Online drama is the future of theatre : Ajit Parab
As the theatres are locked down due to corona virus pandemic inflicted lockdown, there no films shown or even plays staged. Theatre artists want the drama theatres to open because a lot of people dependent on it to earn something. Marathi dramas are patronised by few people and many artists get engaged here for the love of the theatre. To combat this situation director Hrishikesh Joshi came up with a novel idea to stage a live Natak online. He calls it Netak, Natak presented through Net. A play named ‘Mogra’ was streamed and it received tremendous response as connoisseurs of Marathi play were longing to watch a natak for a long time. Cocieved and directed Hrishikesh Joshi (last seen in web series Breathe 2) the play will feature leading Marathi actresses and household names Spruha Joshi, Bhargavi Chiramule, Gauri Deshpande, Mayura Palande and Vandana Gupte.
Important part of this Netak is it’s music which is composed by noted young music composer Ajit Parab, which is hailed by everyone. While speaking to *Cine Buster*, he said, ‘Although this is the first play of its kind to be presented through the internet, I was excited. Though there were many difficulties and overcoming it was a challenge. But I received immense pleasure after the first show was over. It was a joyous task and I strongly feel that Online drama is the future of theatre’. ‘Mogra’ is staged through internet in different places of Maharashtra and unique part is all the five artists use five different genre of music. It was challenging for Ajit Parab but as he enjoys challenges, the outcome was superlative.
Ajit Parab is working on, apart from ‘Mogra’, music projects on television, films and one act plays in theatre. ‘When Hrishikesh, he’s a dear friend, called me and put in a request to compose music for ‘Mogra’, I instantly agreed. I just loved the concept so much that while talking with him some tunes started taking shape in my head. Online drama is an unique concept. I was excited with the experiment part. But when the rehearsals began, I started realising the gravity of difficulties I’ll have to overcome. Musical intricacies were to be coped up with because of the frequency at which the music was to be relayed. Too many technical glitches were to be taken care of. On top of it, it was decided to use five different genres for five characters. In fact this aspect has made the music and the play more interesting. After the first show, and the gauging response it received, I was a relieved and a happy man. Our efforts were fructified’ Ajit Parab was talking with sincerity.
While expressing his views on this newer medium Ajit Parab opined, ‘This type of online drama cannot be compared to theatre, cinema or television. It’s a completely different platform and should be looked at in the same light. There will be many different experiments in the waiting in the future. So I think musically it’s a different challenge and it’s just as much fun. I have a great passion for this play and this platform and it has opened a new gallery of entertainment for the audience. This type is not limited to lockdown, but will continue to do so. I am sure the audience will respond spontaneously to this online play’.
Ajit Parab was always interested in music since childhood and he became increasingly active with inter school and Inter collegiate drama competitions, composing music. He debuted with Mahesh Manjrekar directorial and Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Sharmila Tagore starrer ‘Virudh…..The Family Comes First’, where he sang his first song. There was no looking back since then. Ajit Parab is a leading name in the field of Indian music, especially in Marathi music. For movies like De Dhakka, Natsamrat, Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, Aani … Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar, Lokmanya, Ajit Parab received huge laurels and established his position in music industry. Ajit not only composes music but writes lyrics and sings too. He has tried his hand at acting also and played Nana Patekar’s son in ‘Natsamrat’.
He composed music for the film ‘Matichya Chuli’ starring Sudhir Joshi, Vandana Gupte and directed by Atul Kale and Sudesh Manjrekar. He won the Silver Award for Best Music Director for his music for Aina Ka Bayana. His upcoming film is ‘Aashcharya Fcuk It’ which is directed by Smit Kakkad, Priyanka Bose, Vaibhavraj Gupta and Ankit Raj. Apart from this, he is currently working on several plays, films and one-act plays. Talking about these upcoming projects, he says, ‘Jitendra Joshi, Pushkar Shrotri and Sharwari Lohkare will present the mystery stories of Ratnakar Matkari. I am doing it’s background music. That too is very interesting. It’s not like a play, and it’s just a recitation, but it’s a play. (Laughs) In this way, the audience can experience mystery for the first time. So it was a lot of fun working on it’s music. In addition to this I’ll be a creative music director for a singing reality show on Sony Marathi, ‘Singing Star’’ said Mr Parab.
‘Classical dancer Sonia Parchure has created a unique ballet, for which the work is on. Besides this I am composing for a film. Currently the studios are not fully operational. So while some online projects are underway, few are just on paper right now. In addition, I am doing an important project wherein 40 to 50 one-act plays in Marathi will be shot. Leading Marathi artists are part of it. I’m composing for that project too, which rolls this August’ concluded Ajit Parab.