Nataranga, a Marathi movie, recently released is a mirror of today’s times despite being based on a novel written in the seventies.

An amazing theme of a tamasha artist and the fallout of the choices he makes in life. The protagonist played by Atul Kulkarni has poignantly revealed the layers of a personality, his good and bad decisions and the heartache coupled with joys. Superb lyrics by Guru Thakur that bring out the essence of tamasha without being vulgar are very commendable. The music by Ajay – Atul brings forth the style of lavani and makes you hum along.

Ravi Jadhav has done a great job of showing the two sides of a coin. Leading a well-trodden life offers no challenges and one faces the day to day obstacles in life. That is what the protagonist does; he is a field labourer at the mercy of the farmer. His decision to start his own tamasha troupe brings him face to face with difficulties he never imagined. Such is his resolve that he is prepared to take up the role of a ‘nacha’ or ‘male dancer with feminine touch’ to popularize his tamasha troupe. His determination to pursue what he longed to do, alienate him away from his family. As a result, he is taken advantage of in ways he never thought possible. He is unfazed though heartbroken at the turn of events. He rises like the proverbial phoenix and resumes his journey to write better and better tamashas and bring this art-form to a respectable position.

Attention to detail is so in depth, where Atul has worked hard to develop a ‘six pack physique’ for the labourer’s role and loses it all when he essays the role of ‘nacha’. Cinematography is also well done with excellent lighting for night scenes. It’s the end that makes you feel that it finishes off abruptly.

This story can be transposed on anyone’s life that is faced with troubles when pursuing the bumpy path. There are two sides to a coin. One can never achieve what they want in life unless they are prepared to face adversities in life. To do something you like, you often have to accept things that you do not like more than what you bargained for. No wonder the movie is already winning awards!

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