“Civilization exists by geologic consent, subject to change without notice"
As I mentioned earlier, 100 years ago today Sangeet Manapman (संगीत मानापमान) was staged for the first time.
Although its great subsequent succes was because of team effort, men-of-the-match were writer Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar (कृष्णाजी प्रभाकर खाडिलकर), actors Bal Gandharva (बालगंधर्व) & Nanasaheb Joglekar (नानासाहेब जोगळेकर) and music composer Govindrao Tembe (गोविंदराव टेंबे).
I consider myself singularly lucky that on March 9 2011, I obtained a Marathi book on Govindrao Tembe's life: 'सांस्कृतिक महाराष्ट्राचे शिल्पकार : गोविंदराव टेंबे', 2006 लेखक: डॉ. सौ. चारुशीला दिवेकर ("Sanskritik Maharashtrache Shilpkar : Govindrao Tembe", 2006 by Dr. Mrs. Charusheela Divekar). The books comes with an audio CD. The book has detailed information on every song of Manapman.
I had been aware of its existence for a while now but then it was priced at Rs. 700. Now, it's available at Rs. 250/- from 'Granth Abhiman', Panaji (rajhaunsvitaran@dataone.in).
At that price it is a steal. When I ordered the book they sent it immediately wrapped in probably the best packing I have seen. The entire experience was a real pleasure.
I now have heard the CD and thumbed through the book, all 648 pages. I am in love with the book. I will keep reading it for many months to come.
I would love to read this book. Where would I get it now?
ReplyDeletecontact 'Granth Abhiman', Panaji at this email address: rajhaunsvitaran@dataone.in
ReplyDeleteGovindrao Tembe had written a few books. Among them, माझा जीवन विहार is not very readable. Large tracts in it are devoted to self-defense. माझा संगीत व्यासंग is very good.
ReplyDeleteTembe acted in two PRABHAT films: Ayodhyecha Raja and Maya Machchhindra. He also wrote songs for those films, and set them to tune. No playback those days, so he also sang the songs filmed on him. Both films are easily available in Pune and are highly watchable.
I saw this comment on your blog in a post made some time ago:
ReplyDeleteAnother virtue of Tembe's entire writing is the absence of self promotion or 'I'.
While the comment is very true of माझा संगीत व्यासंग, I was disappointed that he tried to settle scores in माझा जीवन विहार, and indulged in a bit of self-promotion in it: 'Balagandharva was an ok artist until Manapman; it was Manapman which brought to him fame and brought out the artistry in him' etc etc. Whether the assessment is accurate or not, the hint of boastfulness in it does strike a sour note.
Thanks anon for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI have still not read "माझा जीवन विहार" in its entirety but read only excerpts.
As you said the best quality of Tembe's entire writing is the absence of self promotion or 'I'.
For me it's the highest quality in an artist and so rare to find.
(Recently a popular Marathi writer was talking more about himself than Panipat-3 on Jan 14 2011! What a pity.)
I am going to return to these aspects of Tembe later.
I am also going to talk about his Stefan-Zweig-like comments about the life after the "great war".
Thanks again,