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Mahesh Elkunchwar has written and produced some of the most influential and progressive plays of post-Independence India, and is part of the trinity, with Vijay Tendulkar and Satish Alekar, that has shaped modern Marathi theatre. This volume brings together six acclaimed plays-'Garbo', 'Desire in the Rocks (Vasanakand), 'Old Stone Mansion' (Wada Chirebandi), 'Reflection' (Pratibimb), 'Sonata', and 'An Actor Exits' (Eka Natacha Mrityu)-written by Elkunchwar. Elkunchwar's plays, with their wide-ranging themes-the passage of time and mortality, identity and sexuality, religious tension and gender issues, human bonding and alienation-focus on human relationships and personal and moral choices which are the classic concerns of all great works of literature. Along with a comprehensive introduction by noted theatre critic Samik Bandyopadhyay, this volume includes production histories of each play, the playwright's notes on his intense experience with Indian theatre, and a photo section depicting stage performances.
This collection captures the shifting landscape of post-Independence Indian society through the lens of six seminal plays that examine the fragility of human connection. The protagonist in each work navigates the tension between traditional societal expectations and the internal drive for individual identity. Elkunchwar utilizes a variety of narrative frameworks, ranging from domestic realism to symbolic abstraction, to explore the constraints of morality and the inevitability of change. These plays function as a critique of the social structures that govern human behavior, forcing characters to confront their own alienation and mortality.
Readers and critics frequently highlight Elkunchwar's ability to balance intimate character studies with broader socio-political commentary. Discussion often centers on the playwright's mastery of the Marathi theatrical tradition and his influence on contemporary Indian drama. The collection is noted for its thematic depth, particularly regarding the tension between individual agency and the weight of historical legacy. Critics often point to the atmospheric quality of his writing, which effectively captures the nuances of human alienation and the complexity of moral choices. This volume is widely regarded as a significant resource for understanding the evolution of modern Indian theatre.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2009-05-03
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195697979
ISBN-13:
9780195697971
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