Marathi playwright, teaching, theatre outreach in Maharashtra
Satish Vasant Alekar (born 30 January 1949[1]) is aMarathi playwright, actor, and theatre director. A founder member of the Theatre Academy ofPune, and most known for his playsMahanirvan (1974),Mahapoor (1975),Atirekee (1990),Pidhijat (2003),Mickey ani Memsahib (1973), andBegum Barve (1979), all of which he also directed for the Academy.Ek Divas Mathakade (2012) and Thakishi Samvad (2024) these two recent plays were directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari and Anupam Barve respectively. Along withMahesh Elkunchwar andVijay Tendulkar, he is considered among the most influential and progressive playwrights in modernMarathi andIndian theatre.[2][3][4]
He has also remained the head of Centre for Performing Arts,University of Pune (1996–2009), which he founded, after forgoing the Directorship ofNSD[5] and previously remained an adjunct professor at various universities in US, at the Duke University, Durhum, NC (1994), Performance Studies,Tisch School of the Arts,New York University as aFulbright Scholar (2003),[6][7] and Dept. Theatre and Film Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2005).
He was awarded theSangeet Natak Akademi Award inPlaywriting (Marathi) in 1994, bySangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. He received thePadma Shri award in January 2012.[8]After his retirement Satish Alekar was nominated by Savitribai Phule Pune University as Distinguished Professor on the campus from 2013 to September 2022. He is still on the visiting faculty of the SPPune University and the National School of Drama in Delhi. Recently he is also known for his screen acting in Marathi and Hindi feature films. He is seen in the character roles of films likeVentilator (2016).
Alekar gained his first stage experience as an actor in a college play. Impressed by his performance, directorBhalba Kelkar, who had set up the Progressive Dramatic Association, invited him to join it. Alekar wrote and directed his first one-act playJhulta Pool in 1969. He became a part of a young circle thatJabbar Patel had started within the Progressive Dramatic Association.[citation needed]
This group split with the parent body in 1973 and set upTheater Academy inPune. The split was overVijay Tendulkar's playGhashiram Kotwal. The senior members decided against its premiere in 1972, and Patel's group decided to produce it under the auspices of its own Theater Academy. Alekar assisted Patel in the direction of Ghashiram Kotwal, and the group has since mounted over 35 plays by him and manage to establish its foothold in experimental Marathi theatre.[9]
Alekar conceived of and implemented Playwrights Development Scheme and Regional Theater Group Development. TheFord Foundation for Theater Academy,Pune supported these programs from 1985 to 1994.
Alekar has collaborated in several international play translation projects. The Tisch School of Arts atNew York University invited him in 2003 to teach a course on Indian Theatre. The Department of Theater and Films Studies,University of Georgia invited him in 2005 to direct an English production of his playBegum Barve.
The Holy Cow Performing Arts Group inEdinburgh,Scotland performed an English version of Alekar'sMicky and Memsahib on 27 and 28 August 2009 at Riddle's Court at theEdinburgh Fringe Festival.[10]
After obtaining his master's degree, Alekar worked as a research officer in biochemistry at the government-runB. J. Medical College, Pune.
From July 1996 to January 2009, he worked as a professor and the head of the Center for Performing Arts (Lalit Kala Kendra) atUniversity of Pune. He was working as the honorary director for a program supported by Ratan Tata Trust at the University of Pune from 2009 to 2011. From 2013 to 2022 he was nominated by University of Pune as distinguished professor on the campus.
Pralay प्रलय (1985), Marathi version of Gunther Grass's German playThe Flood
Alshi Uttarvalyachi Gosht आळशी अत्तरवाल्याची गोष्ट (1999)
Nashibvan Baiche Don नशीबवान बाईचे दोन (1999)
Supari सुपारी (2002)
Karmaachari कर्मचारी (2009)
Alekar started writing at the age of 19 as a chemistry graduation, though most of his early works were short plays.[11] Many of his plays are set aroundPuneBrahmin society, highlighting their narrow mindedness and subsequently he ventured into small-town politics withDoosra Samna (1989).[12]Mahanirvan (1973) (The Dread Departure) finds black humour through Hindu death rites in Brahmins and its overt seriousness is today Alekar's best-known early work and has since been performed in Bengali, Hindi, Dongri, Konkani and Gujarati.[13] It was originally a one-act play and he had later expanded it at Patel's insistence. It was first staged on 22 November 1974 at the Bharat Natya Mandir, by the Theatre Academy, Pune and was revived in 1999 for its 25th anniversary, and was performed at the same venue, with most of the original cast intact.[14]
Mickey Ani Memsaheb (1974) was his first full-length script. With the exception of hisMahapoor (1975), he directed all of his own plays. Alekar'sBegum Barve (1979) is regarded as a classic of contemporary Marathi theatre.[15] It deals with the eponymous female impersonator's memories and fantasies. After his musical company closed down, a minor singer-actor starts selling incense sticks on the street and gets exploited by his employer. One day his fantasies get enmeshed with those of a pair of clerks who were his regular customers, and those fantasies get almost fulfilled. The play staged in Rajasthani, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Konkani, Tamil andKannada.[2] In 2009, 30 years after its first production, the play returned to Mumbai with its original cast of Chandrakant Kale, andMohan Aghashe.[16]
Alekar's other plays areBhajan,Bhinta,Walan,Shanivar-Ravivar (1982),Dusra Samna (1987), andAtireki (1990). The first three are one-act plays.Atireki is marked by irony, wit, and tangential take-offs from absurd premises. In January 2011 a book of short plays translated/adapted into Marathi by Satish Alekar published by M/s Neelkanth Prakashan, Pune under the title "Adharit Ekankika".
In 2022, all of Alekar's plays, including short plays in Marathi, were published as a new edition by the Popular Prakashan, Mumbai.
Aparichit Pu La (अपरिचित पु.लं.) (2018) was a 90 minute acting reading programme on the lesser-known writings of the writer, performer P. L. Deshpande पु.ल.देशपांडे (1919–2000) produced by Shabda Vedh, Pune (शब्द वेध,पुणे) to mark the birth centenary of the writer, and conceived by Chandrakant Kale. The cast included Satish Alekar, Chandrakant Kale and Girish Kulkarni. The first show was performed in Pulotsav on 22 November 2018 at Balgamdharva Ranga Mandir, Pune. Performances were also staged in Pune, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Mumbai.
Alekar scripted theNational Film Award, winning Marathi feature filmJait Re Jait in 1977, directed by Jabbar Patel. Later he directed the 13-part Hindi TV serialDekho Magar Pyarse forDoordarshan in 1985. He scripted the dialogues for the Marathi feature filmKatha Don Ganpatravanchi in 1995–96.
Alekar wrote a fortnightly column in Marathi for the Sunday edition of LoksattaGaganika from January to December 2015. The column was based on his career in the performing Arts since 1965. The column was popular, and the bookGaganika, based on the column, was published on 30 April 2017 by M/s Rajahans Prakashan, Pune.
Alekar is the recipient of several national and state awards for his contribution to the field of Theater and Literature.
In 1974 his collection of short playsZulta Pool (झुलता पूल) received best collection of short plays award from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of Maharashtra.
In 1975 he received Late Ram Ganesh Gadkari award from the State of Maharashtra for his playMahanirvan (महानिर्वाण).
He received fellowships from theAsian Cultural Council, New York in 1983 to study theatre in the US, and from the Ford Foundation to study Theatre of South Asia in 1988.
He received in 1994 aSangeet Natak Akademi Award for playwriting from Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi (संगीत नाटक अकादमी, दिल्ली).
Received State Award Best Actor in Comedy Role for the Marathi filmKatha Don Ganpatravanchi (कथा दोन गणपतरावांची), dir. Arun Khopkar (1997)
Received Vi Va Shirwadkar award (Poet Kusumagraj) for playwriting by Natya Parishad, Nasik in 2007
Received Lifetime Achievement felicitation (जीवन गौरव) by Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Mumbai in Feb 2012
He received the award Padamshree (पद्मश्री) conferred by the President of India in January 2012.[8]
In December 2013 Alekar received the Balaraj Sahani Memorial Award (बलराज सहानी स्मृती पुरस्कार) in Pune for his contribution over last 40 years as a playwright, director and actor.
In 2014 he was awarded Poet and Playwright Aarati Prabhu Award (कवि आरती प्रभू) by Baba Vardam Theatres, Kudal, Dist. Sindhudurg.
2017 Tanveer Sanman (तन्वीर सन्मान) national award for the lifetime contribution to the field of Theatre constituted by veteran actor Dr. Shriram Lagoo through Rupavedh Pratisthan, Pune. Award function was held in Pune on 9 December 2017.
2018 bookGaganika (गगनिका) received Advt Tryambakrao Shirole award for best non fiction (उत्कृष्ट ललित गद्य) by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune
2022 Natavarya Prabhakar Panshikar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar for the year 2021-22 by the State Government of Maharashtra highest Cultural Life Achievement Award.
2022 Vishnudas Bhave Medal award by Natyavidyamandir Samitee, Sangli
2023 Thespo Life Achievement Award at the hands of Utkarsh Mujumdar in the presence of Nassiruddin Shash, Ratna Pathak Shah and Atul Kuma during Thespo@25 Theatre Fest in Mumbai on December 10, 2023[17]
2024 Kantai Jeevan Gourav Award (Life Achievement Award) for 2023 by Bhavarlal Jsin Foundation, Jalgao at a ceremony held on January 16, 2024 in Jalgaon
2024 Bhavanrao Lomte Smruti Rajya Puraskar 2024, Ambejogai at a function held in Ambejogai by Yeshvantrao Chavan Smruti Samiti, Ambejogai on September 21
2025 Janasthan Puraskar by Kusumagraj Pratisthan, Nasik at a function in Nasik on Marh 10, 2025.
2025 Pune Festival Award for the contribution to theatre in September.
2025 The Goa Hindu Association - Dr Subhash Bhede supported Late Shashikant Narvekar award for best play of the year “Thakishi Samvad”.
Natakkar Satish Alekar (Playwright Satish Alekar), a 90-minute film byAtul Pethe about Alekar's life, and work was released in 2008.[18]
Two Plays by Satish Alekar (The Grant Exit - a new translation of Marathi playMahanirvan of 1974 andA Conversion with Dolly - translation of a new Marathi play,Thakishi Samvad of 2023); both translations by Shanta Gokhale, published by Seagull Books, Kolkata (2023)
Alekar belongs to City of Pune. His parents, the late Usha and Vasant Alekar were freedom fighters, both involved in India's 1942 movement.
Alekar married Anita (Abhyankar) in 1976. They have a son, Mikin. Anita died in 2007. He has one younger brother Sudhir and one sister Bharati. Presently he is living in Pune with his son Mikin.
Thackeray, biopic on Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray (2018) as Jayprakash Narayan, dir. Abhijit Panse (released on 23 Jan 2019)
83 (2019), a film on the Indian Cricket Team's win in the 1983 World Cup as Sheshrao Wankhede, dir. Kabir Khan, produced by Vishnuvardhan Induri and Madhu Mantena Varma (released on 24 December 2021, all over)
The Suspect (2022) as Dayanand Bharadvaj, Police Commissioner, dir. Samir Karnik, Maverick Pictures, Mumbai
Acting in Marathi films/web series (character roles)
Katha Don Ganpatravaanchee (1996), dir. Arun Khopkar (role of Judge which was awarded for Best Actor (Comedy), Govt. of Maharashtra)
Kadachit (2007), as a neurosurgeon, dir. Chandrakant Kulkarni
Chintoo (2012), as Colonel Kaka, dir. Shrirang Godbole
Chintoo 2 (Khajinyachi Chittarkatha) (2013), as Colonel Kaka, dir. Shrirang Godbole
Hovoon Jaudyaa- We Are On!(2013), dir. Amol Palekar
Mhais (2013), dir. Shekhar Naik
Aajachaa Diwas Maazaa (2013), dir. Chandrakant Kulkarni
Yeshwantrao Chavan – Katha Eka Vadalachi (2014), dir. Jabbar Patel
Deul Band (2015), dir. Praveen Tarade
Welcome Zindagi (2015), dir. Umesh Ghadge
High Way-Ek Selfie Aar Paar (2015), dir. Umesh Kulkarni
Rajwade and Sons as Rajwade (2015), dir. Sachin Kundalkar
audyana Balasaheb! (2015), dir. Girish Kulkarni (released in October 2016 through Zee Cinema)
Ventilator (2016) as Bhau, dir. Rajesh Mapuskar, produced by Priyanka Chopra, world premiere on 23 Oct 2016 during MAMI Festival in Mumbai (National Awardee film)
Chi. Va. Chi. Sou. Ka (2017) as Bhudargadkar, dir.Paresh Mokashi, produced by Zee Cinema (released on 19 May 2017)
Mala Kahich Problem Naahi as Father (2017) dir. Sameer Vidhwans, produced by Filmy Keeda Entertainment, Mumbai (released on 11 August 2017)
Mee Shivaji Park (2017) as Satish Joshi, dir. Mahesh Waman Manjrekar, produced by Gouri Films, Pune (released on 18 October 2018)
Thackeray (2018), biopic on Balasaheb Thackeray (Hindi/Marathi) as Jayprakash Narayan, Dir Abhijit Panse, produced by Raut'Ters Entertainment (released on 23 Jan 2019)
Bhai: Vyakti ki Valli Part I (2018), biopic (made in two parts) on Pu La Deshpande as Ramakant Deshpande Dir Mahesh Manjrekar, produced by the Great Maratha Entertainment (released on 4 Jan 2019)
Bhai: Vyakti ki Valli Part II (2018), biopic on Pu La Deshpande as Ramakant Deshpande Dir Mahesh Manjrekar, produced by The Great Maratha Entertainment (released on 8 Feb 2019)
Smile Please (2019) as Appa Joshi (father), dir. by Vikrum Phadnis, produced by Nisha Shah and Sanika Gandhi (released on 19 July 2019), streaming on Prime Video
Panchak (2019) as Bal Kaka, dir. Jayant Jathar and Rahul Awate, produced by RnM Films (by Shriram Nene and Madhuri Dixit) (selected in the competition for Marathi feature in 21st Pune International Film Festival (released on 5 January 2024 through PVR)
Pet-Puran (2021) as Lt. Col. Jarasandh Wagh (Ret'd.), web series for Sony Liv, dir. Dyanesh Zoting (Season I, released on SonyLIV - 6 May 2022), season II scheduled for 2023
Ek Don Teen Char - एक दोन तीन चार (2022) as Dr. Vivek Joshi Marathi film by Varun Narvekar, Produced by Jio Studios (released on 19 July 2024)
Kalsutra- कालसूत्र (2022), web series as Shriram Bidari, Kanha Production, dir. by Bhimrao Mude, produced by Manjiri Subodh Bhave for Jio Studio
Cell Phone Company: Idea - Telephone Exchange (2013) for Chrome Pictures, Mumbai
New York Life Insurance (2012)
Online Purchase: SNAPDEAL (2016) for Chrome Pictures, Mumbai
Fiama Di Willis Body Wash (2018) for Apostrophe Films, Mumbai, dir. Kaushik Sarkar
Reunion Episode 3 Language: Marathi (2018), pickle brand presented by Ravetkar Group, Pune Dir Varun Narvekar (short film)
maateech swapna मातीचं स्वप्न (2018), short film in Marathi for Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale (चितळे बंधू), produced by Multimedia Tools, Pune, dir. Varun Narvekar
Reunion for Ravetkar Group (2018): three minute short film made about the awareness for early treatment of brain stroke made by Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune
रुची पालट/Fusion Food/ Chitale Bandhoo (2019): for Chitale Bandhoo, Pune
Cotten King Brand- Just Strech Your Limits (2020), dir. Varun Narvekar
Red Label Tea (2021) ad film for Hindustan Unilever, dir. Gajraj Rao for Code Red Films, Mumbai
Short film "Fala" (फळा - तिमिरातून तेजाकडे 2021), produced by Kc Productions, dir. Mangesh Jagtap
Short film "Ravivar Sakal" - 2024 (रविवार सकाळ) 30 minutes, Aadi Nirrmite, dir. Bansidhar Kinkar, cast - Satish Alekar, Gauri Deshpande and Aroh Velankar
Short film "Dada aani Sakharam" 2024 (दादा आणि सखाराम), dir. Yogesh Deshpande, produced by Roadlife
Chaha, Bakarwadi aani To चहा, बाकरवडी आणि तो (2024), Chitale Bandhu brand film, dir. Varun Narvekar
"Mahanirvan: Sameeksha aani Sansmarne" (a volume of critiques in Marathi on the play, edited by Dr. Rekha Inmadar-Sane published by M/s Rajhans Prakashan, Pune, I Edition Dec 1999, II Edition March 2008,ISBN81-7434-165-X, Pages: 254, Price Rs.250/-)
"Begum Barve Vishayee" (about the play Begum Barve) Edited by Dr. Rekha Inamdar-Sane published in June 2010ISBN978-81-7434-501-1 by M/s Rajhans Prakashan, Pune, Pages 169, Price: Rs. 200/- The book has nine articles analysing the text and the performance written by well-known theatre scholars.
