Bal Gandharva Comes to Life
It's the early 1900, it's still sometime before India wakes up to motion pictures, the only source of entertainment are the folk art forms and theatre. The theater industry in Maharashtra, probably the best in the country, was experiencing one of its better periods. The stage was set perfectly for the rise of one of the most prolific stage artists ever. Narayan Shripad Rajhans - better known as Bal Gandharva - took the theatre by storm and brought about the golden age of Marathi theater. Balgandharva, which means 'Young Gandharva' (Gandharva- entertainer to god) was master in musical theatre who portrayed and immortalized various female characters (these were times when women were prohibited).
Now in 2011, the legend of Balgandharva has been captured on the silver screen by virtue of the movie Balgandharva. The biopic takes us through the life of the legend, it tells the story of his rise to stardom, the breaking away from his first theater house and creation of his own and so on.
The movie is a magnum opus in its own right as been produced by acclaimed Art Director Nitin Desai and portrayed by Subodh bhave and is indeed a treat to the eye, something Balgandharva himself was known for offering. The movie showcases the professionalism and showmanism that were synonymous with Balgandharva.
The very selection of this topic for a movie is applaudable.The USP of the movie is its grandeur and the music from the musical theatre era of the early 1900.The movie has been able to bring to life the golden age of marathi theater.The movie which has been produced in Marathi language, premiered at the cannes film festival.It has managed to gain critical acclaim and good public response
Its a commendable project which will surely bring to notice of the younger generation the brilliance that was Balgandharva.
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