Characters of Ghashiram Kotwal and The Nameshake

Characters of the play Ghashiram Kotwal

1 Sutradhar

As we have already told you in the first Unit of this Block, the Sutradhar is an essential part of Sanskrit drama and can be found in many folk plays such as Tamasha. The traditional role of the Sutradhar is to introduce the characters and initiate the events as well as comment on the action, wherever necessary. Let us now discuss the role of the Sutradhar in Ghushiram Kotwal. As in traditional theatre, the Sutradhar introduces the characters and sets the context for the action. He remains on stage continuously, becoming a different person at different times. In the beginning, he plays the role of interlocutor who shops and questions the Brahmans as they sneak about slyly trying to get to Bhavankhani. As the Brahmans crowd round Bhvanakhani, a lonely Brahman woman is shown embracing her lover and the Sutradhar comments ironically on the scene:

'Here a Brahmin  woman in solitary confinement; there the crowds waiting for a glimpse of Gulabi .....'

This role of Sutradhar as commentator continues throughout the play. When Ghashiram is thrown in jail, the Sutradhar masquerades as a 'fellow prisoner' and  observes wisely:

'This thief is a simple thief. The police are official thieves'.

 a wisdom that will strike a sympathetic chord in Irony in the audience .At other times he leads the chorus.

“Sutradhar: Nine court Nana only thought of Gauri.

All: Thought of nothing else; etc. “

Then again the Sutradhar becomes a passing Brahman who is caught roaming the roads at night by Ghashiram. When the Kotwal apprehends him he explains 'Sir, I was going to fetch the midwife'. It is through the Sutradhar's persistent probing that Nana's wedding plans are revealed dramatically. An account of Ghashiram's final humiliation and punishment is provided by the Sutradhar's running commentary. And his final comment is loaded with meaning:

'And in the end came the End' The Sutradhar thus has a variety of roles. In addition to all these his function is to act as a cohesive device between the different scenes and the different modes such

as song, dance and music which contribute to the total effect of the play.

Nana Phadnavis

This character of Nana is based on that of the historical character Balaji Janardhan Blianu (12 Feb. 1742 - 13 March 1800) who inherited the post of Phadnavis or administrator at the age of fourteen when his father died. Nana was the Peshwa's chief minister until his death on July 11, 1778. How does Tendulkar distance his  Nana from the Nana of history? By Making him dance on stage and behave in a ludicrous manner. The Sutradhar introduces Nana's arrival by focusing on his status and wealth -

'Nana of the nine courts, Nana of the wealth and power.. . . . . . to Gulabi's place proceeds' We are given no physical description or Nana's Personality except that he has a 'silver handled walking stick'  and a 'garland of flowers on his wrist'. We can conclude that he is quite a dandy and when he hurts his foot while dancing and makes a fuss, we also know that he is an effeminate character who can also be generous as lie is to Ghashiram who offers his back for him to rest his foot on -the

reward being his own necklace. That Nana is old is nowhere stated but is implied through subtle hints. The walking stick, for instance. At the time of'his wedding to a 'slender willowy bride. A shy fair lily-white bride' . We are told that he is still young enough to marry! His moustache's turned gray. But not all his teeth are gone' . We can see Nana as a lustful and lecherous old man from his presence at Gulabi's dance in Bhavanakhani. He then tries to seduce the young and beautiful daughter of Ghashiram.  For him the girl is not an individual but merely a 'prey'. And if lie is able to snare it, his self- image as a macho man, a 'Nine Court Nana' will be enhanced. If for some reason, he cannot get her, this Bhavannakhani. The power that he boasts of is not located ill his character but in the people around him by belittling whom he can define himself in positive terms. And when the girl is finally delivered to him, Ghashiram cries out 'Look! I've given my beloved daughter into the jaws of that wolf?..... That old overripe bastard! Look at him, eating her like a peach ... .

The Nana in the play dances and sings. While this is in keeping with the rest of the characters in this play it also distances the Nana from the imposing historical character on whom he is based. Thus he is not simply an individual but also a type - a type of the corrupt Brahman community as well as a symbol of those in position of power. It is this power which makes him immune to the laws and requirements of justice. The Nana has all the cunning of his tribe. Even when he capitulates to the demands of Ghashiram by making him Kotwal, he still has the upper hand: 'What'll happen is that our misdeeds will be credited to your account. We do, our Kotwal pays'. By giving Ghashiram the false illusion of being powerful the Nana continues to use him and discards him when he feels, 'there was no use for him anymore'.  When Ghashiram face with his daughter's disappearance, he very piously states: 'Thou shall not grieve over what is gone. The Vedas have said that .....' .The juxtaposition of what is being said with what has already been done, is an effective device in un-masking Nana further.

Characters of “The Nameshake”

1. Ashoke

Ashoke Ganguli as a young man,Ashoke nearly dies in a train crash In India.He survive

Because he was reading a short  story by Nikolai Gogol when the crash occurred, and rescuers

 Saw him move the book in the wreckage .Because the last piece of advice he received before

The crash was to go and see the world, Ashoke moves to America to study fiber optics. After an

 Arranged marriage, his wife, Ashima, joins him, and they have two children, Gogol and Sonia,

Naming the first in honor of Ashoke’s past.Meanwhile, Ashoke finishes his Ph.D. and becomes

A professor at a university in the suburbs of Boston .Although Ashoke wants his son to

 Appreciate the heritage of the name “Gogol,” Gogol hates the name and shows no interest in

 Learning more about why it was given to him. It isn’t until Gogol is in college , after he has legally changed his name to “Nikhil, ”that Ashoke finally tells Gogol about the train accident .Despite Gogol’s rejection of his name , Ashoke continues hoping that Gogol will come to appreciate his family heritage (a wish that ultimately comes true as a result of Ashoke’s death).Ashoke

Accepts a nine-month research appointment in Ohio, and while he is there, he dies suddenly of a Heart attack..

2. Maxine

Maxine Ratliff: Maxine is Gogol’s serious love interest during the months before his father’s

 death. An art historian by education, Maxine works as an assistant editor for an art book

 publisher and lives with her wealthy parents in a five-storyhouse. Maxine pursues Gogol and the

two begin dating. Soon Gogol is living with the Ratliffs in their mansion. Although Maxine is

quick to welcome Gogol in to her life, Gogol is reluctant to tell her about his Bengali heritage or

 introduce her to his parents; she knows Gogol only as “Nikhil.” Maxine meets Ashoke  and

 Ashima only once before Ashoke dies. Gogol excludes Maxine from his mourning process

 Because he recognizes that’s he knows nothinga bout his Bengali life ;after all, he has

 Intentionally kept her from it. They break up, and within a year Maxine is engaged to someone

Else .

ONE WORD ANSWERS

A)      Vijay Tendulakar

1.  When Vijay Tendulkar born?

Ans- 6^th January 1928.

2. To which age Vijay tendulakar belongs?

Ans- Post-Independence Indian Playwright.

3. What is the main theme of most of the Vijay tendulakr’s plays?

Ans- different aspects of human character and human relationship.

4. What is the full name of Vijay?

Ans- Vijay Dhondo Tendulakar.

5. Where did he born?

Ans- In a Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmin family in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

6. When did he wrote his first story?

Ans- At the age of 6

7. When did he directed and acted in his first play?

Ans- At the age of 11.

8. When did he participated in Indian freedom movement?

Ans- 1942

9. How many works he has written?

Ans- 30 full length plays, 23 one act plays, 11 children’s drama, 4 collection of short stories.

10. Which awards he has received?

Ans- Sangeet natak Academy Award, Padma Bhushan Award, Maharashtra state government Award, Kamladevi Chattopadhyay Award.

11. When did he dies?

Ans- 19^th May 2008.

12. Who are the foreingn  influencer of Vijay Tendulakr for writing?

Ans-  Henry Ibsen, Strindberg, brecht

13. Which are the best plays of him?

Ans- Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe”, Ghasiram Kotwal, Sakharam Binder.

14. Which are his other plays?

Ans- Manus navache bet  1955, (An island called man)

         Madhya Bhinti 1958, (the walls between)

         Chimanicha ghar hota menacha 1958, (Nest of wax)

         Mee jinklo Mee harlo 1963 (I won I lost)

       Kavlanchi Shala 1963, (school for crows)

15. Which play brote him national recognition?

Ans- shantata! Court chalu ahe

16. Which are the one act plays written by him?

Ans- Ratra (1957)

    Ajagar Ani Gandharva (1966)

     Bhekad (1969)

17. The rise of Shivsena was reflected in which play ?

Ans- Ghashiram Kotwal

18. What is there in the play “Kamala”

Ans- A true story of journalist who purchased a woman rural sex industry.

19. The play kanyadan is about?

Ans- Cultural and emotional upheavals of a family

20. To which journal Tendulakar was an assistant editor?

Ans- Loksatta, wrote daily column for Maharashtra times.

21. Which plays are being translated by him?

Ans-Mohan Rakesh’s  “Adhe Adure”, Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq and some of the plays by Tennesse Williams.

22. What is has published as a photographer?

Ans- a collection of photographs called “Chehare”

23. Which are the forms of Marathi theatre?

Ans- Sangeet natak, Tamasha, folk form: dasavatar.

24. Which are the other Marathi playwright?

Ans- Mahesh elkunchvar, satish Alekar, P.L Deshpande.

25. Which forms are known as seasonal entertainment?

Ans- dasavatar and tamasha

26. In which season dasavatr is performed?

Ans- In post harvest season in konkan region

27. What it is about?

Ans- ten avatar of Vishnu

28. Whai is Tamasha?

Ans- It is an entertainment of song, dance and satire. For the entertainmemt of Peshwa army in 18^th century.

29. Which form Tendulakar has used in Ghashiram Kotwal?

Ans- Tamasha

B)      Ghashiram Kotwal

1. What we will see about the Poona Brajmins in the play?

Ans – Religious and moral decadence, political corruption.

2. How many significant episodes are there in the play?

Ans- 6

3. From where the episodes began?

Ans- Introduction of Poona Brahmins.

4. What is Bhavankhani?

Ans- A temple for prostitutes and a house of Gulabi.

5. Brahmins are praying to which gods in the beginning?

Ans- ganesh, lakshmi, Saraswati.

6. Why these Gods are invoked?

Ans- for the success of an important undertaking.

7. This invocation is in contrast with?

Ans- with what actually follows in the play.

8. What is the important theme of the play?

Ans- de-idealization and break up of established institutions.

9. What is hidden in this play that the playwright wants to reveal?

Ans- social and moral decadence.

10. Brahmins are learned in which disciplines?>

Ans- Vedanta, medicine, logic, astrology and languages.

11. Who is Sutradhar?

Ans- the commentator of the play, who comments on various characters.

12. What is the technique used by dramatist?

Ans- Gradual unfolding of reality hidden behind the scene.

13. Who is the first bramin introduce in this play?

Ans- Bhatji Bhuva, a priest who conducts marriage ceremony.

14. Who equates Bhavankhani with a temple

Ans- the second Brahmin Peyotl Brakman.

15. What does kirtan refers here?

Ans- Kirtan refers to the singing and dancing at Gulabi’s house.

16. What is the idea of darshan refers to?

Ans- It refers to waiting for a glimpse of Gulabi.

17. What is equated with Mathura?

Ans- Bhavankhani, “The red light district” is equated with Mathura and the house of Gulabi is seen as a “garden of Krishna”.

18. Why religiuon is used by Brahmins?

Ans- for the justification of their immoral acts.

19. What is the condition of Brahmins wives.

Ans- They remain alone in their home,  when their husbands are enjoying at Bhavankhani.

20. How women are treated in this play?

Ans- as a suppressed section of society/.

21. Who  is the servant of Gulabi?

Ans- Ghashiram.

22. What Sutradhar calls nana as?

Ans- Nana of “wealth and power”

23. Who is Nana?

Ans- Chief of peshwas

24. What nana symbolize?

Ans- corruption and evil doings of the politician?

25. What is the symbol of nana’s political power?

Ans- the silver handled walking stick

26. What the the salient theme of the play?

Ans- The interdependence of Nana and Ghashiram in the political power game.

27. What nana has rewarded to Ghashiram in his first meeting?

Ans- A necklace.

28. Who are white sahibs?

Ans- The britishers

29. Which festival shows the religious corruption?

Ans- the festival of dakshina.

30. Who is kannauj Bharmin?

Ans- Ghashiram

31. Who is accused of stealing money?

Ans- Ghashiram

32. Ghashiram is humiliated by whom?

Ans- Poona Brahmin, Gulabi, Police

33. Why Ghashiram trades his daughter to Nana?

Ans- to take revenge, to gain power.

34. Who is lustful politician?

Ans- Nana

35. What is used to hide sexual motivations?

Ans- religious terminology.

36. Who chooses a young girl lalita Gauri for his sexual pleasure?

Ans- Nana

37. Nana justify his act through which God?

Ans- Ganesh because he is having two wives.

38.  how many wives did Nana have?

Ans- 9

39. What is the condition of ghashiram for bargaining his daughter to nana?

Ans- Kotwali of poona

40. Why Ghashiram tells the audience to spit at him and stone him?

Ans- because he is in guilt for selling his daughter.

C)      Jhumpa Lahiri

1. .who is the most eminent Indo- American writer?

Ans- Jhumpa Lahiri

2. She is famous for which type of writings?

Ans- Diasporic writing.

3. she belongs to which family?

Ans- Immigrant family.

4. What does it mean by Alien culture

Ans- foreign culture

5. She is representative figure for whom?

Ans- for female predicament in diaspora.

6. When did she born?

Ans- 11^th July 1967 to a Bengali immigrant family in London.

7. How did she learn her Bengali heritage?

Ans- By regularly travelling to Kolkata. Spending time with her extended family.

8. What is her original name?

Ans- Nilanjana Sudeshna Lahiri

9. Who has decided to call her by her pet name?

Ans- Her teacher calls her as  Jhumpa.

10. From where did she graduated?

Ans- from Barnard College in 1989.

11. From where did she received two year felloshp?

Ans- at Princeton’s fine arts work centre.

12. With whom she got  married?

Ans- Alberto Vourvoulias- Bush, a journalisr

13.what is the name of her two children

Ans- Octavio and Noor

13. What she taught at Boston?

Ans- Creative wrting.

14. Where her short stories began to appear?

Ans- In the New Yorker, The Harvard review, The Louisville review, AGNI, Salamander, Story Quaterly.

15. Which is her first book? And which famous awards it received?

Ans- the Interpreter of maladies. 1999 which received The PEN hemingway award, the translantic review award, the American academy of arts and letters award, The O’Henry Award, Pulitzer prize

16. Interpreter of Maladies was translated into how many languages?

Ans- 29 , including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Italian, Dutch and Japanese.

17. Which one Lahiri’s first anticipated novel?

Ans- Nameshake ,2003, it wa sselectewd as best book of the year by USA.

18. Who has adopted Nameshake into film by same name?

Ans- Mira Nair

19. What is the main theme of the novel Nameshake?

Ans- Cultural dilemmas, and displacement of Indian people.

20. Which work by Lahiri received Frank O’ Corner short story award?

Ans- Unaccustomed earth, 2008

21. Which one is the shortlished novel for the main booker prize?

Ans- The Lowland, 2013. It talks much about immigrant issues

22. Which honor was given to Lahiri by Obama?

Ans- she was appointed by u.S president Barack obama, a s ma member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and umanities.

23. As a diasporic writer lahiri deals with?

Ans- multicultural society both from ‘inside’ and ‘outside’, seeking to find her native identity.

24. Which approach by Jhumpa lahiri is different from other diasporic writes?

Ans – Feminist approach because she represents different image of Indian woman and her marginalization

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