Noted Marathi stage actor Prof. Dr. Lakshman Deshpande passed away on the 24th of February 2009. He was 66 years old and is survived by his wife and two sons.
With his death, Marathi stage has suffered a huge loss. He was famous for his one act play "Varhad Nighalay London la" (Marriage Procession goes to London). The play is all about a marriage party from a village in Marathwada going to London to solemnize the marriage and the resultant comic situation. Dr. Deshpande used just 3 simple lights, couple of mikes while he enthralled the audience portraying 52 different characters of the marriage party. The show ran for more than 2900 times. His rendering of 52 characters and the success of the show earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records beating an American theatre artiste. The one act play was staged at USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia. The Hindi adaptation of this one act play had also become quite popular. Apart from this, he has directed more than 50 plays, presented “Natasamrat” in two-character format which also celebrated its silver jubilee. He also staged other plays such as “Bandhamukta”, “Ghar Tighanche Hawe” and “Buwa Tithe Baya”.
He was honored as the President of Marathi Natya Sammelan, Recipient of Vishnudas Bhave award among various other awards.
He was the head of dramatics department at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad. He was instrumental in cultivating talent of stage actors in Marathwada as he chose to stay back in Aurangabad against moving to Mumbai for more success. He demonstrated that if someone is good, they can earn success even staying away from Mumbai with his own example.
Personally for me – he was colleague of my parents, a family friend and teacher of my mother-in-law. His sudden demise has left us shocked and aggrieved.
May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to the family. Dr. Deshpande, we would really miss you.
With his death, Marathi stage has suffered a huge loss. He was famous for his one act play "Varhad Nighalay London la" (Marriage Procession goes to London). The play is all about a marriage party from a village in Marathwada going to London to solemnize the marriage and the resultant comic situation. Dr. Deshpande used just 3 simple lights, couple of mikes while he enthralled the audience portraying 52 different characters of the marriage party. The show ran for more than 2900 times. His rendering of 52 characters and the success of the show earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records beating an American theatre artiste. The one act play was staged at USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia. The Hindi adaptation of this one act play had also become quite popular. Apart from this, he has directed more than 50 plays, presented “Natasamrat” in two-character format which also celebrated its silver jubilee. He also staged other plays such as “Bandhamukta”, “Ghar Tighanche Hawe” and “Buwa Tithe Baya”.
He was honored as the President of Marathi Natya Sammelan, Recipient of Vishnudas Bhave award among various other awards.
He was the head of dramatics department at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad. He was instrumental in cultivating talent of stage actors in Marathwada as he chose to stay back in Aurangabad against moving to Mumbai for more success. He demonstrated that if someone is good, they can earn success even staying away from Mumbai with his own example.
Personally for me – he was colleague of my parents, a family friend and teacher of my mother-in-law. His sudden demise has left us shocked and aggrieved.
May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to the family. Dr. Deshpande, we would really miss you.
1 comment:
Few weeks back I bought 'Warhad challay Londonla' and thought of watching it alone as wife doesn't understand Marathi. By this time we have together already watched it several times (mostly initiated by her)!!
What a great talent.
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