Master Phoolmani Explained

Master Phoolmani
Characters:
  • Manilal
  • Vasantlal
  • Sumanlal
  • Bhatia Seth
Place:Horniman Circle Gardens, Mumbai
Orig Lang:Gujarati
Genre:Musical comedy
Web:https://iuproduction.com/master-phoolmani

Master Phoolmani is a 1999 Gujarati-language musical comedy play that was written by Chandrakant Shah and directed by Manoj Shah. The play was adapted from Satish Alekar's work Begum Barve (1979), which Chandrakant Shah rewrote from a Gujarati viewpoint to be more relatable to Gujarati audience. The play, which is one of Manoj Shah's best-known works, was first staged on 15 November 1999 at Horniman Circle Gardens, Mumbai. It was influenced by the Bhangavadi theatre style, and depicts the story of two out-of-work theatre actors who enter the fantasy of two aged bachelor clerks.[1] [2]

Background

Master Phoolmani was adapted by Chandrakant Shah from Satish Alekar's work Begum Barve (1979); Shah adapted the script to have Gujarati viewpoints so it would be more relatable to Gujarati audience.[3] The play's premiere, which was directed and produced by Manoj Shah under his company Ideas Unlimited, was held on 15 November 1999 at Horniman Circle Gardens, Mumbai, during the Prithvi Theatre Festival.[4] [5] As of 2015, over 100 performances of the play, which has 29 songs, have been held.[6] Bhupen Khakhar painted the play's backdrop.[7]

Plot

Master Phoolmani is about people who create fantasies to contest the harsh realities of the world. Manilal, an actor who uses the stage name Phoolmani, is famous for playing female roles. He is stuck with Bhatia Seth, the owner of a theatre troupe, who provides him employment whilst physically and emotionally abusing. Sumanlal and Vasantlal, government clerks who are bachelors with little chance of getting married, hate their lives and are waiting for a miracle to happen. In an intertwined fantasy, Manilal turns into a heroine named Vanlata and marries Sumanlal. They enjoy their fantasy and Manilal starts believing he is pregnant with Sumanlal's child. Sumanlal also believes he is going to be the father of Vanlata's child. However, Bhatia Seth and Vasantlal shatter their fantasy and the play, which takes a tragic turn.[8] [7] [9]

Cast

The original cast included:[8] [10]

Reception

Master Phoolmani was a great success and was performed hundreds of times.[4] Utpal Bhayani called the play a "fulfilling experience" and gave credit to the writer, director and actors. He praised the actors for their performances and especially praised the production team for authentically and accurately recreating the old Gujarati theatre experience, including the use of old songs, live music performances and old properties.[11] Dhwanil Parekh praised the "live presentation" of the songs and cited the play as a milestone in Gujarati theatre.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Displaying Thea 'tricks'. Ahmedabad Mirror. 23 March 2011. 19 October 2020. 22 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022060421/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/Displaying-Theatricks/articleshow/36634732.cms. live.
  2. Web site: Chandarana. Nittal. Melody, Jigs and Theatrics. 20 July 2014. vervemagazine. 27 October 2020. 22 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022234906/https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/indian-musical-theatre. live.
  3. Bhatt. Aradhana. September 2020. Doshi. Deepak. Manoj Shah: Ek Mulakat. gu:મનોજ શાહ: એક મુલાકાત. Interview with Manoj Shah. Navneet Samarpan. gu. P. V. Shankarankutti, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Mumbai. 41. 5. 67. 2455-4162.
  4. Book: Alekar, Satish. Collected Plays of Satish Alekar: The Dread Departure, Deluge, The Terrorist, Dynasts, Begum Barve, Mickey and the Memsahib. 2009. Oxford University Press. New Delhi. 421. 978-0-19-806023-9. Production Histories.
  5. Book: Somaaya, Bhawana. Bhawana Somaaya. Cinema: Images & Issues. 2004. Rupa & Company. New Delhi. 607594238. 54. 2020-10-27. 2020-10-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016185011/https://books.google.com/books?id=s_FkAAAAMAAJ. live.
  6. News: Soman. Sandhya. Kalbadevi's Gujarati theatre in Mumbai drew crowds from Kerala, Calcutta - Mumbai News. The Times of India. 19 July 2015. 19 October 2020. 22 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150722225325/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Kalbadevis-Gujarati-theatre-in-Mumbai-drew-crowds-from-Kerala-Calcutta/articleshow/48130034.cms. live.
  7. Web site: The TimeOut Mint Planner. Mint. 23 June 2011. 9 October 2020. 15 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201015194747/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nWkvefEvVy1qSJqVKcpZxN/The-TimeOut-Mint-Planner.html. live.
  8. News: Kumar. Rinky. 100 NOT OUT. Indian Express. 30 June 2011. 19 October 2020. 27 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027200925/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/100-not-out/810437/. live.
  9. Parekh. Dhwanil. Dhwanil Parekh. gu:મનોજ શાહ દિગ્દર્શિત નાટકો-એક અભ્યાસ. http://www.sahityasetu.co.in/issue5/dhvanil.html. Plays Directed by Manoj Shah: A Study. Sahityasetu. 1. 5. September–October 2011. 2249-2372. 2020-10-19. 2020-02-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20200220140237/http://www.sahityasetu.co.in/issue5/dhvanil.html. live.
  10. Web site: Master Phoolmani Gujarati Play/Drama. Mumbai Theatre Guide. 18 October 2020. 21 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201021044354/https://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/gujarati/07-gujarati-play-preview-master-phoolmani.asp. live.
  11. Book: Bhayani, Utpal. Utpal Bhayani. Natya Drishti: A Collection of Reviews on Dramas Staged on Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, English & Other Theatres. 2003. Mumbai. Image Publication Pvt. Ltd.. 31–33. 81-7997-084-1. gu.

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