Rahul Deshpande, grandson of the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist and performer of Natya Sangeet Late Vasantrao Deshpande was in Hyderabad for a performance.
“Since last six years I have been trying to revive Marathi musicals,” said Rahul, adding, “Maharashtra has a rich legacy of natya sangeet and it’s our responsibility to keep it alive. I started enacting the role of Ustad Aftab Hussein Khan Bareillywale in the Marathi musical play Katyar Kaljat Ghusli — this role was essayed by my grandfather in the olden days. Then came time to revive a yesteryear musical Sangeet Maanapamaan. Legendary artistes such as Bal Gandharva, Dinanath Mangeshkar and Chhota Gandharva had acted in this play written by noted playwright Kakasaheb Khadilkar and it was first staged in 1911. Many of the songs from Marathi musicals such as Shoora mee vandile, Yuvati mana, Ravi mi ha chandra and Nahi mi bolat are still popular today. After looking at the response for the plays, I suggested Subodh Bhave to make the play into a movie — Katyar Kaljat Ghusli. And the response has been unbelievable. I have seen four-year-old kids singing along.”
Talking about his current projects, Rahul said, “There is a project with Marathi theatre veteran Prashant Damle on the musical Sangeet Sanshay Kallol which completes 100 years this year. For the last 10 years I have been organising a three-day music festival Vasantotsav in memory of my grandfather in Pune and this year, I also organised it in Nasik and Nagpur this year.”
Classical music has its intricacies which can be enjoyed by even a common man, as long as everyone is open to listen to it, says the artist. “Growing up, I enjoyed listening to Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mehdi Hasan, Sonu Nigam, Ghulam Ali and Suresh Wadkar. Keep an open ear. Enjoy whatever music comes your way. Music should be a part of everyone’s life,” he concluded.
