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“Batatyachi
Chaal”, Marathi theatre’s first-ever one-person revue style
show was brought to life by P. L. Deshpande over 40years ago.
Based on P. L.s book of the same name, Deshpande used
to perform the show alone, against a blue backdrop with only
a bench and an umbrella and muffler as the only props.
The
audiences then were already hooked to his books and were coming
to experience P. L.’s literature in a new medium – theatre.
In
the new production, the challenges were to present P. L.’s legacy
to a new generation, another kind of audience with a different
cultural upbringing and exposed to other forms of entertainment.
Hence the decision to have a multi-actor presentation,
with elaborate sets and lighting. The production, like the original,
comprises 4 episodes among the many from P. L.’s book, revolving
around the lives and times of the middle-class residents of a
particular chawl in Girgaum, Mumbai , around the pre- to post-independence
years.
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Upaas
The
opening episode deals with a certain Mr. “Panta” who decides
to go on a dietary fast simply to trim his weight. However,
this decision (against the background of the political hypocrisy
of the period) is interpreted as having several hidden motives
as perceived by the residents of the chaal, but sadly unknown
to ‘Panta’ himself. What follows is a hilarious slew of advisors
and sympathizers, and, fed up of it all, ‘Panta’ gives in and
‘breaks’ his fast.
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Sangeetika
Directed
by Anant Amembal, the musical revue again deals with the life
of the chaal-dwellers through the medium of music, of that era.
It showcases some popular tunes, and musical styles of the period
but with tongue firmly in cheek.
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Bhraman
Mandal
This episode revolves around a “tourist club” started
enthusiastically by some chawl members and is the only part retained
as a one-man narration as Pu.La. originally performed it. Dilip
Prabhavalkar not only portrays the 4 major characters (members
of the Bhraman Mandal) but also a number of walk-on parts such
as other residents of the chawl, the Victoria driver, train coolies,
and fellow passengers.
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Chintan
The culminating piece is a sentimental look at
what the culture of living in a chaal system was all about, how
the residents of the chaal, and the attitudes of society changed
over the years and how, finally, the ‘new generation apartment
blocks’ have taken over and bred a culture far different from
that of the chaal.
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