Ratnakar Matkari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ratnakar Matkari
|
|
|---|---|
In 2004
|
|
| Born | 17 November 1938 |
| Died | 17 May 2020 (aged 81) Mumbai, India
|
| Occupation | Producer, writer, director |
| Years active | 1955–2019 |
Ratnakar Ramkrushna Matkari (born November 17, 1938 – died May 17, 2020) was a famous writer, producer, and director from Maharashtra, India. He wrote in the Marathi language. He was also an artist who taught himself to paint.
Contents
Who Was Ratnakar Matkari?
Early Life and Career
Ratnakar Matkari was born in Mumbai on November 17, 1938. He studied economics at Mumbai University and graduated in 1958. After college, he worked at the Bank of India for 20 years. In 1978, he decided to focus only on his passion. He spent all his time writing, producing, and directing movies and plays. He was married to an artist named Pratibha Matkari.
His Passing
Ratnakar Matkari passed away in Mumbai on May 17, 2020. He had tested positive for COVID-19 a week before.
Matkari's Writing Journey
First Works and Columns
Matkari's first work was a short play called Wedi Manase (meaning "Crazy People"). It was performed on All India Radio in Mumbai in 1955. The next year, his play Pahuni (meaning "The Guest") was also performed. In the 1970s, he wrote columns for newspapers and magazines. For four years, he wrote a column called Soneri Savalya (meaning "Golden Shadows").
What Did He Write?
Ratnakar Matkari wrote many different kinds of stories and plays. He created 98 works in total. These include 33 full-length plays and 8 collections of one-act plays. He also wrote 18 books of short stories and 3 novels. For younger readers, he wrote a book of poems and 14 plays. He also made three collections of plays just for children.
Mystery Stories for Adults
Matkari wrote mystery stories for adults called Gudha Katha (meaning "Mystery Stories"). These stories were very realistic. He also wrote a few plays in other Indian languages, not just Marathi. One of his books, "Darkness," was even translated from Marathi into English. Many of his novels were later turned into plays for the stage.
Popular Plays by Matkari
Here are some of his well-known plays:
- Dubhang
- Aranyak
- Sate Lote
- Ashwamedh
- Brahmahatya
- Prema Kahani
- Lokakatha 78
- Khol Khol Pani
- Jawai Majha Bhala
- Ghar Tighanche Hawe
- Char Diwas Premache
- Vinashakadun Vinashakade
Plays for Young Audiences
Matkari also wrote special plays for children. Some of these include:
- Albatya Galbatya
- Nimma Shimma Rakshas
- Achat Gawachi Aphat Mavashi
One of his musical plays, Char Diwas Premache (meaning "Four Days of Love"), was performed over 850 times. It was so popular that it was translated into Hindi and Gujarati and performed in those languages too. His play "Lokakatha 78" was also performed in both Marathi and Hindi.
Matkari's Work in Theatre
Acting and One-Man Shows
Ratnakar Matkari was not just a writer and director; he was also an actor! He acted in his own plays, such as Prem Kahani, Vinashakadun Vinashakade, "Lokakatha 78", and Sate Lote. He also performed popular one-man shows. One of these was called Adbhutachya Rajyat (meaning "In the Land of Wonders").
Promoting Art House Theatre
Matkari was a big supporter of art house theatre. This type of theatre focuses on artistic quality rather than just entertainment. In 1972, he started an organization called Sootradhar. This group has produced 12 art house plays.
Creating Children's Theatre
Matkari also cared a lot about theatre for kids. In 1962, he founded Bal Natya Sanstha (meaning "Children's Theatre Organization"). This group has produced 22 plays for children, many of them being one-act plays. He even acted in many of these children's plays himself. Some of these plays include Sangati, "Sharvari", "Chitratale Ghar", and "Tumachi Goshta".
Film and TV Work
Directing Films
Ratnakar Matkari directed a film called Investment in 2013.
Television Shows
Matkari also directed some TV serials. He hosted 13 episodes of a show called Sharadache Chandane (meaning "Autumn Moonlight") on the Mumbai Doordarshan TV channel. This show featured interviews with famous Marathi writers. From 1976 to 1978, he also presented 25 monthly shows called Gajara on the same channel.
Other Contributions
Public Speaking and Art
Matkari gave many stage shows where he presented stories to Marathi audiences. He performed in India, Muscat, and even the US in 1986. In 1999, he gave 51 readings of an essay called Tumhi Tithe Asayala Have (meaning "You Should Be There"). This was a Marathi translation of an English essay by Arundhati Roy.
Matkari also used his artistic talents. He created drawings for stage sets and oil paintings for the Narmada Andolan (a social movement). He also designed the covers for several books.
Awards and Recognition
Ratnakar Matkari received many awards for his amazing work. From 1983 to 1984, he received a special scholarship from the Government of India. This was for being an artist who cared about social issues.
He received 21 awards from different organizations, including:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1986) – for the script of his film Majhe Ghar, Majha Sansar
- Jyotsna Bhole Award (1978) – for his work in children's theatre
- Natya Darpan Nana Oak Award – for being a talented artist in many areas
- Deval Award (1985)
- The Best Playwright Award from Atre Foundation (1985)
- Maharashtra State Government's Gadkari Award (1995) – for being the best playwright
- Gangadhar Gadgil Award (1997)
- S. L. Gadre Matoshri Award (1998)
- Natyavrati Award (1999)
- V. V. Shirwadkar Award for writing plays (2002)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003–04)
