Prabhakar Panshikar

Prabhakar Panshikar प्रभाकर पणशीकर
Born	(1931-03-14)14 March 1931 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Died	Pune, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actor, Film producer, Writer
Notable work	To mi navhech (तो मी नव्हेच)
Spouse(s)	Vijaya Kulkarni
Children	3

Prabhakar Panshikar (Marathi: प्रभाकर पणशीकर) (14 March 1931 – 13 January 2011) was an Indian stage actor. His role as Lakhoba Lokhande in the drama To Mi Navhech is considered to be one of the most memorable roles presented so far on the Marathi stage. He was also the owner of Natyasampada, the well-known Marathi drama production organisation.

Biography

Panshikar was born into a family of Karhade Brahmin in Phanaswadi, Mumbai. His forefathers had been Sanskrit scholars with his Grandfather translating into Marathi Nighantu Ratnakar, the authoritative manual of Ayurvedic treatment. He had three brothers who were all masters of Sanskrit language. The Panshikar are originally from Goa, with their roots in the Panshi village in Pernem Taluka.

Initially, Panshikar worked and acted under the guidance of veteran Marathi drama director M.G. Rangnekar. Rangnekar gave him his break in the play To Mi Navhech by offering him the main role in 1962. The show became so popular that it was subsequently translated into other Indian languages like Gujarati and Kannada. He has to his credit the unique distinction of performing as an actor & producer on screen, theature & on television as well. He reached the theatre to all parts of Maharashtra. He formed an organization named Natyasampada and he developed local artists and launched them in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur etc. He has spent 53 years on stage with over 8000 performances to his credit.

Personal life

Panshikar was married to Vijaya (née Kulkarni), with whom he had three children and seven grand children. His elder daughter, Janhavi Panshikar-Singh, is also a versatile actress. She is married to TV actor Shakti Singh. Panshikar's second child, Ragunandan, was a student of Kishori Amonkar. Ragunandan is a singer and married to Aparna Deshpande and the couple have two children. Panshikar's youngest child, Tarangini, is a gold medallist in Sanskrit. She is married to marine engineer Narendra Khot. They have two children.

Death

Panshikar died in Pune on 13 January 2011 from cardiac arrest. His wife spoke out. She told an unknown source, "I wish I could see him again. I miss him. I miss him a lot."

Selected plays

• Bhatala Dili Osari
• To Mee Navhech
• Ithe Oshalla Mrutyu
• Ashroonchi Zhali Phule
• Thank You Mr.Glad
• Jithe Gavtala Bhale Phuttat
• Jwalamukhi

Selected plays as producer

• Sangeet Madanachi Manjiri
• Sangeet Suvarna Tula
• Katyar Kaljat Ghusali
• Andhar Maza Sobati
• Kimayagar
• Putrakameshti
• "Sangeet Awagha Rang Ekachi Zaala"
• "Many Happy Returns (Marathi Play)"
• "Vichcha Majhi Puri Karaa"
• "Varyavarchi Varaat"
• "Lekure Udand Jaali"
• "Lagnachi Bedi"

Honours and awards

• Vishnudas Bhave Suvarnapadak
• Rajarshee Shahu Suvarnapadak
• Natyagaurav Puraskar
• Sanget Natak Akademi Puraskar
• Natasamrat Bal Gandharva Smriti Puraskar
• Natashreshtha keshavrao Date Puraskar
• Dr.Kashinath Ghanekar Smriti Puraskar
• Natvarya Dattaram Puraskar
• Acharya Atre Puraskar
• Kalashri Puraskar
• Uttung Puraskar
• Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar
• Jagatik Marathi Parishad Puraskar
• Dinanath Mangeshkar Smriti Puraskar
• NatyaDarpan -'Man Of The Year'
• Natasamrat Nanasaheb Phatak Smriti Puraskar
• Navratna Puraskar
• Ratnappa Kumbhar Puraskar
• Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar
• First Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar of State Govt., Maharashtra, later this award was named Prabhakar Panshikar award.

See also

• Karhade Brahmin
• List of Marathi people

References

• Preface to 'To Me Navhech' by Pralhad Keshav Atre
• Autobiography 'Toch Me' by Prabhakar Panshikar