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Shortly after 'To Mee Navech', Panshikar entered into a partnership with Mohan Wagh (Owner of 'chandralekha' one of today's leading theatre companies) and Vasudeo Kolhatkar and launched 'Natya Sampada', their own Theatre Production House, on 8th April 1963. After a low-key start, the Company hit upon its first success with 'Ashrunchi Zaali Phule', a play written by Prof. Vasant Kanetkar. The cast comprised of theatre heavyweights such as Panshikar himself in the central role pf Principal Vidyanand, Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar (the most popular film and stage actor in those days), Mr. Chittaranjan Kolhatkar (a stalwart of Marathi theatre), Ms. Faiyyaz, Ms. Kusum Kulkarni etc. The Direction of this play was entrusted to Mr. Purushottam Darvhekar of Nagpur, for whom this was a first break on the commercial Marathi Theatre scene in Mumbai Mr. Darvhekar eventually became a great success in this field and settled down in Mumbai. The stage sets were designed and created by Mr. Raghuvir Talashilkar. Over a span of thirty six years, this play did 1,111 shows, Panshikar alone acting till the very last show the rest of the cast having undregone several changes. Finally, in afirst incident of its kind, the entire cast publicly 'retired' in an emotionally charged function, and one 'last show'. Normally, the launching of a play is associated with pomp and ceremony. True to its form, 'Natya Sampada' even discontinued a popular play in a blaze of glory. |
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