Question: Write a detail note on Vijay Tendulkar Life,
Works and Marathi Drama.
(written
by students- Jyoti, Bhumi, Kaushika)
Preface:-
Drama
in Indian languages has a remarkable growth in the recent decades. In
Post-Independence era, contemporary Indian Drama in English gives a brutal
account of the social and political realities. Vijay Tendulkar is the most
prolific and controversial dramatist among the Post-Independence Indian
playwright. His plays concentrate on different aspect of the human character
and complexity of human relationship.
Let's
discuss Vijay Tendulkar's life, works and Marathi drama.
His Life:-
Vijay Dhondo Tendulkar was born on January 6,
1928 in a Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmin family in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 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. At age
14, he participated in the 1942 Indian freedom movement 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.
Vijay Tendulkar was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television
writer, literary essayist, political journalist and social commentator
primarily in Marathi. His prolific writing over a period of five decades
includes 30 full- length plays, 23 one act plays, 11 children's drama, 4
collection of short-stories, 2 novel and 5 volumes to literary essay and social
criticism. He is an important translator in Marathi, having rendered nine
novels and two biographies as well as five plays. He is the author of original
stories and screen plays for eight films in Marathi. He has written television
serials in Hindi.
Many of Tendulkar's play derived inspiration from real life incidents or
social upheavals, which provide clear light on harsh realities. He provided his
guidance to students studying "playwright writing" is use
universities. For over five decades, Tendulkar has been a highly influential
dramatist and theater personality in Maharashtra. He has been honored with
several awards such as-
- Sangeet Natak Academy
Award,
- Padma Bhushan Award,
- Maharashtra State
Government Award,
- Kamladevi
Chattopadhyay Award.
Such a leading contemporary Indian playwright, Vijay Tendulkar, died in
Pune on May 19, 2008. He shows the position of women in contemporary Indian
society through his women characters.
So, let's discuss Vijay Tendulkar's Works.
Vijay Tendulkar's Works:-
Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration
from real- life incidents. He is concerned with social and political themes.
Tendulkar and his contemporaries were influenced by certain foreign playwright
like Henry- Ibsen, Shaw, Strindberg and Brecht etc. His best known for his
plays,
- "Shantata ! Court Chalu Ahe"
- "Ghashiram Kotwal"
- "Sakharam Binder"
Tendulkar's different plays like,
"Manus navache
bet" (An Island called Man-1955), "Madhya Bhinti" (The walls
Between-1958), "Chimanicha ghar hota menacha" (Nest of Wax-1958),
"Mee jinklo Mee harlo" (I won, I Lost -1963), "Kavlanchi
shala"(school for Crows-1963). His 1968 play, "Shantata ! court chalu
ahe (Silence ! The court is in session) brought him national recognition and a
number of awards followed among them the most prominent being the Kamaladevi
Chattopadhyay Award and Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1971. He first came into
prominence in the 1950s and 1960s with one - act plays like,
- "Ratra" (1957)
- "Ajagar ani
gandharva" (1966)
- "Bhekad" (1969).
Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration from real - life incidents
or social upheavals. Thus, the rise of Shivsena in Maharashtra in the 1970s was
reflected in Tendulkar's play "Ghashiram Kotwal". The true story of
journalist who purchased of a woman from the rural sex industry 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 play
"Kamala". "Kanyadaan" is a complex play about the cultural
and emotional upheavals a family. It deals with the violence in the
subconscious of a Dalit poet who is married to the daughter of an inexperienced
and young socialist.
In a parallel journalistic career he has been the assistant editor of
"Loksatta" and for a long time wrote a daily column for the
"Maharashtra Times". He has translated plays from other languages,
among them Mohan Rakesh's "Adhe Adhure" (from the original Hindi) and
Girish Karnad's "Tughlaq" (from the original kannada) and some of the
plays of the American dramatist, Tennessee Williams. He is also an accomplished
photographer and has published a collection of photographs called
"Chehare" (faces)
Thus, Vijay Tendulkar's plays concentrate on different aspect of the
human character complexity of human relationship. As Tendulkar's plays show, he
is an individual deeply immersed in his times, Vijay Tendulkar is an eminent
Marathi playwright.
So, let's discuss Marathi Drama.
Marathi Drama:-
There have been quite a few forms of Marathi Theatre in existence in the
last hundred years and more. The urban theatre is divided into two: the first
is the touring professional theatre with its center in Mumbai and the second is
the parallel theatre which comes into existence as a rejection of the
mainstream theatre with Nagpur, Poona and Mumbai as its center. Marathi theatre
is theatre in Marathi language, mostly originating or based in the state
Maharashtra in India. Starting in the middle of 19th century it flourished in
the 1950 and 1960 and includes forms like Sangeet Natak (Musical drama) and
Tamasha (folk dance). Its repertoire ranges from humorous social plays, farces,
historical plays, musical to experimental plays and serious drama of the 1970
onwards by Vijay Tendulkar, P.L.Deshpande, Mahesh Elkunchwar and Satish Alekar,
which have influenced theatre throughout India. The folk forms of Marathi
theatre have been alive for centuries as ritual or seasonal entertainment.
Dasavatar and Tamasha two of its main types have been in existence in one form
or the other.
So, let's discuss Dasavatar and Tamasha.
·
Dasavatar and Tamasha:-
These two types changed with the changing
times and remained favorite of small time time people or rural audiences. They
are also known as seasonal entertainments. The Dashavatar is performed in post
harvest season in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. This kind of theatre
derives it subject matter from the mythological stories about the ten avatars
of Vishnu. The gestures and movements are sharp and accentuated. Another
characteristic is the declamatory speeches. The Tamasha is an entertainment of
song, dance and satire. It came into existence for the entertainment of Peshwa
army in the eighteenth century. Tamasha and Powda can be called the folk dance
forms of Marathi plays. Tamasha has more of music and popular entertainment
Powadas present in a ballad from the stories of exploits and rare qualities of
a heroic figure. Even today both these folk art forms are alive in Maharashtra
and command popularity and people's esteem.
The performance of Tamasha
could be held anywhere in the village square. The courtyard of a house, an open
field or the stage any place would be welcome. The performance began with the
entry of the musicians as in other dance drama forms. First a drummer and a
trumpeter enter. While the drummer provides the basic rhythm and the usual
metrical cycles, the trumpeter provides sharp accents and piercing sounds. The
beginning of the recital was announced far and wide by them. The singer enters
and takes his position in front of the group. After the drumming is over and
the main musician has entered Lord Ganesha is invoked.
Apart from the dance sequence
movement enters into Tamasha through considerable acrobatic play which is
executed by a female actress. Tamasha abounds in rituals, satire, sarcasm,
dance and music and concludes with something similar to Arti. Finale is always
on a high moral note that good wins and evil perishes. Both these forms have a
considerable share to the birth of professional urban theatre of late however,
they are stagnated. Vijay Tendulkar uses both the forms in "Ghashiram
Kotwal" is a musical play in which Tendulkar writes about the music. He
used the folk drama ferment with its elaborate use of facial expressions, mime,
song, dance and symbolic use of stage techniques. The streets of Bavankhani
become the gardens of Mathura. The "Krishna- Radha Raslila" is
suggestive of sexual overtures. The sexual behavior of Brahmans is sugar -
coated and compared with "Krishna- Radha Raslila" Bhavankhani is a
red - light area and it is compared with Mathura. Lavani is part of Tamasha
where as Abhang is a religious song sung for praying the God. A human wall was
used first of all by Tendulkar in Marathi drama. The rise of modern Maratha
Theatre as distinct from the contribution of Tamasha tradition has been
attributed to Vishnu Behave in 1843 and his successor Anna Sahib.
To Conclude:-
In short, Tendulkar has been
a highly influential dramatist and theatre personality in Maharashtra. He shows
the position of women in contemporary Indian society through his women
characters. Tendulkar has shown different types of themes in his plays, but the
theme of human relationship is very complicated. His concern with all forms of
oppression in society and within the family, his strong visual sense, tightly
designed plots and profound sense of theatrical space, and a sure insight into
dramatic characterization makes him an important figure in the Indian theatre
scene. Really Vijay Tendulkar is leading contemporary Indian playwright.
Question:-Discuss the various themes applied in “Ghashiram Kotwal
''
(written by Radhika Baroliya)
Preface:-
Vijay Tendulkar was
born on 6 January 1928. Vijay Tendulkar is considered as a pioneer of modern
drama in Vernacular language.
Many of Tendulkar's plays
derived inspiration from real life incidents. He is concerned with social and
political themes.
In Ghashiram Kotwal Vijay Tendulkar has mentioned these themes in two acts.
Ghashiram Kotwal is a study of power at various interfaces.
Its theme is how men in power give rise to ideologies to serve their
purposes. And later destroy them when they become useless.
Let’s discuss this various
themes are....
1.
Use of power and position
2.
Politics and Religion
3.
The idea of authority or power
4.
Tragedy of power game
5.
Insularity and violence
6.
Historical events
1:-Use of power and position
Ghashi becomes the terror to the people. He begins to use of his power and
position. There is revenge in the backdrop of morality. He had been insulted
and humiliated. Now he has got opportunity to settle down the issue. He orders
foe permits. Nothing is allowed without permit. In the name of it he crushes
the people. There is a no limit of harassment. Innocent or bad all equally
treated. There is so much force that good turns bad and bad into worse and it
into worst. There are false cases, they are trapped jailed and beaten. There is
no place in the jail. The prisoners suffocate and die. For a small reason
punishment is hard.
No
doubt people stop many bad things. At night the streets are deserted. The lane
of prostitutes is lonely. Brahmins have stopped cheating. They have been
straightened. But it is like spring only force has worked out of Poona
everything is same. Many have started going to Bavankhani. It is a prostitute
district. Whatever it may be. But Ghashi's shadow envelopes all of them.
2:- Politics and Religion
Religion is a wine that rigid people drink it. The ignorant join with theme
result is very horrible. The politicians know this and they use this wine for
their purpose. They misuse the holy institution. The play has religious
elements. There are songs and dances in the accompaniment of music. There is
prayer and holy processions but politicians like do not have respect to such
things. Holy songs tunes into lavani dance turns erotic. Religious meetings
become haunting places. Women are found out from their Gauri or Gulabi are such
a meeting.
When
the people revolted Nana brings religion. He tells his soldiers to religions
things which the Brahmins want. He knows it would satisfy them.
Nana
uses religion his own way. He gives his meaning. Gauri indicates Ganesha's
idol. But he says he want mind. He also has two wives one on each side.
Ghashi
also uses religion. For him it is in following morality. He asks for religious
thread to any Brahmin married women have sacred bracelet on their neck. For
marriage it is proof but he denies and asks other things. Visiting prostitutes
telling lies are sins and Ghashiram order to have strict vigilance over such
things. Thus religion is a mask to Nana and Ghashi.
3:- The idea of authority or power
Nana used to having it and therefore relaxed in exercising it over people
below him. Ghashiram newly powerful and therefore carried away by it and
engaging in violent and brutal demonstrations. However it becomes apparent from
a comparison of these two representations of the theme of authority.
Power
of different kinds is seen in many of Tendulkar's plays and it commonly acknowledged
that Ghashiram is about the power of the state and its institutions or its
various organs.
4:- Tragedy of Power Game
Ghashiram are creations of socio-political forces which know no barriers of
time and place. Although based on a historical legend. I have no intention of
commenting on the morals or lack of them peshwa, Nana phadhanvis or Ghashiram.
The moral of this story. If there is any may be looked for elsewhere.
His
mistreatment by the people forces him to swear to take revenge against the
people of Poona. He hatches a plot to temptation in order to take revenge. He doesn’t
think twice as using his daughter as manipulation part of talking revenge
against insulting treatment given to him by people of Poona.
5:- Insularity and Violence
In the context of our times, in our increasingly polarized and violent
societies it may be interesting to note how Tendulkar treats ideas of
insularity and violence. The city of Poona is regarded almost as personal
property by the Brahmins. They close ranks against the outsider, making it
difficult for him to earn a living humiliating him and banishing him from the
city. It is only in the worst elements of Ghashiram's character come to the
fore and the brutal Ghashiram Kotwal is born.
‘I feel fascinated by the
violent exploiter - exploited relationship and obsessively delve deep into it
instead of talking a position against it '. In Ghashiram kotwal he explores how
and why violent treatment meted out to the outsider, the Brahmin from kanauj
and the threat of violence behind the permit system in Ghashiram's rule
stunning the people into a state of apathy. We see it in the brutal ordeal
conducted to establish the truth.
6:- Historical events
Undoubtedly Tendulkar has fictionalized the historical facts and presented
the flaws of high born persons in power. In, 'Ghashiram Kotwal' Vijay Tendulkar
has shown the historical incidents through his characters. Being closely
connect with the history of Poona and the end of the 18th century and incident
Ghashiram Kotwal is a historical play.
To Sum up:-
Thus the play is a powerful satire on the power politics. Tendulkar depicts
that the play was not written to recreate his history or the historical figures
but it was a reaction of an artist to contemporary political scenario.
Bring out the ' Satire ' in Ghashiram Kotwal.
·
What is Satire?
A literary device of writing which
principally ridicules is subjects often as an intended means of provoking or
preventing change. Humor, irony and exaggeration as often used to aid this.
Satire is important to any literary work.
Now let’s evaluate Satire on ' Ghashiram Kotwal'
1.
Maratha society
2.
Maratha
society has so much degenerated from its exalted position that the women have
begun to engage other men to meet their demands. The Maratha sardars are...
-
hypocrite
-
unscrupulous
- Without pity...
It is the proverbial " Might
is right " for Poona. The civil administration is virtually
non-existent.
2. Brahminical Traditions
The Brahmins
of Poona have been portrayed in a different shade. Unfortunately the shade is
dark and diabolic. There has been drastic erosion in values. The Poona people
have taken to such a life of ease and enjoyment and with such a fall that
Bavanna the red light area of city. The Brahmins of Poona have involved
themselves so much with fun and life of ease that they have abandoned the area
of their wives.
Brahmin’s is very revered in our
society. The position of Brahmins is very high. In the play “Ghashiram
Kotwal “Brahmins play a complicate role.
In the play we
show complicate situation of Brahmins when they go to
Bavannkhani and sutradhar
obstruct they. Than conversation
among Brahmins and sutradhar is very
amusing. It is true that Brahmins is very adorable but in play Brahmins done a
very assumed work that is “They Go to Bavannkhani”
The Brahmins
have degraded themselves to such a play where they are not out to earn money by
officiating as pries and performing sacrificial ceremonies but haggling for a
silver coin.
3. Satire on female’s position
The play
also speaks about the position of women in our society. Their existence is
dependent upon their male counterparts. In cases more than one it is up to them
as to how they keep their women folk and in most of the cases their fate is the
quiet surrender and acceptance of their lot carved out by their males.
If a parallel is drawn between
their position in the past and the one in the present then one notices that
there is not much of the difference. If any women dare to act, becomes a threat
to male chauvinism and is punished. Earlier also they did not have any special
rights except for a few exceptions in case of some notable women and during rig
Vedic time. Ghashiram Kotwal is a true story of use and abuse of women.
4. Position of Power
Ghashiram Kotwal is
a study of Power at various interfaces. He wants power and wants it
desperately. In his first encounter he has get a feel of Nana's tastes and his
tremendous power with one stroke the playwright displays the gaudy and tawdry
colors of politics and power. The power is dissipated as a byproduct of an
alliance of opportunist forces.
5. Poor condition of Gauri
Gauri becomes
a sacrificial goat in struggle for power. She is describes as young pretty and
innocent and falls at once a victim to Nana's greed. It is here that she finds
Nana seated on a higher pedestal at women folk. He described her as beautifully
formed, a lovely figure erect young and tender.
The pathetic
Gauri represent the flip side of Indian women especially for their use and
abuse in all walks of life especially politics and power.
·
Suggested Point
1. Nana's many wives
2. Social condition (Gossip Gauri)
3. Judiciary (Law) system
// THANK YOU // (Hemali Jadav) -t.y.b.a.
Preface: The playwright Tendulkar is aware of present
political scenario. He intense to expose the evils of politics. This is a field
where power, sex, and religion are deeply connected. All three combined
together makes the situation. People horrible. Directly or indirectly all
people are influenced. ‘Ghashiram
kotwal ' is also a play dominated by these issues.
This is not a historical
play. It is a story in prose, verse,
music and dance set in a historical era. He also point out the ' Ghashiram
Kotwal' is a creation of sociopolitical forces.
Let's discuss the ' Ghashiram kotwal' is political play.
Ghashiram on Deputation.
Ghashiram use of politics.
Use of power and position.
Politics and religion.
Political event
Complicity of political power. ⬛ Explain
this point
➡ Ghashiram on Deputation Ghashiram come to Poona for his livelihood.
He is a Brahmin from kanauj - a prostitute. Nana visits her once. Nana's ankle
is hurt. It is seen by Ghashiram. He supports Nana's foot. He leads his back
for this small action Nana is able to catch the attention of a great leader
like him.
Later on he deputes him as a kotwal of the city. It is a great position
power and position both comes to him. But Nana is very clever to do so. He has
his purposes.
1)
Nana does not trust his own Brahmin people as many of them are against
him.
2) Ghashiram would be a safe weapon against theme as he is outsider.
3) Being outsider, people will
not trust Ghashiram.
4) So in this case he is safe from both
sides.
In any case either he
couldn’t blame Ghashiram or
people. Thus Nana is a mastermind. He is
selfish.
➡ Ghashiram's use of politics
He has found out
that Nana is a lusty man. His visit to Gulabi is an example of this. Moreover
he comes to a religious tale. There are women. All of them know that's why they
begin to pull their sarees to properly cover. Nana's eyes catches out a young
girl. A chance takes place. He is ready to attack upon her but she escapes.
Nana couldn't bear
Ghashiram come on the scene. Nana asks him to catch her. Ghashiram assures him
to bring her. His passions are so much aroused that he asks him to do anything
for her. Ghashiram takes benefit of the situation. He demands power from his in
return to her. He knows that the woman is not anybody but his own daughter. He
brings her to him when the order is signed. Thus Ghashiram gets power at the
cost of his daughter.
➡ Use of power and position
Ghashiram become the
terror to the people. He begins to
use of his power and position. He had been insulted and humiliated. Now he has
got opportunity to settle down the issue. He orders for permits. Nothing is
nothing allowed without permit. There is no limit of harassment. Innocent or
bad all are equally treated. There is so much force that good turns bad and bad
into worse and it into worst. There are false cases, they are trapped, jailed
and beaten. There is no place in the jail. 22 persons are died in prison
because of suffocating. For a small reason punishment is hard.
And truly the Ghashiram is very use
to power and position to people.
➡ Politics and religion
We can see the play
begins with prayer to Lord Ganpati and includes invocations to other gods like,
Saraswati the goddess of knowledge and wisdom and the prayer of Laxmi the
goddess of wealth. Then the Brahmans to pare introduce themselves Nana
phadnavis is the chief secretary of puna who is also corrupt and visits the
Lavani dancer and Ghashiram is also working with the Lavani dancer. Religious
through politician trapped the God.
This play represented the Socio
political issues of our time. The Brahmans were the most privileged of the
various classes in Poona during the period, since they were also the class in power.
While the government formulated a strict code of behavior for them it also
assured that they enjoyed the highest social status.
We are shown the violent
treatment meted out to the outside the Brahman from kanauj and the threat of
violence behind the permit. System in Ghashiram really stunning the people into
a state of apathy. We see in the brutal order concluded to establish the truth
and, finally we are given an example of mob violence - mob anger satisfied only
with bloodshed.
We can compare Maratha period with
modern age and political situation. The disguised play of power and the
camouflaging of evil meaty represent the many ways in which the real face of
power is disguised by social and familial codes and rituals.
Nana is the type of the
wily, unscrupulous politician who is a true of our time as he would have been
two hundred years agile debauched lifestyle, his compulsive lechery, and his
enjoyment of music and dance are extensions of power and the wealth that come
in its wake. They display an equal degree of selfishness and a similar
willingness to use people to reach their own goals. Politician means the game
of power.
➡ Political event
First time foreign Brahmans
coming to Poona, they are thought city of Poona is city of future, very
beautiful. Like the gold city of Lanka. They are saying, we are poor and find
of our fortune. After they stay in the one by the Ganesha temple spend the
night. After they stealing fruit in kotwal's garden it means breaking the
kotwal's relies. Ghashiram order to soldiers put the Brahmans in a cell.
Midnight comes some Brahmans immediately become faint from the cell. And
somebody shouting please help because noise of suffocation. During the night,
some of the Brahmans died. Some of them half dead, were unconscious, started
continue their last moments.
That time Maratha Landowner comes
near to cell. The sardar begins to ask questions. Who put them in the cell?
Sardar phakade is Ghashiram's enemy. He has a readymade opportunity there. A
golden chance for him he say ' Sir Justice, Ghashiram suffocated these men. The
crime, what kind of justice is this?
It means a golden chance for
kotwal's enemy.
➡ Complexity of political power
Ghashiram kotwal is a
study of power at various interfaces. The complexity of religion. Power and sex
though grotesque is successfully brought out.
Nana phadnavis being a
veteran and a seasoned politician ignores his earthly duties. They are none of
his concern, as even without performing them he can like modern politician
stick to power. The result is that while he has a gala time, the common
subjects suffer realizing a threat to his power he parts with a part of it.
Nana in his mad pursuit of
base pleasure and making the best use of his position misuses and abuse power.
Drunk with power and desire for beautiful women his ignores his duties and
obligations. A good example of this is given in the play when a young woman
come to him complaining that her father in law had died and the kotwal was not
giving permission to cremate his body. It had begin to rot and the dogs had started
nosing in Nana at that time is busy throwing colors at women during rang -
panchmi and shoes her away.
It is also through abuse and misuse
of power.
➡
Conclusion
Though the play indicates
past political system, no one would be against that it is almost contemporary
political picture. Thing are same only people and time have changed. Politics
is meant to help people but in ninety percent it does and brings evil.
Truly Ghashiram and Nana is
play character right but in world not right this political character Nana and
Ghashiram.
Hetal makwana
Raxa makwana
Urvisha vaja
The play ‘Ghashiram kotwal' is
written by Vijay Tendulkar. The play 'Ghashiram kotwal' (English translation by
Jaynt Karve and Eleanor Zeliot)was first performed in the original Marathi on
December 16,1972, by the Progressive Dramatic Association at the Bharat Natya
Mandir in Pune. It was directed by Jabbar Patel. After nineteen performances,
however, the president of the Progressive Dramatic Association banned the play
on the grounds that it was anti Brahman and gave an inaccurate picture of the
historical figure of Nana Phadnavis. The production was revived after two year.
But also the play was popular and controversial.
Let's discuss feminism approach in the play
'Ghashiram Kotwal'.But first we discuss about that, what is ‘Feminism’? Why we
study about 'Feminism'?
What is Feminism?
Feminism means "The advocacy
of woman right on ground of equality of sexes."
“The movement aimed at equal
rights for woman"
Why we study about feminism?
The position of woman right from
very beginning has been in a very precarious condition. One of the smrities lay
down that a woman's position is no better than the servant and can be used at
will and another states that they can be punished with a splinter of cane. Through
things are rated as uncivilized in the modern context and are routinely
critized but in many countries including India, their lot is far from being
satisfactory. In our present time woman get equal position and also want equal
position so, it’s become important to study about 'Feminism'.
Tendulkar has become an
important spokesperson for the downtrodden weak and exploited mass, including
the woman. Many of his plays present the position of woman in contemporary
modern society plays like, ‘Kamla’, 'Silence! The court is session', ‘Kanyadan’,
Ghashiram Kotwal '.
Now discuss feminism approach in
play' Ghashiram Kotwal ' through the woman character like,
• Lalita Gauri,
• Guabi ,
• Wives of Brahmans.
Lalita Gauri :-
'Ghashiram Kotwal ' is a true story of use and abuse of woman. Woman
is unimportant and second grade creature therefore they are nameless . And also
Gauri is a topical of this type woman and become victim of male dominated
society but why woman get second grade in everywhere ?
Gauri is daughter of Ghashiram
. Ghashiram was insulted by Poona’s Brahman so, he wants to revenge with them
.For revenge Ghashiram bargain his
daughter Gauri. Gauri is silent . How can a father bargain his daughter? Who
gives this type right? Woman doesn't raise her voice when she becomes victim of
this type crime?
In our male dominated society woman get lower
position . Even her father doesn't appreciate her . Women and man both are
equal and both are important for society. But our society accepted that?
Thoughts of equality begin from family.
Ghashiram bargain his daughter
and she granted to Nana as bait to fish in power of politics. Ghasiram used his
daughter forget power and Nana use her for his lust . Why male person should
use woman character for his own selfishness?
Woman and man both are foundation of society . World cannot live without woman
or man . Both responsibilities are same for society . But society forgets his
responsibity for woman ,why?
Ghashiram insulted by Brahman
and he decide to revenge with him and become cruel and violent . Woman is
always insulted by society and male person .If the woman became Ghashiram ,
then ?
In the play 'Ghashiram Kotwal' Ghasiram send
her daughter to Nana . Nana says that " Child what do you want? All your
dreams this Nana will fulfil."
Gauri turns around , startled , she knew the
lust of Nana. she doesn't like live with Nana and go with him .But for his
father's ordered Gauri scarified her
life .This act shows the woman's situation in that time. Always man says , woman is listening . Gauri is nameless,
powerless , and voiceless. None are know what actually she wants ? None are try
to know that? And none ask what her
ambition is?
In this play Ghashiram says that "Look !I've given
my beloved daughter into the jaws that wolf!"
Ghashiram knows that how
violent Nana is, however he send her daughter
. Ghasiram doesn't save her daughter . His daughter nothing like him. Always
Nana entraps to bait Gauri and other woman . Gauri's character shows that poor situation for woman in society.
Gauri is voiceless , powerless,
and victimized. She doesn't say anything
even in matter relating to her . She has doesn't any power . Always become
victim of male person.
Why society give equal chance like male? If the woman take right
decision for manage the house so, why
male are not involve him in any other
decision?
Gauri accept what her father
decide for her even though it meant passing through a living hell or a life of eternal
damnation . She is the symbol of exploitation of female sexuality to represent
the loss and destruction in their
struggle for power .
Gauri does get a stint to exercise power
through indirectly . The sutradhar explains ,
'' Gauri
orders , Nana does
and Ghasi's reign is here''.
She is discarded once Nana 's
fancy for her is over . She loses her honour , respect and finally life at a
critical moment when her father was looking for a groom. In our society woman
could not take decision about
unceremoniously in the play.
In the end
of play Gauri's murder by Nana none are knew about Gauri .Ghashiram knew that
Gauri died and Nana is murderer but .He does not take action . But the male
person are died in prison . Whole people wants justice for him . This avows
that if woman murder by anyone so it’s only misapprehension nothing less.
But male person are murder by Ghashiram
so people give punished him.
Sexual misconduct is the
worst crime that a woman can indulge in and remedy lies in passing a death
sentence or her .But no such thing is true for men. Whole character of play
shows the woman condition in the society .This play shows Tendulkar views
related to feminism . Why woman become pawn ?
Gulabi :-
Tendulkar has become an important spokes person for the downtrodden weak
and exploited masses including the woman . He depicts that character who suffer
a lot only because of she is woman.
Gulabi is courtesan who dance in
Bavankhani .All Brahman and Nana go
there and dance with her they whistle and throw turbans in the air . None are
knows that her helplessness or enjoyment . Surtadhar says that
" Brahman crowds waiting
for a glimpse of Gulabi..."
All the Brahmans wants to dance with her but .None knows what she want ?
Tendulkar shows the helplessness of woman . woman it’s like toy in this play .
Gulabi is no better though
she wields some power and is financially well off she too has to dance to the
tunes of her customers and Nana. She cannot think to earn her livelihood
without satisfying the sexual overtures of her customer.
Wives of Brahmans:-
Brahman's wife characters are
very short . Why Tendulkar draw this type character of woman ? Because he shows
the reality of life. We can see in play all
the woman character are voiceless , powerless
and nameless. The wives of the Maratha Sardars bear a silent testimony
to it. They are unimportant and second grad creatures therefore they are
nameless. Gauri’s mother belongs to the same rank. She has given birth to her
daughter but exercises no right in her welfare . They all continue to suffer in
silence. Ghashiram bargain his daughter
but his wife doesn't ask any question to him . Woman condition it’s like slave
. India get the independent in 1947, but woman get freedom still in present
time .
The Brahman go to Bavankhani at
the night . Brahman wives stay at home they cannot sleep and sutradhar shows
they loneliness through line
"The Brahman go to Bhavankhani and the
Brahman wives stay at home oh !they stay at home they wait they cannot sleep."
Why, always woman have to tolerate everything ?Nana has six or seven
wives and he want to add one . But his Wives are doesn't object against him . our holy books indicate importance of
woman trough this sentence,
But our modern world doesn't accept
. we can see the News everyday many cases of rape , harassment , beating mischief
etc . This is not safe for society and forewoman . God created both then why
all are not accept equality of both ? 'Feminism movement ' its effort who persuade
that both are equal.
conclusion:
Tendulkar's woman character are
in the process of evolution and in the course of play they gain knowledge and
strive to gain freedom and dignity and the so called modern liberal minded men
are stripped naked their true colour as selfish , hypocrite and chauvinist are
brought to forefront.
That present paper aims at
critically studying the status of modern woman at modern time though the very
realistic and naturalistic portrayal of both woman and men by the indian
playwright Vijay Tendukar . Tendulkar gives no solution he only depicts problem
through the innocent and helpless questions uttered by his character that are
in no way innocent or free from blemishes . Through this realistic portrayal of
a contemporary scenario! endeavour to show that feminism has long way to go.
(pratibha Sarvaiya- T.y.b.a.)
Character of Lalita Gauri
Preface:
The character of any
literary work reveals the idea of particular writers. A character in a play is
a part of any generally atmosphere and theme from which the play.
In the sense the character
like Brahmans, Gulbi, and Ghashiram .Nana played major role .The minor figures
like the Brahmans wife Maratha landowner may be individualised through linguistic
style and appereance.
Let's discuss in detail
Gauri's character.
Tendulkar has delineated
powerful female figure in several of his plays. The women are minor figures. We
see several kinds of women:Gauri
Gauri is voiceless,
disempowered and victimized. She does not have a say even in a matter relating
to her. She is the symbol of exploitation of female sexuality to represent the
loss and destruction in their struggle for power.
Gauri become a sacrificial
goat in struggle for power. She is describing as young. Pretty and innocent and
falls at once a victim to Nana's greed. She is spotted first in the private
hall gathered to listen to Haridasa and offer prayers to lord Ganpati. It is
here that she finds Nana seated on a higher pedestal and ogling at women folk.
He describes her:
''A lovely figure... Erect young and tender. We have seen so many,
handled so many but non like that. None her equal, comes the immediate response
of Nana.''
After the first encounter
the all powerful Nana become a helpless creature before Ghashiram. He harasses
the mighty Nana and begs Ghashi to allow her to remain with him for a couple of
day more. Gauri charms bewitched him to such an extent that Nana says that his
grander is gone if she is not had. She connotes the nexus between sex and
politics and funs the desires of Nana to such an extent that he is forced to
think that if she is had then he can conquer the whole Hindustan.
She titillated Nana's
libido so much he is strained to let his sexual feeling make public' what a
bosom! Buds just blossoming. We squeeze them like this'
Gauri seems to enjoy
power for some time .The sutradhar explains Gauri order, Nana dose and Ghashi's
reign is here. She is discarded once Nana's fancy for her is over. She loses
her honour, respect and finally life at a critical moment when her father was
looking for a groom. She is buried unceremoniously in the play.
Her
death maddens her father and he is mad with rage. His murderous impact at this
moment even scars Nana .He rocks the city of Poona with his ire. Which he
spills over the death of Gauri.
The pathetic
Gauri represents the flip side of Indian- women especially for their use and
abuse in all most all walks of life especially politics and power . They have
been used as pawns to obtain the key positions or clinch deals and celebrate
the successes. Agents often use women in the pursuance of their motives. The
saddening part of the play is that here a father sells his daughter.
The women in
this play are treated as mere objects in the male- dominated power politics.
The women here are either means of sexual gratification and pleasure and
pleasure or useful tools of bargaining in the power - games.
Draw the Character
sketch of
Ghashiram Kotwal
Introduction
‘Ghashiram
Kotwal ' is political historical play. Vijay Tendulkar's most of play theme is
human relationship writer is describing the story through character. The
character is important thing in the play.
A characterizaton
a play is a part of the general atmosphere and themes from which the play write
belongs about his character Vijay Tendulkar says
'' Each
of has his /his own
Separate
expression and express''
In the play 'Ghashiram Kotwal'.
Is the major character are Nana Gauri, Gulabi,
Ghashiram and minor character as the Brahmans Wives, Maratha landowner. The
main character is Ghashiram Kotwal. The reds and fall the Ghashiram life in the
describing the writer.
So let's discuss the character of ''Ghashiram, Kotwal'.
• Appearance of the Ghashiram
• As an ordinary man.
• As a Father.
• Ghashiram as a Kotwal.
• As an oppressive Ruler.
• Death of
Ghashiram
Appearance of the Ghashiram:
Ghashiram's first appearance is in Gulabi's hall in Bavankani, dancing
erotically with her and the stage direction describes him as her foil sycophant
Ludicrous later in the acne it is
revealed that Gulabi is his employer . He washes my utensils, sings for me.
Does all sorts of things. This initial servitude sets the tone for the first
stage of his path in the play. Beginning as Gulabi's servant, he graduates to
becoming a servant to both Nana and to his own excessive desire for power.
As an Ordinary man:
In the beginning of the play Ghashiram is an ordinary man. He is trying
to make a living and attempting good life. When the first act being, Ghashiram
appears as an ordinary servant when Ghashiram is at Bavankhani , Gulabi is his
mistress.
From such ordinary and lower
job. He raises his post at the end of the first act. The insult by puna Brahmin
made him angry. Then Ghashiram has decided to take revenge of his insult.
As a Father:
In the beginning
of the play Ghashiram appears as a typical father .When he deals with Nana for
the position of Kotwal in offering to return his daughter to Nana. The father
like Ghashiram is hardly found in literature or in insulted person who become
ready to take revenge. It makes him to do such different
kind of father who is ready for bargaining his own daughter. Ghashiram loves
his daughter as a typical father but for him power becomes more important than
his daughter.
Ghashiram as a Kotwal:
As
Ghashiram performs the role of Kotwal. We notice a certain numbers in him a
senseless absorption in violence .He is immune to the pain he is causing and
quite uncaring of its consequence for himself. The exchange with the sutradhar
turned man with the pregnant wife avows the whole issue of permits for everything
as ridiculous. They are on edge and the sutradhar speaking of Ghashiram reign
makes the telling comments.
'' The bad deeds were cooled down
The good deeds
were cooled down too.''
No one dares to tool Ghshiram strength in the eye. This entire speech wanting
several points that illumine what has happened and what is to happen.
As an oppressive:
When the second act being Ghashiram appears in a different from. He becomes extremely cruel and oppressive
ruler. He does not understand the feeling, helpless of the poor. He only knows
to press the poor and common people. The power of Kotwal corrupts him very
much. The game of power ends with his death.
Overall glance into the character of Ghashiram revels that Vijay
Tendulakar has not created a pure villain in him like Macbeth Ghashiram has
also a human goodness. However the evils come in Ghashiram not form inside or circumstances.
It means if the Poona Brahmans had not insulted Ghashiram he would be an
ordinary Brahman.
Death of Ghashiram:
The climax of any play reveals through the ends of villainy act .Here, Ghashiram’s
fall begins. When 22 Brahmans die in the prison because of suffocation. His
rivals take this opportunity and try their best to punish Ghashiram Nana also
plays a games here and easily give order of Ghashiram's punishment of death.
Nana said
'' Use to take thorn out
The thorn, that’s great
The disease has been stopped
Anyway no use any more.''
Nana is usual the
one targets the two actions: Ghashiram can punish and Poona Brahmans is also
his the punishment him.
The play ''Ghashiram Kotwal ‘‘is the character
Ghashiram is very important his life to the power, ego, wealth is the defeated
her daughter.
Conclusion:
In short Vijay Tendukar has nicely drawn the
character of Ghashiram in the play "Ghashiram Kotwal " . In the
beginning of the play Ghashiram is an
ordinary person who loves his daughter but at the end we knew that he had bargaining
his daughter for power. It brings him to fatal flow of his character.
Draw the Character
sketch of
Nana Phadanvis
Introduction :
The character of any
literary work reveals the idea of particular writers . A character in a play is
a part of any generally atmosphere and theme from which the play .Vijay
Tendulkar has describe the cruel character of Nana in the play .
Let's discuss the character of Nana in
detail.
Historical figure of
Nana Phadanvis:
While
Tendular begins his portrayal of Nana Phadanvis , the same process of
developing and fleshing out a character that he suggested was at work in the
case of Ghashiram is also present. Here ,Nana is the type of the wily ,
unscrupulous politician who is as true of our times as he would have been two
hundred year ago. His debauched. Lifestyle, his compulsive lechery , and his
enjoyment of music and dance are extensions of power and the wealth that come in
its wake. He is also shown as an extremely clever man the historical Nana was known
for his guile and political acumen that actually realises the prospect of
manipulating people using their weaknesses to gain control over them, and employing
them for his own ends.
Nana's Appearance:
Nana's first appearance on stage
with silver -handled walking stick and flowers
at his wrist, and immediately
joining in the erotic dance, is a dramatic way of establishing his character .
The first scene where he appears in fact presents both aspects of his
personality that of the debauch and that of the politician who enjoy showing
his power and being recognized for it. Second scene with Nana and Gauri and the
lavni goes on.
As a Lecherous Man:
Vijay Tendulkar presents Nana from the history but put his character in a modern way. The
writer creates a new text that revels Nana as a lecherous man the writer has
also presented the character of Nana as an evil personality who plays a trick
against Ghashiram .
Conclusion :
The
writer created the character of Nana as a true political,cunning , lecherous
and selfish one. Though the character of Nana is taken from history . Vijay
Tendulkar has shown the modern society.
(by Riddhi vaghani- t.y.b.a.)
Question: - Title of the
play '' Ghashiram Kotwal''.
Introduction:-
The title of any literary piece of writing is always appropriate,
suggestive and preferably catchy. The apt title gives an idea about the inside
story. Creates interest about the plot one to make surmises.
The title taken of the
name on of the main character or the important part of work. We can get idea
through the title that what is the story is about.
''Ghashiram Kotwal'' the title of the
play.
Ghashiram is the
central figure. The play is his story. The story of rise and fall of a Kanauj
Brahmin in the city of Poona.
Ghashiram comes in search
of fortune to Poona with his wife and daughter. There he becomes the victim of
power structure in the beginning of the play when he is wrongly abused theft
and thrown to prison. This insult made him angry and then he decide to take
revenge for this. So the play continues on to reach the next part of this play.
He sacrifices the virtue
of his daughter in the altar of worship of power. Like a typical tragic hero he
suffers from imprudence and fails to have an integrated view of the truth of
life.
After that Ghashiram
become the kotwal of Poona. Then he started to take revenge from the city of Poona.
Having the post of kotwal he begins to enforce strict rules in the city. He
starts asking for permits for everything and starts throwing people in jail for
the smallest offences.
The sutradhar and the
twelve Brahmins have to step in all important junctures to comment on his acts
the repercussion of his act, schemes and designs and events happening off the
stage that have concern him.
The title is appropriate
in some way because if Nana didn't make him kotwal he can't do anything.
If we want to give title what should it will? The revenge of Ghashiram.
Because the whole story is about the revenge. We can see it still the end of
Ghashiram.
In short, Tendulkar gave
an appropriate title to this play. If he can't be the 'Kotwal' he can't take
his revenge.
So, this
title is fully appropriate on this play.
(by Bavaliya Bindiya- t.y.b.a.)