Haswa Phaswi - Marathi Play

I have always enjoyed watching Haswa Phaswi and will always do, whether watching it live on stage or TV. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the play twice on stage around 10/12 years ago and have seen it countless times on TV since I have it’s VCD, which is aging now. But, I can’t dump it. It’s a treasure, I want to preserve. Probably it’s time to buy the small brother of VCD, DVD, since big brother VCD is tired of entertaining me by my constant replays of this particular play…….

When I watch this play I genuinely hold my stomach due to "laughing pain" caused during and after the show. I watch it definitely for it’s entertaining factor, but also for its actors who perform this play. My laughter pangs continue even after the play ends and crops up absolutely anytime of the day, month, year, just by thinking of certain scenes, dialogues, facial expressions of the actors or just about anything from the show which, generates a chuckle AND in turn pushes me to see it again and again. And I sure am enjoying this cycle ride.
This cycle ride wouldn’t have been possible without the actors involved. A play where one actor enacts 6 characters and other actor interacts with these 6 different characters. Watching Mr Dilip Prabhavalkar enact 6 characters is an experience in itself and ditto for Mr Liladhar Kambli OR Mr Hemu Adhikari playing the other role. I have seen both of them perform, the same role at different times and both are equally hilarious. All three are well known and respected personalities in Marathi Entertainment Industry, watching them perform is pure fun which I cannot put it in words and probably not fit to describe it. These actors don’t act, they perform and interact. Acting is all about interaction between actors, especially in this kind of play where action and reaction is of utmost importance or else all the punches fall flat. This play is a tutorial of how action and reaction should be a integral part of acting.

A play with one actor performing 6 different characters and one actor interacting with all these different characters in a marathi play is no easy feat . Making people laugh is a serious and tough business, but these guys make it seem like a cakewalk for 2 ½ hrs. Full marks to the entire team of Haswa Phaswi for creating such a unique and a great concept.
Dilip prabhavalkar brings on stage
1) chiman Rao ( He started his career, if I am correct with a TV show called "Chiman Rao ani (and) Gundya Bhau, hence he's lovingly known as "chiman rao" to the audience and is a supremely talented and gifted actor of India )
2) A chinese prince "Wan tun Pin Pin" from Ching Pong island
3) A cocky Chicken Seller
4) Dipti Prabhavalkar, sister of Dilip Prabhavalkar…...Dilip Prabhavalkar comes on stage dressed as a woman.
5) A cool dude ( paplu bhankas )
6) A aged and retired stage actor.
What’s commendable is how Dilip Prabhavalkar brings in his unique talent to interpret all six characters with studied body language, facial expressions and toning required for the roles. Moreover Liladhar Kambli and Hemu Adhikari just add their own to the party. Without their reactions it wouldn’t have been possible. Even the only supporting female lead in the play, helps make this play a hilarious outing for the whole family.

This play has been remade in Gujarati language with different set of actors, which I sadly haven’t seen. I am sure the actors concerned must have performed it well, since Gujarati theatre has talented bunch of actors. But even if I had seen it in any other languages, I would, anyday, prefer Dilip Prabhavalkar and Liladhar kambli or Hemu Adhikari performing on stage.

This play deserved a mention from me a long back and certainly not after 10 years. But after watching it on TV…..YES TV !!! I had to …..
When you spot a oasis in a desert you obviously jump with joy. I am referring to the programmes shown on TV channels nowadays. Present day scenario of Indian television is absolutely pathetic, if I may say so, at least programmes shown on Hindi and Marathi channels. Its full of pessimism. English channels = news = Breaking news. I will go in more detail regarding the same, but I think I will keep some fodder for my next post. So when there is dearth of good programmes and when a gem like Haswa Phaswi is telecasted on TV, I will definitely not leave the opportunity to watch it time and again.

Kip expressing :)