The audience is kept wondering about this character. The inner demon however keeps coming out at the slightest instigation.
In her own simple ways she seems to bring about some changes in Sakharam, peeling the outermost layer at most. Laxmi seems to settle in with this way of life, working hard and making amends with her loneliness by talking to insects and birds. Is this irony just his selfish assumption of what a marriage should be or a mockery of that institution? There are subtle hints about his background, his childhood which make one wonder whether he too is just a victim of his past. The women are each free to leave him whenever they desire, yet as long as they live in the house they are not even supposed to talk or keep contact with anyone else. The same person, who seems to hate marriage, tells each woman that he expects them to stay with him as if she is his married wife. Therein lays the complexity of the character. Also what comes across is his hatred of the institution of marriage, husbands in particular. And while talking about her we come across a side of Sakharam which seems almost human. We don’t know what happened with most of them, except that the previous one died of TB. Of course Sakharam is exceptionally clear in telling her of what's involved, in an almost well practiced speech (apparently this is his seventh woman). The play starts with Sakharam bringing home Laxmi, a timid soul, abandoned by her husband for not having kids. An almost slave like existence under a tyrant master, who demands satisfaction of his hunger and other bodily needs and liberally uses his mouth for slander and hands for beating. Dishonored from society and unable to provide for themselves, Sakharam with his offer of a house to stay, two square meals, two set of clothes might at first seem like a savior.
Like a predator preying on the weakest among the herd, he finds women abandoned by their husbands. An opportunistic male, a self proclaimed womanizer who loves to drink and doesn’t give a damn about social values. Sakharam, the play's namesake, is the pivotal character. The play has three central characters, Sakharam Binder, Laxmi and Champa. I got to watch a recent production of the play in video version and thought of jotting down my thoughts on the play.
It was first brought on stage in 1972 by Kamlakar Sarang, amidst much controversy. Recently I got to watch 'Sakharam Binder', a controversial Marathi play by Vijay Tendulkar.
0 kommentar(er)
