24 May, 2010

Marathi Natya-Sangeet - Annasaheb Kirloskar

Natya-Sangeet is form of Indian Classical and Semi-Classical Music. As per name it literally means Dramatic Act with Music. It is one of most popular type of Music in State of Maharashtra in India.

Natya-Sangeet has a vast history. There is a common misconception of Annasaheb Kirloskar as Pioneer in the Sangeet Nataks. But in 1879, Playwright and Producer Trilokeker (त्रिलोकेकर) presented his Sangeet Natak Nal-Damayanti (नल-दमयन्ती) which was the first Sangeet Natak on Marathi Stage.

Then came the Era of Balwant Pandurang or more commonly known as Annasaheb Kirloskar (अण्णासाहेब किर्लोस्कर), born in 1843, a school teacher from Belgaum, staged his first Musical Play Sangeet-Shakuntal (संगीत शाकुन्तल) on 31st October, 1880. Sangeet-Shakuntal was inspired from Abhidnyan Shakuntal (अभिज्ञानशाकुंतलं), a renowned Sanskrit Play by Kalidas (कालिदास). Sangeet-Shakuntal had an incredible 211 Musical Pieces of mixed Hindustani and Karnataki Classical Music with a hint of Lighter Music.

After a success of Sangeet-Shakuntal, next came Sangeet-Saubhadra (संगीत सौभद्र) in 1882. Annasaheb Kirloskar again acted in the play like Sangeet-Shakuntal. Sangeet-Saubhadra contained well over 100 Musical Pieces and surpassed the popularity of Sangeet-Shakuntal because of its multifaceted quality.

Ram Rajya Wiyog (राम राज्य वियोग) was presented next by Kirloskar in 1884. Audiences got to see first 3 acts of this Sangeet Natak. But before Kirloskar could finish the planned remaining 3 acts, sadly he died in 1885 at the age of 42.

For taking his overwhelming interest in Theater, Annasaheb Kirloskar formed Kirloskar Natak Mandali (किर्लोस्कर नाटक मंडळी) in 1874. Kirloskar Natak Mandali was prime performing company up to 1913 even Annasaheb Kirloskar died in 1885. After Kirloskar's death, company presented plays for Govind Ballal Deval (गोविंद बल्लाळ देवल) and Shripad Krushna Kolhatkar (श्रीपाद कृष्ण कोल्हटकर). Kirloskar Natak Mandali gave us great Singers-Actors like Bal Gandharv (बाल गंधर्व), Master Krushnarao (मास्टर कृष्णराव), Ganesh Bodas (गणेश बोडस), Govindrao Tembe (गोविंदराव टेंबे) etc. Kirloskar Natak Mandali folded in 1935.

After Annasaheb Kirloskar, came the era of various great people like Govind Ballal Deval (गोविंद बल्लाळ देवल), Shripad Krushna Kolhatkar (श्रीपाद कृष्ण कोल्हटकर), Nanasaheb Joglekar (नानासाहेब जोगळेकर), Kashinathpant Parchure (काशिनाथपंत परचुरे), Bal Gandharv (बाल गंधर्व), Master Dinanath Mangeshkar (मास्टर दिनानाथ मंगेशकर) etc. etc.

But instead of explaining everyone in one post, I will do that in my several post. This is my 1st Blog Post. Please comment on it.

For the songs in Sangeet-Shakuntal and Sangeet-Saubhadra, please refer website Athvanitil Gani by Alka Vibhas Tattu.

Sangeet-Shakuntal

Sangeet-Saubhadra

Sangeet-Ram Rajya Wiyog


Out of these two Sangeet Nataks my Favorite Songs

नभ मेघांनी आक्रमिले

राधाधर मधुमिलिंद जय जय

लग्नाला जातो मी

प्रिये पहा

All 4 Songs from संगीत सौभद्र.

9 comments:

  1. interesting blog....khup mahiti milaali...please continue writing,,,waiting for a post on baal gandharva, master dinaanaath etc...

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  2. धन्यवाद.
    कृपया अश्याच प्रतिक्रिया देत रहा. सध्या थोडा कामात व्यस्त आहे. पण लवकरच नवीन पोस्ट लिहीन.

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  3. manapasun dhanyavad mitra....

    aasach lihit raha...

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  4. Just finished reading of a book on Bal Gandharva. What an awesome person. Want to hear something from his great work.

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  5. I want songs from Sangeet varadan natak, please mail me mp6843@rediffmail.com

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  6. rich collection
    can i have information about Keshav rao badodkar ,a conemporary singer of bal Gandharva in kirloskar nataka mandali?

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  7. Tumchya blogcha patta dyal ka?anishmalkar@gmail.com. धन्यवाद.

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  8. plz.give your blogs addres on my I'd annaraobhusar@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete