PUNE: Dhola-tasha and a grand star-studded procession marked the beginning of the
golden jubilee
celebrations of Balgandharva Rangmandir, the city’s
iconic auditorium.
Two artists dressed to match the male and female roles essayed by legendary Balgandharva were seated in a bullock cart that carried a huge poster of the famed theatre personality in a sari.
Many eminent personalities from the entertainment industry said it was a homecoming as they had performed many times on its stage.
Recalling one of her first memories of the auditorium, theatre artist Jaimala Inamdar said, “ I joined the entertainment industry when I was 18 years old. Since then, performing at Balgandharva has been a matter of pride. The play ‘
Gadhavach Lagna
’ was staged here first and then in 2002 we performed it here again for the 2,000th time. Remarkable memories are associated with this theatre.”
Actor Sunil Godbole recalled something about the auditorium.
“A family which had experienced an unfortunate event had come to see the play ‘Gadhavach Lagna’. After the play they came to me and said they wanted to bow down to me as it was the first time in four months that they had laughed. I will never forget those words and nor those faces,” he said.
Eminent compere and anchor
Sudhir Gadgil, who was also part of the procession, said, “I was here when the foundation was laid, I was here when this auditorium was inaugurated, I was here when the renowned humorist P L Deshpande anchored the first show and I am here when it is celebrating 50 years,” he said.
The procession started from the auditorium and headed to Shaniwarwada via
Appa Balwant Chowk
and then came back.
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