Music as life

Mrighranjini is a sangeet natak with a focus on singer Baiju Bawra and his life-long 'sadhana'

Mrighranjini is a sangeet natak with a focus on singer Baiju Bawra and his life-long ‘sadhana’

The sonorous twang of a pakhawaj cut through the morning heat at Rashtra Seva Dal at Parvati. In the big hall there,a rehearsal was in progress. Four musicians sat in the stage’s foreground,while the backdrop was taken up by a painting showing a thick jungle cover. There was a cardboard cut-out of a tree in the centre,while a spartan hut-like structure took up one corner. The sangeet natak,Mrighranjini,begins with a traditional devotional song,a spirited number egged on by a beautifully low-key violin,a mouth organ,an energetic tabla and some well-placed pakhawaj interludes. The classic tale of the play,written by playwright Ashok Patole,relates the generational divide between legendary singer Baiju Bawra and his adopted son,Gopal Lal. The three-hour play,directed by Ravindra Khare,in classic sangeet natak style,will feature actors breaking into descriptive songs that push the narrative forward.

Mrighranjini was first produced on stage in 2007,but further shows got derailed due to a variety of reasons. This year’s revival will feature an entirely new cast,a slightly tweaked story line and a deeper focus on Baiju Bawra’s music. “Finance and finding the right producer were the biggest impediments,” admits classical singer Pandit Suhas Vyas,who turned music director with the play. He found the solution to the problem in Shirish Rairikar of Shirish Theatre,and Maharashtra Lalit Kala Nidhi.

When the idea for the play was taking shape,Pandit Vyas was initially approached to act,but he turned it down saying it wasn’t his “cup of tea”. He took up the music responsibilities and,as the cast acknowledges,gave the play a new dimension with a stronger focus on the Dhamar tal,of which Baiju Bawra is considered the doyen,and songs that are simple yet in keeping with the traditional form. The play will feature a total of 17 songs,including five bandishes.

The story dwells on the generational conflict between Baiju who believes in pursuing music as ‘sadhana’ and Gopal Lal,who wants to use his talents to earn riches and fame. “Baiju believed in austerity and refused a position in a darbar. But the son,whom Baiju found,adopted,raised and trained,refuses to acknowledge his father when performing for the Maharaja of Kashmir,” says Patole. The title of the play comes from the name of the raga that Baiju invented and which when performed would pull entranced hiran (deer) towards him. Nanded-based Dhananjay Joshi will don the role of Baiju for Mrighranjini,while actor Sanjeev Mahendale will play Gopal Lal. Prajakta Marathe plays Prabhavati.

The sangeet natak format was picked up because the idea was to do something different. “I believe it is a fallacy to say that today’s generation doesn’t like classical music. The reality shows have segments dedicated to this form,and youngsters know their classical songs just as well as their Ooh La La,” says Patole.

(Mrighranjini will be showcased on March 29 at 5:30pm at Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium,Kothrud)

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