Satish Vasant Alekar, popularly known as Satish Alekar, is an Indian actor, theater director and playwright who works mostly in the Marathi film and theater industry. He is known for his Marathi roles in Mahanirvan (1974), Mahapoor (1975), Atirekee (1990), Pidhijat (2003), Micky ani Memsahib (1973), and Begum Barve (1979).
Wiki/Biography
Satish Alekar was born on Sunday, 30 January 1949 (age 72 years; in 2021) in Delhi. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. When he was a few months old, his family moved to Pune (where he grew up), the center of Marathi culture in Maharashtra. He attended the Deccan Education Society (DES) New English School, Ramanbaug, Pune, and went to Fergusson College, Pune, to pursue his B.Sc. After completing his studies, Satish enrolled himself in the University of Pune to pursue a master’s degree in biochemistry. Alekar experienced the stage for the first time when he was in college. Later, he joined a theater group and actively participated in theater plays. Director Bhalba Kelkar saw him in one of his plays and was impressed by his performance, offering him to join the Progressive Dramatic Society (Kelkar).
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Half Bald (Salt & Pepper)
Eye Color: Aqua
Family
Parents & Siblings
Not much is known about his parents.
Wife & Children
Satish married Anita Alekar on 22 February 1976. His wife died on 13 March 2007. The couple had a son named Mikin.
Career
Teach
Satish Alekar worked as a professor of Biochemistry at BJ Medical College, Pune, from 1972 to 1996. In 1996, he joined Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune, as professor and Head of the Center for Performing Arts. He worked there for about 13 years and resigned in 2009. He was later appointed Honorary Director at the University of Pune for a program supported by the Ratan Tata Trust from 2009 to 2011. The University honored him by nominating him as an ‘Outstanding Professor ( Performing Arts)’ on campus in September 2013. Many of its students work in the film and television industry in Mumbai (until 2021).
Playwriting
In 1973, Satish wrote the play ‘Micki Aani Memsaheb’ which was well received by the audience. Alekar later wrote and directed ‘Mahanirvan.’ Set in 1974, Mahanirvan is a black comedy that revolves around the story of a dead man and how his family goes through his last rites. The play was an instant hit.
Acting Satish Alekar Mahanirvan
In 1975, he wrote the play ‘Mahapoor.’ After that, he scripted the dramas ‘Begum Barve’ (1979), ‘Shanwar Raviwar’ (1982), ‘Dusra Samana’ (1987), ‘Atireki’ (1990), ‘Ek Divas Mathakade’ (2012), and ‘Thakishi Sanvad’ (2020).
Begum Barve
Some of his Marathi one-act plays include ‘Memory’ (1969), ‘Bhajan’ (1969), ‘Ek Zulta Pool’ (1971), ‘Dar Koni Ughadat Naahi’ (1979), and ‘Bus Stop’ (1980). He has also adapted various one-act plays including ‘Judge’ (1968), ‘Valan’ (1980), ‘Alshi Uttarvalyachi Gosht’ (1999), ‘Nashibvan Baiche Don’ (1999), ‘Supari’ (2002), and ‘ Karmaachari’ (2009).
acting
Played
Satish started his career as a theater artist in 1971 with the Marathi play ‘Ek Zulta Pool.’ He plays the role of a young man in the drama. Next, he acted in Marathi dramas ‘Mahanirvan’ (1974), ‘Begum Barve’ (1979), ‘Shanwar Raviwar’ (1980), and ‘Boat Futli’ (1982).
Picture from Satish Alekar’s drama Mahanirvan
Hindi movies
Satish made his Hindi film debut in 1984 with the film “Ye Kahani Nahi” in which he played a supporting role. After that, she appeared in Hindi films such as Dumkata (2007), Aiyaa (2012), Dekh Tamasha Desk (2014), and Thackeray (2019).
Satish Alekar in Aiyaa
In 2021, he was cast in the Hindi-language sports film “83.” He played the role of BR. Sheshrao Wankhede in the film.
Marathi Movies & Web Series
He made his Marathi film debut in 1981 with the film ‘Aakrit.’ He later went on to star in many Marathi films such as ‘Umbartha’ (1982), ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’ (1991), ‘Ek Hota Vidushak’ (1992), ‘Dhyas Parva’ (2001), ‘Kadachit’ (2007), ‘Chintoo’ (2012), ‘Aajachaa Diwas Maazaa’ (2013), and ‘Selamat Come Zindagi’ (2015).
In 2019, he featured in the web series ‘Smile Please’ as Appa Joshi. After that, she appeared in the Marathi web series ‘Panchak’ (2019) and ‘Pet-Puran’ (2021).
Satish Alekar in Smile Please
TV ads
Satish Alekar has featured in TV commercials of many popular brands such as Tata Sky, Honda Amaze, New York Life Insurance, Red Label Tea, Snapdeal and Fiama Di Willis Body Wash.
Other Work
In 1977, Alekar wrote the script for the Marathi film “Jait Re Jait.” The film was directed by Jabbar Patel and won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. Satish also wrote the dialogue script for the Marathi feature film “Katha Don Ganpatravanchi” (1996). Alekar also directed Hindi TV serial “Dekho Magar Pyar Se” in 1985 for Doordarshan. In 1989, Alekar launched the book ‘The Dread Departure,’ which is an English translation of his Marathi play ‘Mahanirvan.’ The translation was done by Gauri Deshpande.
After that, he launched a book titled ‘Begum Barve’ (2003). The book is an English translation of his Marathi play ‘Begum Barve’ and has been translated by Shanta Gokhale.
In 2009, an English translation of his plays was published as Collected Plays of Satish Alekar by Oxford University Press, Delhi.
In 2015, Alekar wrote a fortnightly column named ‘Gagnika’ in Marathi for the Sunday edition of Loksatta. The column was based on Satish’s journey as a Performing Artist since 1965. The column became very popular among the readers. Seeing the popularity of the column, on April 30, 2017, Alekar launched a book titled ‘Gagnika.’ In 2018, he was a part of ‘Aparichit Pu La,’ a 90-minute act reading program on the lesser-known writings of popular Indian writer PL Deshpande.
Awards, Honors & Achievements
- His short drama collection “Zulta Pool” received the best short drama collection award from the Ministry of Culture, Govt. from Maharashtra, in 1974.
- His play ‘Mahanirvan’ was awarded the Late Ram Ganesh Gadkari award by the State of Maharashtra in 1975.
- Alekar received a fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council, New York, to study theater in the US in 1983.
- He received a scholarship from the Ford Foundation to study South Asian Theater in 1988.
- Satish received the Nandikar Sanman in Calcutta in 1992.
- Satish received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for playwriting from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, in 1994.
- He was awarded the State Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Role for the Marathi film ‘Katha Don Ganpatravanchi’ in 1997.
- Satish was awarded the Vi Va Shirwadkar award for playwriting by the Natya Parishad, Nasik, in 2007.
- He received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Mumbai, in 2012.
- Satish was awarded “Padama Shree” by the President of India Pratibha Patil in 2012.
- He received the Balaraj Sahani Memorial Award in 2013 for his contribution as an actor, director, and playwright for over 40 years.
- Alekar was awarded Aarati Prabhu Award by Baba Vardam Theatres, Kudal, Dist. Sindhudurg in 2014.
- Satish was awarded the Tanveer Sanman in 2017. The Tanveer Sanman is a prestigious award for lifetime contribution in the field of Theater established by Dr. Shriram Lagoo via Rupavedh Pratisthan, Pune.
Satish Alekar accepts Tanveer Sanman
- He received Advt Tryambakrao Shirole Award for Best Non-Fiction for his book Gaganika in 2018 by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune.
Favourite
- Playwrights: Vijay Tendulkar, Girish Karnad, Mohan Rakesh, Badal Sircar
Facts/Trivia
- Alekar likes to read, travel, and spend time with his family in his spare time.
- Satish’s plays have been translated into various languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Dogri, Kannada, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Punjabi and Konkani.
- In 2001, Alekar’s play was included in the National Anthology by the National School of Drama and Sahitya Academy, Delhi.
- In 2003, Alekar was invited by the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University to teach a course on Indian Theatre.
- In 2005, the Department of Theater and Film Studies, University of Georgia, invited Satish to direct the English production of his Marathi play ‘Begum Barve.’
- In 2008, Atul Pethe made a 90-minute film on the life of Satish Alekar titled ‘Natakkar Satish Alekar (Playwright Satish Alekar).’
- Satish wrote his script in his mother tongue Marathi.
- He has collaborated on many international game translation projects.
- In 2009, During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Riddle’s Court The Holy Cow Performing Arts Group in Edinburgh, Scotland, presented an English version of the play Micky And Memsahib.
- Alekar’s play ‘Mahanviran’ is considered one of the classics of the Indian stage and has been performed more than 400 times over a period of 47 years.
- During an interview, when asked about his reasons for turning down the directorship at the National School of Drama, Delhi, and choosing to work at the Lalit Kala Kendra in Pune, Satish said,
Well, the work at Lalit Kala Kendra was more challenging, mainly because, at that time art faculty was not available in Maharashtra. In retrospect, I believe that my job at the Pune institution allowed me to give something back to the State, which has given me so much. Now that I have retired from that institution, I have more time on my hands. Actually, I’m writing a new play called Monologues, but I’m not sure when it will be finished.”
- In an interview, while talking about his drama Mahanirvan, Alekar said,
Today, the concept of death is different because it has approached us. We watch it every day, without fail, on every channel and on mobile, be it from social violence, violence or disease. Movies have become more violent. When I was young, the experience of one’s death was less ordinary and sacred. If there is a death, the whole atmosphere will change completely in the office and home. Now, people are in a hurry to resume normal life. Even though the bereaved feel the loss, they continue with their family, office and daily life.”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
