Mahanirvan (महानिर्वाण) by Satish Alekar

"Mahanirvan (महानिर्वाण)", a Marathi play, by Satish Alekar - Complex!

This play came in 1974. It has been made into several languages and is in the curriculum of a number of universities. I read this book on my father's recommendation. 

Bhau, passes away, leaving behind a beautiful middle aged wife and young son. Although he dies, his soul remains. The play unfolds in the 13 days from Bhau's death. 

What does his soul want? What will his family do? What would be the reaction of neighbours? Will he pass on?

This play addresses a number of questions. The man is dead, but is he released? Does he leave everything behind? Now that he is dead, he can speak out thoughts that he had buried deep into his mind. Although he is dead has the hold of customs, and what he has learnt during his upbringing, remain? Can he become stoic about his past life?

This is a black comedy (कृष्णसुखात्मिका). The situation is of death but the neighbours can't control their natural tendencies of making fun, provoking and giving practical but uncalled for advise that does not fit the situation. 

Soul of the dead man suffers what the body suffers and he is also hurt by the indifference of neighbours, fascination of his wife, where he is to be cremated etc. How'Re play shows how others turn Bhaurao's Death (मृत्यू) into The dread departure (महानिर्वाण). 

The play is largely symbolic and written for experimental theatre. Some of the references have now become out of date and one can miss them if you are not old enough. I missed a couple of them, until my father enlightened me. 

There is little to no stage property required for this play. The symbolism also requires good acting and excellent direction. I have not watched this play, but understand that it is revived in 2018, more than 40 years after is was first unveiled. 

I think Bhau is the symbol of unfulfilled wishes and dormant wishes. His wife is a symbol of dependence who isn't another person to depend to move on. His son is a symbol of young generation, materialistic but not thoroughly so. Neighbours represent the society. 

Author has a very unique style of narration. He uses poems and music, he uses black comedy, his characters deliver dialogues that tell audience that the characters know they are in a play, he lashes on the hypocrisy of traditions and while doing all of this he also makes a statement in a very abstract manner. 

Satish Alekar is a Marathi playwright, actor, and theatre director and founder member of the Theatre Academy of Pune. He is one of the most influential and progressive playwrights,  not just in modern Marathi theatre, but also larger modern Indian theatre. He has been awarded Sangeet Natak Akadami award and Padmashree.

Why did I read this book? It's a famous play.

What I didn't like? Abstractness, but that's the style. 

What did I like? Unique narrative. 

Don't read it, watch it.