NAGPUR: Parshuram Khune, a senior theatre activist and social educator who is one of the 91 Padma Shri awardees this year, has dedicated the recognition to lovers of zadipatti theatre.
“Without them it would have been impossible to reach this milestone. Padma Shri will increase the stature of this local art,” said Khune.
For the last 50 years, Khune has been in the field of zadipatti, a form of theatre practised only in Vidarbha. He has played more than 800 roles in more than 5,000 plays. Traditionally, the zadipatti season starts around Diwali and continues till February-March. It is a form of entertainment in rural areas which do not have movie theatres.
Along with this, Kune has worked to bring the youth who are under naxalite influence into the mainstream. Well-known for his comedy roles, Khune is fondly called the ‘Dada Kondke of zadipatti’.
Khune has also left a mark in religious, mythological, emotional and social dramas. 'Singacha Chaava', 'Swargavar Swari', 'Lagna Nachi Bedi', 'Ech Paala', 'Mary's Ghosts', 'Lavani Bhulli Abhangala', 'Me Baiko Tishna Navrayachi', 'Ek Nar Tin Bejaar', 'Baiko Ka Matoon Geli' ?' and 'Nath Ha Maja' are some of his popular and memorable roles.
The Padma awardee played the role of a father-in-law in the first zadipatti movie called ‘Daughter-in-law Patlinbai’.
Dr Hiralal Painter, a senior zadipatti actor, recalled that houseful boards were fitted as soon as Khune’s name appeared on the play sheet.
Dr Khune was sarpanch of Gurnuli village in Kurkheda tehsil for 15 years and deputy sarpanch for five years. He was the president of Zadipatti Kala Manch for 10 years and very actively pursued the work of eradicating superstitions also.
In 1991, he was honoured with the state award for agricultural excellence. In 1992, he received the Sunil Bhavsar Memorial Award while in 1995 he got the Kala Gaurav Award from Shyam Rao Bapu Pratishthan.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Chaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of In...
Read MoreChaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He has a PG degree in English literature and Mass communication. Chaitanya covers public health, medical issues, medical education, research in the fields of medicine, microbiology, biotechnology. He also covers culture, fine arts, theatre, folk arts, literature, and life. Proficient in Marathi and Hindi along with English, Chaitanya loves music, theatre and literature of all three languages.
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