Social Issues Reflected In Select Marathi Drama in English Translation A Critical Study With Special Reference To Mahesh Elkunchwar Datta Bhagat And G P Deshpande

Abstract

Mahesh Elkunchwar, Datta Bhagat and G.P. Dehspande are leadfing playwrights newlinein Marathi Theatre. They have sincerely given voice to the contemporary issues through newlinetheir plays. Their plays are performed at the national and international theatres. The newlinepresent research aims at investigating social issues in the contemporary society, reflected newlinein the plays of, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Datta Bhagat and G.P. Dehspande. The thematic newlineconcern of their plays has gained much attention of the audience in the present time. newlineMahesh Elkunchwar is one of the major playwrights of Marathi dramaturgy. He newlinemade several experiments in Marathi theatre through his plays based on social and newlinecultural issues. His famous works are Garbo, Rudra Varsha, Vasnakand, Parti, Wada newlineChirebandi (Old Stone Mansion), Pratibimb (Reflection), Atmakatha, Yugant etc. Prof. newlineDatta Bhagat is a thinker and author. He has presented dalit issues existed in the newlinecontemporary. His popular plays are Wata Palwata (Routes and Escape Routes, Awart newlineani itar Ekankika (Whirlpool),etc. He was elected as the president of Akil Bhartiya Dalit newlineNatya Sammelan (All India Dalit Drama Convention) at Ambejogai in 1986. G. P. newlineDeshpande has focused on the social and political thoughts in his plays. He is one of the newlineimportant contributors of experimental drama. His plays depict the political and social newlinephilosophy of contemporary time. His plays Udhwasta Dharmshala translated as A Man newlinein Dark Times is a popular play. His other play Raste is translated as Routes in English. newlineMarathi drama has age long tradition of six centuries. With the fall of Peshwas the newlineBritish Raj took the charge of Maharashtra. It was the beginning of new era which newlinebrought the change in political and social scenario. Britishers had a rich and developed newlinetradition of English literature in general and drama in particular. English plays were newlineperformed on the stage. In the same period, Shrimant Chintamanrao Patwrdhan motivated newlineVishnudas Bhave to write Sangeet Sita Swayanwar in 1843 which was performed in the newlinetheatre as a full-