Sharad Ponkshe excels in and as 'Mi Nathuram.....................'
Written by Pradeep Dalvi and directed by Vinay Apte, the most sensational
Marathi play 'Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy' had invited controversy from a section
of people at the initial stage but the play is doing extremely well today, with
versatile actor Sharad Ponkshe very effectively putting forward the viewpoint of
the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi- the Rashtrapita of this country. The script makes
it clear that even Nathuram Godse did not deny that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
was a Rashtrapita and respected him for his sacrifice for the country. But, he
did not agree to his bowing down before the demands of Mr. Jeenha for partition
and offering Rs. 55 Crores by pressurizing the Government for the formation of
another country.
The play begins with the lead actor introducing himself as Nathuram Godse ,
having attained the century of his life; thus giving a clear hint to the
sensible audience that this year is the birth centenary of the protagonist, who
assassinated Gandhiji for a strong reason he believed in and in the interst of
the nation. Throughout the play, he never accepts that he murdered Gandhi,but admits having eliminated existence and be punished for the same. ( Mi tyancha khun nahi kela pan vadh kela aani tyabaddhal mala fashi vhaylach havi.) For
those, who know very little about the background of partition and about Gandhiji
forcing the Government to bow down to his demands, the play throws light on the
sentiments of the people who dreamed of 'Akhand Hindustan' (a vast country) with
unity as its strength. With the parting away of Rs. 55 Crores and losing the the
most auspicious Sindhu river to Pakistan, it was obvious that reactions would
come from the people. What for we fought for the country's independence? To see
this day of country's division? These are the issues raised by the protagonist
in this play.
In one hard hitting dialogue, Nathuram says, No individual should think himself
bigger than the country. In his opinion, the Mahatma was making the Government
dance on his tunes and never thought in the interest of the country and
especially those who were associated with freedom struggle for the country's
independence. The play condemns the arrest of Veer Savarkar on the suspicion of
his involvement in gandhiji's assassination. In one situation, the protagonist
says, that it was a worst decision on the part of Government to level charges on
a committed and dynamic freedom fighter, who fought for country's independence
with maximum imprisonment, during Bristish regime. "Wasn't that a biggest insult
to the freedom fighter, who was later acquitted ?" he questions.
At a particular situation, Nathuram utters, "I was never against a Muslim
becoming a Prime Minister of the country, but was deadly against the partition
and especially the after effects, where so many Hindus were massacred and sent
from the disputed area marking it as a border for partition. All that Gandhiji
did was to pray for the victims and for those who masacared them brutally. We
literally pleaded before Gandhiji by stopping his car on his way to meet Mr.
Jeenha and suggesting him not to bow down to his demands; but he never listened
to us. This hurt people like us the most and hence the drastic step."
The best thing about this play, is the simple but perfect set design, the light
effects and the costumes that literally takes the audience into that era. The
belief of the character of Nathuram Godse in the play that he is still alive to
see that vision of infinite India and India stretching its borders beyond
Pakistan and claiming the right to Sindhu river. This obviously goes on to
reveal that Nathuram Godse had expressed in his will, his last wish to immerse
his ashes in Sindhu river and to see it happen, the ashes may be carried over
from one generation to next in his family. At one particular situation the
character of Nathuram also goes on to reveal the attitude of Pakistan
government. It was Gandhiji's wish to immerse his ashes in all holy rivers of
India including Sindhu river. And, when permission was sought from Pakistan to
immerse his ashes in Sindhu river, the same was not granted.
The play has many such delicate situations handled in an effective manner, which
speaks about the creativity of the director- Vinay Apte. The 655 days Nathuram
spent in jail before he was hanged, his interaction with the Supdt. Of Police
Mr. Shaikh and his deputy Sawant in the Police lock up, the legal procedure, his
meeting with Gandhiji's son Devidas where he convinces him as to why he
assasinated his father and later Devidas turning up in his defence for seeking
pardon of death sentence; are very skillfully presented in the play. His
conversation with the Suptd. of Police a day before his hand over to Ambala Jail
for execution and the Muslim Police officer admitting before him that he hated
Jeenha and the partition, invites special attention of the audience. Few scenes
bring in some humour in scenes where the Muslim Police Suptd. Keeps a close eye
on his deputy who is a Hindu, doubting about his sympathy towards Nathuram. The
best thing about this play are the hard hitting dialogues that speak reality and
that holds the audience to their seats from start to finish.
Sharad Ponkshe with his brilliant performance in the role of Nathuram Godse has
proved that he is an actor par excellence. It is a pity that the actor and this
play are yet to receive major awards. When some of the realistic films made on
dacoits and hard core criminals can win national and international awards, this
play not qualifying for any awards, is something strange. There is nothing
objectionable in this play. In fact, it brings some facts before the new
generation. The supporting cast is good. The technical side of the play and the
background score by Ashok Patki is well suited to this script and different
situations.
