Reminiscing the Bhangwadi days of Gujarati theatre Manoj Shah in conversation with Utkarsh Mazumdar
Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm (IST)
Venue: The Hive, Khar
Watch it live: www.youtube.com/enatyachaupalOnce in Mumbai, in bustling, old Kalbadevi, there flourished a Gujarati theatre, now nostalgically referred to as the Bhangwadi theatre. The theatre, first and foremost, derived its name from the place in which it was performed and whose grand entrance gates can still be seen in Kalbadevi, though now just a shadow of their former glory.One of the more famous strands of the Bhangwadi theatre was the musical that featured live musicians who would not tire of delivering encores. These became so famous that Gujarati theatre history has claimed a musical tradition called Bhangwadi. In practice, the Bhangwadi theatre must have been a versatile theatre, even bordering on grand spectacles.It was enterprisingly run by the Gujaratis and the Parsis. It was a den of art and addiction- the name ‘Bhangwadi’ can be literally translated into an opium dwelling. Those were after all the times when the opium trade was at its peak – run mainly by the Parsis and the Gujaratis, and one can only imagine the heady mix of entertainment, opium and business.
Time: 5:00 pm (IST)
Venue: The Hive, Khar
Watch it live: www.youtube.com/enatyachaupalOnce in Mumbai, in bustling, old Kalbadevi, there flourished a Gujarati theatre, now nostalgically referred to as the Bhangwadi theatre. The theatre, first and foremost, derived its name from the place in which it was performed and whose grand entrance gates can still be seen in Kalbadevi, though now just a shadow of their former glory.One of the more famous strands of the Bhangwadi theatre was the musical that featured live musicians who would not tire of delivering encores. These became so famous that Gujarati theatre history has claimed a musical tradition called Bhangwadi. In practice, the Bhangwadi theatre must have been a versatile theatre, even bordering on grand spectacles.It was enterprisingly run by the Gujaratis and the Parsis. It was a den of art and addiction- the name ‘Bhangwadi’ can be literally translated into an opium dwelling. Those were after all the times when the opium trade was at its peak – run mainly by the Parsis and the Gujaratis, and one can only imagine the heady mix of entertainment, opium and business.
In our eNatya Chaupal on Friday, 17th July 2015 at 5 pm, Gujarati theatre veterans Manoj Shah and Utkarsh Mazumdar evoke the memories of this spectacular theatre and its musical heritage in particular.
The Entry is free for all. There’s limited space and it’s on first come first serve basis.
Reminiscing the Bhangwadi days of Gujarati theatre Manoj Shah in conversation with Utkarsh Mazumdar