Under the influence of these vital actors a Marathi worker wrote a play called Dada. Years between the time gap1885-1920 were productive enough in terms of quality and the quantity of the plays and a delight for theatre connoisseurs. He gave a tremendous lead to the younger groups, which have been re-creating the Maharashtra village theatre through the Powada and the Tamasha. A leading contemporary dramatist, Mama Varerkar wrote social plays in a realistic style, attempting a synthesis between European convention and Indian content. Humorous social plays came later which gradually became a speciality of Marathi stage. As these were banned, the Marathi dramatists invented subtle stratagems to present their point of view in allegorical fantasies or in farcical comedies.

Even historical plays about the famous Marathi heroes like Shivaji and others, began to be written and presented. 'Natak Companies' were then floated, with an addition of the Hindustani classical music and dance in Marathi plays that were replete with mythological and social themes, which became popular instantly. Marathi theatre at first was more of an untried experimental theatre derived from the folk forms and the already breathing Shakespearean and Parsi dramas.

Influenced by Yakshagana, the traditional dance drama of rural Karnataka, the Marathi drama achieved a clear regional form by the middle of the 19th century. Sangeet Shrada is rightly the pioneer of social Marathi drama, intoxicating with its artistic and progressive focal points. Bhave specialized in light hearted farcical themes comically slaughtering the contemporary social developments providing a conducive platform to the upcoming good work. Marathi theatre rose in full swing in Pune and Mumbai, with the inception of dramas by Vishnupath Bhave, who used amorous and tragic themes. Marathi Theatre is an art form considered to be very rich aspect in Indian culture. Apart from the consolidation of a different territory Marathi glorious history can be traced back to several times, Maharashtra even indulging in the linguistic freedom.Īfter Bengali theatre in India, Marathi drama is indeed a pivotal break through, the Marathi culture oozing throughout. Medieval India witnessed overseas invasion, the silhouette of the same falling obliquely on Indian theatre chiefly Marathi theatre. Marathi drama and theatre are active in form from the middle of the 19th century and it is continuing till date the folk arts of Maharashtra being the backbone of its cultural ethos Maharashtra thrives to be the melting pot of several poles apart contradictory yet harmonious identities.

Marathi drama in pune today