ABSTRACT
The dramatic hegemony of the Pune–Mumbai urban axis was successfully challenged by B. V. Varerkar from the small Konkan town of Malvan near Ratnagiri. His career span of about six decades, his breadth of genres and versatility of themes have rarely been equalled. Varerkar's first play Sangit Kunjavihari emphasised the sublime and spiritual nature of the Radha–Krishna relationship, to correct its popular perception as erotic love. It concludes with Radha's husband, and all their friends, as well as the residents of Vrindavan being enlightened about the salience of spiritual devotion. Famous as a historian of the Maratha period and well-versed in classical Sanskrit literature, Vasudevshastri Khare was also a dramatist. At an early age he composed short musical plays on mythological themes for the annual festivities of his town. While working as a school teacher, he won the drama competition held by Rajaram College of Kolhapur – on the occasion of the coronation of Shahu Maharaj – with his Gunotkarsha.
