DT's Thoughts - Mumbai Murmurings | book review

I first stepped on stage at the age of five. The plays I was familiar with then were all in English: Pied Piper of Hamelin Town, Mikado, Charlie’s Aunt, etc. It was only in 1969 when I came to Mumbai, that I was introduced to the world of Indian theatre makers, a world that Ramu Ramanathan’s book, Mumbai Murmurings, brings to life.

Out of the 213 Tiny Tales of theatre listed by Ramu, I certainly was familiar with some thirty plays and playwrights. Even though I didn’t read or speak Gujarati and Marathi, I didn’t miss a single performance if it was within my orbit. I did participate in a few Hindi Plays or translations thereof, but I never missed attending a play at Shivaji Mandir, Tejpal, or Chhabildas, venues renowned for their Marathi and Gujarati theatre.Sometimes I even ventured to Bhaidas, Ville Parle and Dinanath Mandir. And I did get to interact and know some incredible Marathi theatre stalwarts like Dharvir Bharti, Vijay Tendulkar, Satyadev Dubey, Mahesh Elkunchwar and Lalu Shah.

All places and people that Ramu vividly portrays in this book.  What he provides terrific insight into, is the theatre movement in Mumbai, which initially predominantly consisted of work in Marathi. And he does so with such ease, his writing devoid of all the jargon, simple and understated. A quality the writer himself embodies, one that I have always respected him for.

His murmurings are very interesting and deeply researched meanderings. There is not a moment of boredom, especially with every chapter ending with the delightful Green Room Gupshup - tidbits about the people mentioned in the stories. 

For all who wish to know more about the artform and how it grew to be what it is in this city, MUMBAI MURMURINGS is a page turner. I couldn’t put it down till I reached page 210 – even though it took me longer to read all the names of titles and references in a language I am not familiar with.