MUMBAI, Sept 26: Noted Marathi theatre actor and director of Marathi's most controversial play, Vijay Tendulkar's Sakharam Binder, Kamlakar Sarang, died yesterday of prolonged illness in Chembur's Amita Nursing Home. He was 64 and is survived by his actress wife, Lalan Sarang, and cameraman son, Rakesh Sarang.Sarang is best remembered as a director of Sakharam., a play his first commercial venture that caused major ruffles in the rather quiet cultural world of Maharashtra. The censor board had taken a strong exception to the vulgar language and scenes in the play. Sakharam. was banned.Sarang went to court over it and won the case within a year. The play was a super hit what with 350 packed shows to its credit. Sarang even wrote a book on his legal battle, called Binderche Divas. His other directorial ventures include Gharte Amuche Chhan, Baby, Junglee Kabutar, Chi Sow Kan etc. He even directed serials for Doordarshan viz Zopi Gelela Jaga Jhala in Marathi and Rathachakra and Anandi-Gopal inHindi.A student of Ramnarayan Ruia College, Sarang was closely attached to theatre from his college days. He won INT's best director's award in 1961 for his play Manoos Navache Bet. The Marathi theatre fraternity has expressed deep shock over his death. Several actors and directors were present at the Dadar cemetery where he was cremated this morning.
