'Chandrashala' - Awishkar's children's theatre wing to be revived...
June 17, 2016 2:02:18 PM IST MTG editorial
In order to keep Awishkar's rich tradition of Marathi children's theatre going, Mohan Joshi, the Chairman of the Marathi Natya Parishad extended his support to the revival of Awishkar's children's theatre wing - 'Chandrashala'. This would be a befitting tribute to Sulabha Deshpande who was the founder of Chandrashala. Joshi said this at the recently held memorial service of Sulabha Deshpande at Yashwant Natyamandir in Matunga. The veteran actress passed away on 4th June 2016.
Sulabha Deshpande was remembered as much for her warm smile, effortless acting, as for her relentless crusade for experimental theatre.
Interestingly, the plot of land on which the Marathi Natya Parishad stands today, was once allotted to Chandrashala by the BMC Government. However, due to the paucity of funds, Awishkar could not avail of the reward granted to it and so Prabhakar Panshikar, the then Chairman of the Natya Parishad, urged the Government to transfer the land to the Natya Parishad, which in turn would provide space for Chandrashala. Although the Natya Parishad flourished on the plot of land originally pledged to Awishkar, Chandrashala was never accommodated in it. Promises were not kept. Sulabha Deshpande along with Vijay Tendulkar and Damu Kenkre had raised their voice for the rightful place for children's theatre but to no avail.
Veteran actor, Chandrakant Kulkarni jogged everybody's memory about this bone of contention upon Deshpande's demise. Mohan Joshi promptly pledged to make amends and revive Chandrashala by providing it an appropriate place.
The memorial service was attended by Sulabha Deshpande's family members. Many others who had known her and shared a close association with her were present too. The condolence meeting concluded with Chandrashala's song rendered by its former theatre artistes - all grown-up women now who recalled their days as Chandrashala's child artistes - the many Durgas of its famous production - DURGA ZAALI GAURI.
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