An Ode to the Legend

It is only fitting then that veteran actor-director Vijaya Mehta — who has a number of commercial as well as theme-based plays such as Barrister,Purush,Hamidabai Chi Kothi and Wada Chirebandi,and films such as Rao Saheb and Pestonjee to her credit — will be felicitated by Talegaon-based organisation Kalapini with a three-day cultural festival dedicated to her.

Anant Paranjape from Kalapini says,“Vijaya bai is a legend from the contemporary times. She has shaped the experimental cinema of modern India and we wanted to celebrate that.” The three-day festival,which begins on April 18,will see a variety of events dedicated to her.

The event,the first-of-its-kind to be held in the rural area,will feature a documentary film based on the veteran’s life and times. Other events include televised versions of her plays Hamidabai Chi Kothi and Wada Chirebandi,which will be screened at the event.

Hamidabai Chi Kothi (both the play and the telefilm),which is perhaps Mehta’s most successful and revered works,is set in the post-war era when film music records were gaining popularity and patronage for traditional kotha singing was dwindling. Against all odds,however,ageing singer Hamidabai had retained the singing tradition. But changing times and altering fortunes push her into an abyss from which she never recovers.

Mehta’s book Jhimma will also be released during the event. Written by her and noted Marathi writer Ambarish Mishra,the autobiography recounts her story running parallel with Marathi theatre,national television and films through the ’60s and ’70s.

There will also be a session where 78-year-old Mehta will share her thoughts with the audience. “This is the part that many in the audience will look forward to,” says Paranjape. Noted Marathi actors Neena Kulkarni and Pratima Kulkarni are also slated to talk about their mentor at the event.