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Tee
Phulrani leaves an aching void on stage and screen
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Life - Sketch
If Doordarshan Bombay, as it used to be known in those years,
had a mascot, it would have been the petite and stylish Bhakti
Barve. She was among the more popular news-readers on the
primetime 7.30pm bulletin and her trademark nod of the head
was the familiar comfort factor for viewers.
In the black-and-white era, the scope to imitate her saree
sense or hair arrangement was limited but she still commanded
a following and became a celebrity much before news anchoring
had become the fashionable profession. For Barve, it was not
merely a profession. She did it with elan that has never been
repeated on DD Mumbai again, rivalled perhaps only by the
late Smita Patil.
News reading
and recounting the next week's programme in Saptahiki was
only one facet. Barve's strength lay in commanding her roles
on stage in so brilliant a manner that the stage space seemed
too small for her petite frame. She became synonymous with
the flower-girl in Tee Phulrani that the late writer-musician-humourist
Pu La Deshpande had adapted from GB Shaw's all-time favourite
Pygmalion. The lilting mala shikvaila yetos tu gyaan... dialogue
which Barve rendered in pigtails would have the audience in
splits. Shows were sold out as soon as they were announced.
The play and her performance became a rage in Marathi theatre.
Pu La
and Barve remained the closest of friends and colleagues till
his death last year. And, though the role was briefly done
by Priya Tendulkar and Sukanya Kulkarni, it was Barve's enactment
that gave it a magical edge and drew the crowds in. So consumed
was she by the role that she performed a solo-act Pu La, Phulrani
aani Mee which also was a hit. Barve was returning from a
performance of this play in Wai when the accident happened.
Barve
also acted in the critically acclaimed DD produced telefilm
Bahinabai. The ease with which she slipped into the role of
Ahirnani and carried off the role of the poetess-saint saw
her accolades pouring in.
Most recently,
her power-packed performance was as the central protagonist
in Aai Retire Hoth Aahe directed by husband Shafi Inamdar
(now translated into Hindi with Jaya Bachchan in the lead
role) and Nagmandal. She also acted in Marathi serials andidni
and Gharkul. Barve-Inamdar took a brief journey into Bollywood
in Kundan Shah's dark comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaron. She was conferred
the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1990 and also chaired the
Sahitya Sammelan at Kankavli in 1995.
Himself
a consummate stage, television and film actor, Shafi Inamdar
and Bhakti Barve represented the ideal creative couple for
years until Inamdar died of a heart attack four years ago.
Reactions>>>
Rima Lagoo
: It's so sudden and tragic that I find it difficult to
believe. Her going away at a time when she still had so much
left in her to offer theatre, television and cinema is what
hurts most. She was a kind soul and would not think twice
about picking up the phone and praising you if she liked something
you did.
Sulabha
Deshpande
First Moghubai, then her. I don't know what is happening.
Why should fate have been so cruel to give her such a ghastly
death? I pray that her soul rests in peace. The effortlessness
with which she slipped into any character that she played
was amazing.
Nana
Patekar
(breaking down): She had gone out of her way to help me when
I was struggling. Kindness from great people like her kept
me going everytime I came on the verge of giving up. Her going
away will be very hard to get over.
Sukanya
Kulkarni
I can't even begin to think of what to say. She was a phenomenon.
And God knows the pressure on me when I stepped into her shoes
in ee Phulrani. The comparisons were too much to handle; yet
it was she who was generous with both compliments and tips.
Shriram
Lagoo
It is not often one comes upon artistes like her. While etching
out a character she would consciously take care that it does
not grow beyond other characters. I have watched her act with
an ease which is very rare. It's painful and it is with a
profound anguish I bid farewell.
Ashalata
Wabgaonkar
Though she was a quiet person, she was very warm and affectionate.
She was also generous with compliments. Frankly, none of us
can match the majesty with which she ruled the stage.
Kundan
Shah
She was one of the finest actresses with an amazing range.
The part in Jaane bhi do yaron wasn't intended for her. My
actress walked out at the last minute and someone recommended
Bhakti. I went to see her play Hands Up. I remember the first
meeting; I was tense but Bhakti put me at ease. I explained
that the film was on NFDC budget but money did not matter
much to her. I rememeber a special event which Shafi had arranged
for her shortly after their marriage.
It was
a big event, and Shafi had invited many theatre persons. Bhakti
performed different scenes of the play Reshamganth in Hindi,
Marathi and English. It was a beautiful tribute to the complete
and verstile actress that she was.
Ratna
Pathak Shah
I met Bhakti Barve on many occasions. I just feel so terribly
sorry that she has gone so soon, without realsing her tremondous
potential. She was a very dedicated actress, very well read
in Marathi literature and deeply loved what she was doing.
I think it so sad that her talent did not get the larger canvas
she so richly deserved.
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