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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 presents the central conflicts of post-Independence Indian society through the lens of individual moral crises and the erosion of traditional structures. The protagonist in each play navigates a world defined by shifting social norms, the weight of familial history, and the search for personal identity. Elkunchwar utilizes a variety of narrative frameworks, ranging from domestic realism to symbolic abstraction, to examine the tensions between human desire and societal expectation. These plays operate within the constraints of a rapidly modernizing India, where characters must reconcile their private lives with the public pressures of religion, gender, and mortality.
Readers and critics frequently highlight Elkunchwar's ability to capture the nuance of human relationships within the specific cultural landscape of Maharashtra. Discussion often centers on his mastery of dialogue and his willingness to address taboo subjects such as sexuality and social hypocrisy. The collection is noted for its balance between intimate character studies and broader critiques of societal change. Scholars often point to the inclusion of Samik Bandyopadhyay's introduction as a vital resource for understanding the playwright's place in the modern Indian canon. The work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to the study of contemporary drama.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2011-02-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198069928
ISBN-13:
9780198069928
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