Lekure Udanda Jahali (Marathi: लेकुरे उदंड जाहली), (English: Bumper Crop of Kids), is a 1966 Marathi play by

Vasant Shankar Kanetkar Vasant Shankar Kanetkar (20 March 1922 – 31 January 2000) was an Indian Marathi-language playwright and novelist from Maharashtra. He was born in the town of Rahimatpur in Satara District, Maharashtra. His father, Shankar Keshav Kanetkar, was ...

. The name refers to a stanza from

Dasbodh ''Dāsbodh'', loosely meaning "advice to the disciple" in Marathi, is a 17th-century bhakti (devotion) and jnana (insight) spiritual text. It was orally narrated by the saint Samarth Ramdas to his disciple, Kalyan Swami. The ''Dāsbodh'' prov ...

Samarth Ramdas Samarth Ramdas (c. 1608 - c. 1681), also known as Sant Ramdas or Ramdas Swami, was an Indian Hindu saint, philosopher, poet, writer and spiritual master. He was a devotee of the Hindu deities Rama and Hanuman. Early life Ramdas or previously N ...

Versions

Lekure Udand Jhaali is a Vasant Kanetkar play which has been revived twice. The first revival was in the 70's by

The Goa Hindu Association ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

. The first show of the revived version was conducted on 25 May 1973 at Sahitya Sangh Mandir at

Girgaon Girgaon, or Girgaum, is an area in southern Mumbai in Maharashtra, India. It is near the coast. A section of Marine Drive is located here. See also *Girgaum Chowpatti *Tanks of Bombay Although the tanks have long vanished, the city of Bom ...

. It completed over 1000 shows. The play was redesigned by Premanand Polle for Kala Academy - Goa's Repertory company (Rang Mell) in 2004. Dr. Saish Deshpande composed all the songs in modern fusion genre and were performed live on recorded tracks.

Cast

The first version of the play had

Shrikant Moghe Shrikant Moghe (6 November 1929 - 6 March 2021) was an Indian film and theatre actor who has worked in several Hindi and Marathi films. He is better known as ''Bhaurao Deshmukh'' in '' Navri Mile Navryala (1984)'' and ''Dadasaheb Korde'' in ''Ga ...

playing 'Rajaram' while Kalpana Mujumdar (born Kalpana Deshpande) playing the role of 'Madhurani'. The miscellaneous cast of the play was Bholaram Athavale (Dhatingan Guruji), Baba Mahadik (Doctor Astaputre), Prakash Inamdar (Gora), Pravin Patil (Marutrao), Vitthal Pandurkar / Mohandas Sukhtankar (Dasopant), Mandakini Bhadbhade / Kumud Damle (Sonutai), Shripad Joshi (Vyankatrao) The second version or first revival had the lead roles played by Shrikant Moghe & Daya Dongre. Another version or revival was undertaken in the 1990s by

Prashant Damle Prashant Damle (born 5 April 1961) is a Marathi actor, comedian who has acted in numerous Marathi drama, movie and Soap opera over 35 years. He has been associated with Marathi theatre since 1983 and till date has performed in 27 different play ...

. The third version or second revival of the play in 2014 is produced by Bhagyashree Desai and directed by Vijay Kenkre. It has unusual music with Western tunes by the late Jitendra Abhisheki and

Ashok Patki Ashok Patki (born 25 August 1941) is an Indian music director and composer; working predominantly in Marathi cinema, theatre and television. He is best known for his very popular compositions like "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara", "Purab Se Surya Uga". P ...

Sumeet Raghavan Sumeet Raghavan is an Indian film, television, and theatre actor known for his roles in '' Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedi Naye Kissey,'' Hudd Kar Di'', '' Sarabhai vs Sarabhai'', ''Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo'', ''Badi Door Se Aaye Hai'', and Sa ...

returning to the theatre after a gap of 15 years plays Rajaram while his real life wife

Chinmayee Raghavan Chinmayi Sripaada is an Indian playback singer, working mainly for the South Indian film industry. She is also a voice actor, television presenter, radio jockey, and an entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of a translation services compa ...

portrays Madhurani. Uday Sabnis and Ajit Kelkar play supporting roles. The other members of the cast are Mrunal Chemburkar, Sunil Godbole, Shivani Karhadkar, Sudesh Mhashilkar.

Plot

The story revolves around a rich, childless couple, Raja and Rani Tambe. The couples greedy relatives presume that as the Tambes do not have any children, their kids will inherit all their property. Slowly and steadily the relatives create situations to suit their purposes and manipulates Rani's intense desire to have kids so that she ends up agreeing to adopt one of her sisters many kids. On the other hand, Raja's brother is playing a similar trick on him. This leads to a fight between the couple on whose kid should they adopt? His brothers or her sisters? However, when Raja loses his wealth in some bad investments the sweet relatives are quick to show their true colors. With poverty the Tambes are rid of their false relations. However even in these adverse times the servant in their house refuses to leave them for he considers himself a part of the family. The play ends on a happy note when Rani discovers that she is pregnant. They are poor & lonely now; but this one joy infuses hope & enthusiasm in their lives. Raja resolves to start his life afresh so that he can give his baby the best things money can buy.

Rewards

The noted thespian

has received the following awards for his version of the play. * Best Singer/Actor - 1995 - Kalnirnay, Lekure Udand Jhali * Best Singer/Actor - 1995 - Akhil Bhartiya Natya Parishad, Lekure Udand Jhali * Best Actor, Maharashtra State Award, Lekure Udand Jhali * Best Actor, Critics Award, Lekure Udand Jhali

References

{{Reflist 1966 plays Marathi-language plays