30 May, 2010

Marathi Natya-Sangeet - Govind Ballal Deval

As like Annasaheb Kirloskar (अण्णासाहेब किर्लोस्कर), I will cover one of the prominent personality in Sangeet-Nataks - Govind Ballal Deval (गोविंद बल्लाळ देवल). Born in 1855, he is considered among the leading dramatist from Maharashtra.

Deval was originally influenced by Annasaheb Kirolskar. He joined his Kirloskar Natak Mandali (किर्लोस्कर नाटक मंडळी) at around 1875 (while still in high-school) as an actor and because of his tallent, he soon became Associate Director in no time. In Sangeet-Shakuntal (संगीत शाकुन्तल) first play by Annasaheb Kirloskar, Deval composed the lyrics and music of the many of the Musical Pieces.

After the death of Annasaheb Kirloskar, Deval carried forward his work with Kirloskar Natak Mandali. He worked as a playwright, an actor and a play director. In 1894, he founded his own Aryoddharak Natak Mandali(आर्योद्धरक नाटक मंडळी) in Pune. And in 1913, he joined Gandharv Natak Mandali (गंधर्व नाटक मंडळी) founded by Bal Gandharv (बाल गंधर्व).

While working with Kirloskar and in later stages, Deval wrote some his own Nataks as well. But not all of those were Sangeet Nataks. His famous Sangeet Nataks includes Sangeet Shap-Sambhram (संगीत शाप-संभ्रम), Sangeet-Mruchchhakatik (संगीत मृच्छकटिक), Sangeet-Sharada (संगीत शारदा), Sangeet-SanshayKallol (संगीत संशयकल्लोळ), Sangeet-Jhunjarrao (संगीत झुंझारराव). All Sangeet Nataks were very successful and Sangeet-Sharada and Sangeet-SanshayKallol are still played on Marathi Theaters.

Govind Ballal Deval died in 1916, just after 3 years joining Gandharv Natak Mandali. He was a Mentor and a Guru to many famous actors in Sangeet Nataks like Shripad Krushna Kolhatkar (श्रीपाद कृष्ण कोल्हटकर), Nanasaheb Joglekar (नानासाहेब जोगळेकर), Kashinathpant Parchure (काशिनाथपंत परचुरे), Ganesh Bodas (गणेश बोडस), Bal Gandharv (बाल गंधर्व). He along with Vishnudas Bhave (विष्णुदास भावे) and Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar (कृष्णाजी प्रभाकर खाडिलकर) was regarded as Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu of Marathi Theater. He worked a lot in the Social Problems. In his Sangeet Natak Sangeet-Sharada he criticized the inhuman customs of marrying young girls with grown up widowers. In his honour British Raj legally banned that custom and gave it name Sharada Act.

For the songs in Sangeet-Mruchchhakatik, Sangeet-Sharada and Sangeet-SanshayKallol please refer website Athvanitil Gani by Alka Vibhas Tattu.

Sangeet-Mruchchhakatik

Sangeet-Sharada

Sangeet-SanshayKallol

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.