A song for every season, reason, emotion and situation — that’s film music for you. The connoisseurs of classical music might look down upon its compatriot for being too massy. But it is a versatile form and the credit for this goes to the musicians and composers who bring in their influences and offer something for every listener.
A sangitika (musical) — Aamhi Duniyeche Raje — traces the golden years of Marathi film music. Conceptualised and directed by music composer, Devendra Bhome, the two and half hour show has been produced by Wide Wings Media & D’verb Experience.
The show, which opens on August 30 at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, will take the audience behind the scenes and introduce them to how music is composed, besides weaving in anecdotes of stalwart artists and how they worked.
Talking about the show, Bhome says, “I have been working in the music industry for quite some time now. And for nearly six years, I was studying, researching the history of Marathi film music and musicians. The period between 1910-1960 can be termed as ‘Golden Era of Marathi film music’. The range of music composed by Master Krishnarao, Pu La Deshpande, Vasant Prabhu and the like is incredible. These people were the ones who experimented with various styles, and sought popular and critical acclaim. The musicians who followed in their wake, including the current crop of artists, are expanding on their work.”
Bhome had always thought of doing a stage show to showcase their work, but before all the things fell into place, he came out with a webseries. “The webseries, Shata Janma Shodhtana, came out last year. It was presented by Subodh Bhave and Gautami Deshpande and became very popular. Even now, people keep asking if I am bringing out its sequel. The stage was set for Aamhi Duyniyecha Raje, so to say,” says Bhome.
The title of the musical is a bandish by Krishnarao Phulambrikar, popularly known as Master Krishnarao. “Master Krishnarao was the first one to introduce classical music in films. He is known for the music score given to films like Manus, Dharmatma. We have also featured the music of Pu La Deshpande’s Batatchyachi Chaal, Sudhir Phadke’s Bhav-geet and so on,” adds Bhome.
Other popular musicians and their signature tunes are also being showcased in Aamhi Duniyeche Raje. For instance Vasant Prabhu is known for compositions like Rhim zhim paus pade sarkha, Ganga Jamuna dolyat ubhya ka, Tujhya gala, Mazya gala. Vasant Pawar and Ram Kadam are synonymous with popular lavanis like Tujhya usala lagal kolha, Kasa kay Patil bara hay ka and Ali thumkat.
On the stage, four musicians — Jaydeep Vaidya, Shruti Athavale, Mukta Joshi and Ashutosh Mungale — will recreate the popular melodies with Ketan Pawar and Bhome presenting live music. Actors Abhijit Khandkekar and Gautami Deshpande will be the narrators, sharing stories on music and musicians.
Sounds like a treat, doesn’t it?
ST Reader Service
Aamhi Duniyechi Raje will premiere on August 30 at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud, 9.30 pm. Tickets are available at www.ticketees.com
