Frail Deshpande’s humour retains plenty of strength

“I am grateful and happy that you have come in such large numbers, but I cannot speak even one tenth of what I want to,” Deshpande said while talking to newsmen here today on the eve of his 80th birthday, words do not not flow easily.

P C Merdekar had written Sarve Santu Sukhina, Sarve Santu Niramaya. Deshpande, twisting the words said, “It is now, Sarve Santu Routina (routine) it is the medicines, and in large quantity, which has become part of the routine life and the heavy dosage makes me drowsy.”

During the 45-minutes meeting, the first time in many years, with the press, Deshpande repliedin only a few words. It was his wife Sunitabai who dominated the proceedings and replied to reporters queries.

Though he may wish to write, how can one do so with the advancing age coupled with Parkinson’s disease, Sunitabai replied adding that he (Deshpande) has accepted the facts of life.

Due to restricted movements, Deshpande said, “It is only shravan bhakti now,” meaning that he now only enjoys listening to cassettes.

When asked about what he was listening to lately, he replied humourously: “Whatever I hear now is the latest. I listened to Rashid Khan.”

Unable to adjust to the sophisticated gadgetry in the music systems, the humourist said, “I have become a non-gadget officer.”

However, he lauded upcoming singers like Shaunak Abhishekhi, Pushkar Lele and Savani Shende.

When asked if he felt as having missed writing on any subject despite having written in volumes for over five decades, Deshpande replied, “I would have loved to write, but am unable to do so.” When asked why he doesn’ttake help of a writer, Despande said, “You cannot maintain a link between words and thought.”

Deshpande’s most recent public appearance was a fortnight ago on the occasion of release of a documentary on him, produced by Jabbar Patel for the Yashwantra Chavan Pratisthan.

Sunitabai was all praise for the documentary, though delayed. “He (Jabbar) has done a good job,” she said.

Expecting a large number of well-wishers from different walks of life, Sunitabai requested the press not to come on the writer’s birthday on November 8, saying he would require rest.

It is for this reason “we arranged a meeting with Bhai (as Deshpande is addressed) to interact with the press earlier,” Sunitabai said.