Memories of PL Deshpande’s revived at ‘Smrutigandh’

Purshotam Laxman Deshpande also known by his initials as P.L. Deshpande, one of the brightest stars of Marathi film, theatre and literature, an event named ‘Pulakit’ was held on the occasion of his birth centenary at Suresh Bhat Sabhagruh on Monday evening.

The four-day ‘Smrutigandh’ event organized by SCZCC in concert with Saptak to mark the birth anniversary of singer Sudhir Phadke, poet GD Madgulkar, table maestro Ustad Allahrakha Khan and P.L. Deshpande.

Mumbai-based organization ‘Our Cultural Event’, organized ‘Pulakit’ and attempted to restore the variety and versatility of Deshpande’s persona. Marathi stage and television actors Atul Pachure, Vighnesh Joshi and Arun Nalwade helped the sparse audience to relive the memories of “Pu La”.

Deepali Kelkar said, “Visiting the works of PL Deshpande is like performing a cultural pilgrimage,” who hosted the event. She further added by describing Deshpande as an amalgamation of Charlie Chaplin, Rabindranath Tagore and Vasantrao Deshpande, “He was like a flower whose each petal had a different shape, colour and fragrance”.

Pachure brought alive the genius of P.L., the actor who had the distinction of playing the character of ‘Pu La’ in his presence. “I heard that I had been shortlisted for a role in the play but which one I didn’t know and was fortunate to get to play the man himself,” said the actor who has worked in Deshpande’s immortal classics like Varya Varchi Varat and Vyakti ani Valli. Pachure described his writing as evergreen which still retain their freshness. He said, “The manner in which he spoke and the way he expressed his thoughts was extremely witty.”

Vighnesh referred to Deshpande’s amazing sense of humour as, he narrated a conversation between Deshpande and Madgulkar. “Once Madgulkar, who was visiting Deshpande, picked up a letter from outside his house which was marked P.L.Deshpande, Pune. To this, Deshpande remarked, this address brings letters, the complete one brings in guest.”

Few of the songs composed by Deshpande like ‘Kausalyecha Ram’ and ‘He koni cheile taar’ were also presented by Ninad Ajgaonkar, Ketaki Bhave Joshi and Gauri Damle, as they emphasized the talent of Deshpande as a music director.

While reading out a letter Deshpande had written to his friend’s newly-wed son Ashok Adarkar , Actor Arun Nalawade said,  “He used simple words, his thoughts were straight but the manner in which he put them together always had a powerful impact on the reader or listener,”. Nalawade, had a close association with Deshpande, described his writings and compositions as exceptionally creative.