Reliving the glory of Balgandharva
On the occasion of the fiftieth death anniversary of famous Marathi theater actor and singer Bal Gandharva, Rajkamal Prakashan and Delhi Marathi Foundation launched the Hindi translation of his biography 'Balgandharva;' at Sahithya Akademi Hall, Rabindra Bhavan.
Balgandharva is the Hindi translation of the book 'Asa Ha Bal Gandharva' which was originally written in Marathi by Abhiram Bhadkamkar, who also happens to be the scriptwriter of biographical Marathi movie Balgandharva. The book is translated in Hindi by Gorakh Thorat, Professor at SP college, Pune and published by Rajkamal Prakashan. This novel is the biography of Narayan Shripad Rajhans, who got the title of Balgandharva from Bal Gangadhar Tilak after hearing him sing at a very young age and from then onwards he was known by the same name. He was also the first person in the country to receive Balgandharva Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
At the book launch, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, MP Rajya Sabha and President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations along with Kirti Shiledar, stalwart of Marathi sangeet natak, Ram Gopal Bajaj, senior theater personality, Deepak Karanjikar, actor and writer, Professor Gorakh Thorat, Satyanand Nirupam, Editorial Director of Rajkamal Prakashan Samuh and Abhijit Godbole from Delhi Theatre Foundation paid glowing tribute to Bal Gandharva.
Speaking on the occasion, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations said, "All the works of Abhiram Bhadkamkar are exceptional and the magic he creates with his writing is sensational. Translating Balgandharava into the Hindi language is a historic step, and we look forward to see this book being translated into other languages as well." He also said that he would take the initiative along with the help of others to bring this book to the World Hindi Conference.
The author of the novel, Abiram Bhadkamkar, said, "There are many such aspects of this novel on which Marathi society does not want to talk about. While writing this biography I experienced such a beautiful forest of talent that even now I have not been able to get out off. He was born in theater and he had spent his whole life on stage. Through this biography, I am just able to show a very small part of his life".
Ramgopal Bajaj senior artist said, "Balgandharva's actions and the devotion towards theatre dragged me on this stage, and I consider myself fortunate enough to have a chance to speak on Balgandharva's death anniversary."
Kirti Shiledar, a well-known Marathi actress, said, "Theatre has seen the good days only in the era of Balgandharva Natak Mandali."
