Sangeet Sharada

Sangeet Sharada is an 1899 Marathi Sangeet Natak (Musical play), written and directed by playwright Govind Ballal Deval.[1] The play is considered as the first play in Marathi to showcase the social problems and broke the norms by dealing with the subject of child marriage when dramatic literature in India mainly focused on historical-mythological narrations.[2][3]

Sangeet Sharada
Written byGovind Ballal Deval
Characters
  • Bhujanganath
  • Bhadreshwar Dixit
  • Kodand
  • Sharada
  • Kanchanbhat
  • Indirakaku
Date premiered1899
Original languageMarathi
SubjectChild marriage
GenreSocial

Over the period of time, various stage actors like Bal Gandharva, Vishnupant Pagnis,[4] Bhalchandra Pendharkar[5] have performed the lead role of Sharada. Going with the format of Sangeet Natak, play had more than 50 songs, penned and composed by Govind Ballal Deval himself and music attained a cult status over the period of time.[6]

The play "is considered to be a pioneer in social drama in India"[7] and gained the popularity in such a way that when the Child Marriage Restraint Act, proposed by Haribilas Sarda, also known "Sarda Act", was passed in 1929; it was mistaken to be named after the play as "Sharada Act".[1]

Plot

Bhujanganath, a geriatric widower, wants to marry one more time so that he can have heir to his property, thus befriends Bhadreshwar Dixit, a middleman, who would help him in finding a young bride. Though a well known person in the village, Dixit finds difficulties in getting a bride for Bhujanganath, as nobody agrees for the proposal because of his old age. Dixit convinces Bhujanganath to visit other villages to search for brides and advises him to behave like a wealthy person, which would make it easier to get a bride for Bhujanganath.

Both along with Kodand, a young orphaned Purohit, visit Gangapur and manage to convince people in the village that Bhujanganath is a rich and young man. Kanchanbhat who wishes to marry his young teenage daughter, Sharada, to a rich person hears about Bhujanganath's arrival in the village. He approaches Dixit with the help of one of his friends, Suvarnashastri and readily accepts the proposal when Dixit proposes 5000 as dowry in marriage. Indirakaku, Kanchanbhat's wife and Sharada's mother, disagrees for the marriage when she learns the truth about Bhujanganath. When Kodand visits Kanchanbhat's house along with Dixit, he opposes the marriage and threatens Dixit and Bhujanganath that he will tell the truth and will also lodge a complaint in the police station as the proposed marriage is planned between an old person and a teenager. Frightened Dixit locks Kodand in the basement.

With Kodand missing, villagers start inquiring about Bhujanganath and Dixit. Sharada, after meeting Bhujanganath in person, opposes for the marriage but her father Kanchanbhat does not pay any heed and starts the preparation for the marriage. With the help of a friend, Kodand manages to escape from the custody.

On the day of marriage, Kodand accompanied by police, reaches the marriage venue and exposes Bhujanganath and Dixit. Police arrests both of them. Sharada runs away from the venue and decides to commit suicide. But Kodand convinces Sharada and proposes her for the marriage. Sharada accepts the proposal and both of them decides to get married.

Characters

The play had number of characters. Some of them even had songs which were rendered by themselves.

  • Bhujanganath (Shrimant): a 75-year-old widower
  • Kodand: an orphaned Purohit and male protagonist
  • Kanchanbhat: Sharada's father
  • Janhavi, Sharayu, Vallari, Mandakini, Triveni and Tunga: Sharada's friends
  • Bhadreshwar Dixit: a middleman
  • Sharada: a teenager, young bride and female protagonist
  • Indirakaku: Sharada's mother
  • Jayant: Sharada's younger brother
  • Hiranyagarbha (Shyamsundar), Suvarnashastri, Shitikanth, Pushkarbhat, Kaustubh, Upadhyay, Kotwal, Bimbacharya, Vetalik, Ramanandcharya, Jagadguru: villagers and other characters

List of songs

The play, being a musical, had plenty of songs. All the songs were penned and composed by Govind Ballal Deval.

Act One
Track #TitleCharacterNotes
01"Shankarpad Vandi Aadhi"ChorusNaandi; Raag: Hameer; Taal: Chautal
02"Saukhya Purna Devo Tumha"ChorusNaandi; Raag: Bahar; Taal: Tintal
03"Abhiruchi Kona Shringarachi"NarratorSaki
04"Parichit Jo Ya Rasikjana"NarratorSaki
05"Ajuni Khula Ha Naad"NarratorRaag: Jhinjoti; Taal: Tintal
06"Adoor Darshitwane Kewal"NarratorSaki
07"Kaay Purush Chalale Bai"NarratorRaag: Pilu; Taal: Tintal
08"Jarath Ituka Tari"NarratorDindi
09"Porasah Thor Kiti"Bhujanganath 
10"Nivartali Ti, Tevhapasuni"BhujanganathKatav
11"Sundar Khashi Subak Thengani"Bhujanganath 
12"Paushtik Balviryajanak Aushadhe"Bhujanganath 
13"Pratakale Shiva Drushtava"BhadreshwarShlok
14"Name Bramhan, Khara"KodandaSaki
15"Jatharanal Shamavaya Neecha"KodandaRaag: Adana; Taal: Tintal
16"Jo Bhed Vidhine"Kodanda 
17"Ye Kaal Kasa Viparit"Kodanda 
18"Ha Jarathkumarivivah"Kodanda 
19"Anyadharmi Bhoopal Aaryabhucha"KodandaDindi
20"Swarthi Ji Preeti Manujachi"Kodanda 
21"Wani Taishi Karni"KodandaSaki
22"Jari Karin Sakal Khalkarya"Kodanda 
23"Jari Varun Dhuvat Sovala"Kodanda 
24"Baghuni Tya Bhayankar"Sharada 
25"Jan Khulawale, Sakal Ulat Chalale"Sharada 
26"Ish Chinta Nivaril Saari"SharadaTaal: Deepchandri
27"Jaagrut Theva, Lagnachi Hi Smriti"KodandaTaal: Dadra
28"Jay Krishnatatvasa"SharadaRaag: Sarang; Taal: Dadra
Act Two
Track #TitleCharacterNotes
01"Balpanich Kaal Sukhacha"SharadaTaal: Dhumali
02"Kadhi Karti Lagna Majhe"Sharada 
03"Jari Kuna Shrimantachi"Indirakaku 
04"Tarun Kulin Gora"Indirakaku 
05"Sawala Var Bara"Kanchanbhat 
06"Agadich Tu Vedi"Kanchanbhat 
07"Nako Vivahchi Majala"Bhujanganath 
08"Madhyasthachi Ase Kushalata"Bhujanganath 
09"Mee Nase Jari Bhyaad Jaaticha"BhujanganathKamada
10"Maj Game Aisa"Kodand 
11"Bimbadhara, Madhura"Kodand 
12"Bhetato Me Jaavoni Bhrujangala"KodandDindi
13"Man Kiti Utavil"Bhujanganath 
14"Naka Karu Avichar"Kodand 
15"Bal Jyache Tyas Te"Kanchanbhat 
16"Swanahun Ati Neech Tumhi"Kodand 
17"Tu Papi Adhamadham Khalakshaay"Kodand 
18"Bhare Kapre, Bhrame Drushti"KanchanbhatSaki
Act Three
Track #TitleCharacterNotes
01"Gheuni Ye Pankha Valyacha"Vallari 
02"Shrimant Patichi Rani"Janhavi 
03"Tu Shrimantin Khari Shobashil"Janhavi 
04"Mhatara Na Ituka"Vallari 
05"Jarathas Tarun Ho Stree Jari"Tunga 
06"Murtimant Bhitee Ubhi"Sharada 
07"Lagna Hoy Char Diwas"Bhujanganath 
08"Yeil Majhi Bhavi Kanta"Bhujanganath 
09"Kanthi Jhalake Angathi"BhujanganathDindi
10"Vaatu Na Yaava Vishad Chitta"Sharada 
11"Khachit Khachit He Nashibanche"Sharada 
12"Drushti Bhare Jalbhor"Kodand 
13"Jo Lokakalyan"Kodand 
14"Kakdrushti Bhadreshwar Ghatak"KodandSaki
15"Radasi Kaay Mhanuni"Indirakaku 
16"Aamhi Gaayi Jaatichya"Sharada 
17"Tumhi Garib Mhanuni Jari Majha"SharadaRaag: Jog; Taal: Dhumali
18"Yamapasha, Galyashi Jyas Lagala"Sharada 
19"Maya Jalali Ka"IndirakakuRaag: Mand; Taal: Dadra
20"Dilya Taruna Tari Hoti"KanchanbhatDindi
21"Tu Taak Chiruni Hi Maan"Sharada 
Act Four
Track #TitleCharacterNotes
01"Lagna Navhe Maran Udya"Sharada 
02"Maagil Janmiche, Atache"Sharada 
03"Koni Kahi Naka Shikavu Aata"Sharada 
04"Pal Ghadi, Ghadi Din Bhasatase"Bhujanganath 
05"Bhalya Manasa, Daslakhachi Goshta"BhujanganathFatka
06"Himnag Jo Pashanhriday"Vallari 
07"Vruddhapani Ti Navadara"Janhavi 
08"Jhala Sang Vivah"ChorusSholk
09"Bramhan Saare Jamala"Kodand 
10"Aadhi Tujhya Ya Dukhane"Indirakaku 
11"Mee Samaju Tari Kaay"Sharada 
12"Mya Lotali Sankati"Kodand 
Act Five
Track #TitleCharacterNotes
01"Ghat Teen Dhanane Bharale"Kanchanbhat 
02"Haal Ikadache Pahavaya Ka"Indirakaku 
03"Nashibi Ase Nach Te Tale"IndirakakuRaag: Bhairavi; Taal: Tintal
04"Te Kutil Kapati"Kodand 
05"Bhumisadan Dhanahin Asa Mee"KodandSaki
06"Naagini Chapal Khaljivha"Kodand 
07"Saday Shant Asasi Marana"Sharada 
08"Jee Mala Janm De"Sharada 
09"Thamb, Thamb, Karisi Asa"Kodand 
10"Kaay Me Abhagini"SharadaRaag: Kanada; Taal: Dadra
11"Ghei Mam Vachan He"Kodand 
12"Haa Baldiwakar Kari"Kodand 
13"Jevha Vaad Bhara Aala"Hriranyagarbha 
14"Gruhalakshmi Hi Stree"JagadguruSaki
15"Jarathe Na Vivaha Karava"Kodand 
16"Sumantrimandal Saarvabhaumini"Chorus 

In society

Prior to staging of Sangeet Sharada, plays with historical and mythological stories were popular in Marathi theater. With a message to abolish child marriage from society, the play became "a pioneer in social drama in India" in 1899.[7] The show gained popularity in such a way that when Child Marriage Restraint Act, also known as "Sarda Act" was passed, it was mistaken to be named after the play as "Sharada Act". Passed on September 28, 1929, the act was proposed by Haribilas Sarda and was actually called so after his surname.[1]

The songs of the drama still remain popular. The song "Mhatara Na Ituka" was used in 2011 Marathi film Balgandharva. Recently in January 2012, a modern version of the play Sangeet Sharada - A Reality Show was staged in Mumbai. The revived play gave a modern perspective to the play. All songs from the original drama were used; some used the new genre of music in them. The play was staged by employees of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.[8] In 2011, the play was also transliterated into Braille script.[9]

Incidentally, on 21 December 1909 while the play was being performed at the Vijayanand Natyagruha, Nashik, the then British Collector of Nashik, A. M. T. Jackson was shot dead by the freedom fighter Anant Laxman Kanhere.[10] The play was being performed by Annasaheb Kirloskar's Kirloskar Natak Mandali where the lead role of Sharada was being played by Bal Gandharva.[11]

References

  1. Gokhale, Shanta (April 15, 2009). "Beyond entertainment: Sangeet Sharada". Mumbai Mirror. Mumbai. The Times of India. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  2. Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. South Asia Books. ISBN 978-8172016494. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  3. Kasbekar Richards, Asha (2006). Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. ABC-CLIO. p. 336. ISBN 978-1851096367. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  4. "Stars: Vishnupant Pagnis (1892-1943)". Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  5. "Bapurao Pendharkar". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  6. Priya, Shashi (April 7, 2009). "Play on". Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  7. Sahani, Alaka (July 11, 2011). "The Revival Drama". The Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  8. Manisha Nitsure Joshi (January 13, 2012). "आजची 'शारदा' येतेय!". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Mumbai. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  9. Chatterjee, Swasti (December 6, 2011). "Compilation of five classic Marathi plays in Braille script released". Pune. The Indian Express. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  10. Dr. Saral Dharankar. "अनंत कान्हेरे पराक्रम दिनाची परिणामकारकता" (in Marathi). Nasik: Loksatta. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  11. Y. D. Phadke (April 18, 2008). "कारनामा क्रांतिकारक कान्हेरेंचा..." Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Mumbai. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
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