Can Ranbir Pull Off Balgandharva, the Iconic Marathi Singer-Actor?

Balgandharva was a singer-actor from the golden era of Marathi musical theatre.

Ranbir Kapoor (L) and Balgandharva. (Photo: The Quint)

Ranbir Kapoor to play Balgandharva?The news surprised fans of the Bollywood heartthrob. But those who follow theatre know that such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime.

The film on Balgandharva will be made by Banjo director Ravi Jadhav. (Photo: Film publicity poster)

Who is offering Ranbir the role of Balgandharva?

Ravi Jadhav had earlier directed a biopic of the artiste in Marathi. (Photo: Film publicity poster)

Banjo director Ravi Jadhav wants to remake his super hit Marathi film Balgandharva in Hindi. And if Ranveer Singh can play Bajirao, we trust Ranbir can pull off the role of Balgandharva.

The legendary singer played female leads with elan and grace. 

Who was Balgandharva?

He was the eminent singer-actor from the golden era of Marathi sangeet natak (musical dramas)  who played female leads with such grace and elan that none could say it was a man dressed as a woman.

Born on 26 June 1888 in a village in Satara district, he was deaf in one ear. The cherub-faced boy was named  Narayan Shripad Rajhans. Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak was so impressed  with the boy’s singing that he called him Balgandharva, which literally means ‘the celestial singer’. The name stuck on.

The artiste, whose real name was Narayan Rajhans, was dubbed ‘Balgandharva’ as a child by Lokmanya Tilak.

Shahu Maharaj, the Raja of Kolhapur, encouraged his artistic journey.

Balgandharva soon became famous for playing female characters, since women were not allowed to act on stage during his time.

Balgandharva as the courtesan Vasantasena in Sudraka ’s Mritchakatikam. (Photo: Screengrab from Alchetron)

Balgandharv’s USP?

His genius lay in enacting a variety of woman character roles on stage. He did it with such grace and realism that the identity of the artiste and the art was total and complete.

His famous roles include :

• Bhamini in Manapman (1911)
  
• Rukmini in Swayamwar(1916)
  
• Sindhu in Ekach Pyala (1920)
  
• Sharada in Sangeet Sharada (1909)
  
• Vasantsena in Mritchakatikam

A postage stamp released in honour of the thespian. 

The only male role he ever played was that of Saint Eknath in a film.

Balgandharva as Saint Eknath. (Photo: Screengrab of archival film)

In 1955 he was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 1964 the Padma Bhushan followed. The accomplished theatre stalwart died on 15 July 1967.

Video Editor: Prashant Bhardwaj