar's "Kamalā" [19][20]. The real-life story of an actress whose acting career got ruined after her same-sex affair became public knowledge inspired Tendulkar to write "Mitrāchi Goshta"[21].

Tendulkar has translated nine novels, two biographies, and five plays by other authors into Marathi.

Besides the foregoing, Tendulkar's oeuvre includes a biography; two novels; five anthologies of short stories; 16 plays for children, including "Bāle Miltāt" (1960) and "Pātlāchyā Poriche Lagin" (1965); and five volumes of literary essays and social criticism, including "Ratrani" (1971), "Kowali Unhe" (1971), and "Phuge Sobānche" (1974). All in all, Tendulkar's writings have contributed to a significant transformation of the modern literary landscape in both Marathi and other Indian languages.

In 2005, a documentary titled "Tendulkar Āni Himsā: Kāl Āni Āj' ("Tendulkar and Violence: Then and Now") with English subtitles[22] (produced by California Arts Association - CalAA - [23] directed by Atul Pethe) was released. In 2007, a short film about Tendulkar, "Ankahin" (Director Santosh Ayachit), was released [24].

Awards

Tendulkar won Maharashtra State government awards in 1956, 1969 and 1972; and "Mahārāshtra Gauruw Puraskār" in 1999. He was honored with the Sangeet Nātak Akademi Award in 1970, and again in 1998 with the Academy's highest award for "lifetime contribution", the Sangeet Nātak Akademi Fellowship ("Ratna Sadasya")[25]. In 1984, he received the Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India for his literary accomplishments.

In 1977, Tendulkar won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for his screenplay of Shyām Benegal's movie, Manthan (1976). He has written screenplays for many significant art movies, such as Nishānt, Ākrosh, and Ardh Satya.

A comprehensive list of awards is given below:

Bibliography

Novels

  • Kādambari: Ek (Novel: One) (1996)
  • Kādambari: Don (Novel: Two) (2005)

Short Story Anthologies

  • Dwandwa ((Duel) (1961)
  • Phulāpākhare (Butterflies) (1970)

Plays

  • Gruhastha (Householder) (1947)
  • Shrimant (The Rich) (1956)
  • Mānoos Nāwāche Bet (An Island Named 'Man') (1958)
  • Thief! Police!
  • Bāle Miltāt (1960)
  • Gidhāde (The Vultures) (1961)
  • Pātlāchyā Poriche Lagin (Marriage of a Village Mayor's Daughter) (1965)
  • Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe(Hindi: Khāmosh! Adālat Jāri Hai) (Silence! The Court is in Session) (1967)
  • Ajgar Ani Gandharwa (A Boa Constrictor and "Gandharwa")
  • Sakharam Binder (Sakhārām, the Book-Binder) (1972)
  • Kamalā ("Kamala") (1981)
  • Mādi [in Hindi]
  • Kanyādān (Giving Away of a Daughter in Marriage) (1983)
  • Anji
  • Dāmbadwichā Mukābalā (Encounter in Umbugland)
  • Ashi Pākhare Yeti (Hindi: Panchi Aise Aate Hain) (Thus Arrive the Birds)
  • Kutte
  • Safar/Cyclewallah (The Cyclist) (1991)
  • The Masseur (2001)
  • Pāhije Jātiche (It Has to Be in One's Blood)
  • Jāt Hi Poochho Sādhu Ki (Ask a Fakir's Lineage)
  • Mājhi Bahin (My Sister)
  • Jhālā Ananta Hanumanta ("Infinite" Turned "Hanumanta")
  • Footpāyrichā Samrāt (Sidewalk Emperor)
  • Mitrāchi Goshta (A Friend's Story) (2001)
  • Anand Owari [A play based on a novel by D. B. Mokashi]
  • Bhāu MurārRāo
  • Bhalyākākā
  • Mee Jinkalo Mee Haralo (I won, I Lost)
  • His Fifth Woman [in English] (2004)
  • Bebi

Musicals

Translations

Tendulkar's Works Available in English

  • Silence! The Court Is in Session (Three Crowns). Priya Adarkar (Translator), Oxford University Press, 1979.ISBN 0195603133.
  • Ghashiram Kotwal, Sangam Books, 1984 ISBN 817046210X.
  • The Churning, Seagull Books, India, 1985 ISBN 0856471208.
  • The Threshold: (Umbarthā - Screenplay), Shampa Banerjee (Translator), Sangam Books Ltd.,1985 ISBN 0861320964.
  • Five Plays (Various Translators), Bombay, Oxford University Press, 1992 ISBN 0195637364.
  • The Last Days of Sardar Patel and The Mime Players: Two Screen Plays New Delhi, Permanent Black, 2001 ISBN 8178240181.
  • Modern Indian Drama: An Anthology Sāhitya Akademi, India, 2001 ISBN 8126009241.
  • Mitrāchi Goshta : A Friend’s Story: A Play in Three Acts Gowri Ramnarayan (Translator). New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2001 ISBN 0195653173.
  • Kanyādān, Oxford University Press, India, New Ed edition, 2002 ISBN 0195663802.
  • Collected Plays in Translation New Delhi, 2003, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195662091.
  • The Cyclist and His Fifth Woman: Two Plays by Vijay Tendulkar Balwant Bhaneja (Translator), 2006 Oxford India Paperbacks ISBN 0195676408.

Filmography

Screenplays

  • Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (Silence! The Court Is in Session) (1972)
  • Nishant (End of Night) (1975)
  • Samana (Confrontation) (1975)
  • Manthan (Churning) (1976)
  • Simhasan (Throne) (1979)
  • Gehrayee (The Depth) (1980)
  • Aakrosh (Cry of the Wounded) (1980)
  • Akriet (Unimaginable) (1981)
  • Umbartha (The Threshold) (1981)
  • Ardh Satya (Half Truth) (1983)
  • Kamala (Kamala) (1984)
  • Sardar (1993)
  • Yeh Hai Chakkad Bakkad Bumbe Bo (2003)
  • Eashwar Mime Co. (The Mime Players) (2005)

Dialogues

  • Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978)

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Vijay Tendulkar profile at indiaclub
  2. ^ The Frontline, Dec., 2005
  3. ^ The Hindi, Feb 02, 2003
  4. ^ The Tribune, October 3, 2004
  5. ^ Shanta Gokhale, Theatre critic and writer
  6. ^ Violence 'Gidhade' and beyond
  7. ^ Shāntatā! Court Chālu Aahe at the Internet Movie Database
  8. ^ THEATER REVIEW, 'SAKHARAM BINDER' NY Times
  9. ^ Lokvani, 07/30/2003
  10. ^ Ashis Nandy on Violence in Vijay Tendulkar's works
  11. ^ An Introduction to 'The Cyclist', 2001s
  12. ^ Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), Vijay Tendulkar Festival, New York City, October 2004
  13. ^ "Playwright Vijay Tendulkar passes away". NDTV.com (2008-05-19). Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  14. ^ "Vijay Tendulkar, voice of social stage, is dead". The Telegraph (May 20, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  15. ^ Profile at Oxford University Press
  16. ^ The Indian Express, October 20, 1999
  17. ^ Vijay Tendulkar speaks to NDTV
  18. ^ The Indian Express, October 20, 1999
  19. ^ Kamala story 1981
  20. ^ Kamala at salaamtheatre
  21. ^ A study of the play and book, Mitrachi Goshta: A Friend's Story
  22. ^ The Times of India, Jan 2007
  23. ^ California Arts Association (CalAA)
  24. ^ The Hindu, Jan 20, 2007
  25. ^ Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
  26. ^ The Little Magazine - Salam and New Writing Awards

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijay_Tendulkar"

This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

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