When Mumbai theatrewallas rehearsed at a legendary terrace

Industrialist and theatre enthusiast late Vinod Doshi inspires a fest in the city that brings back memories of a time when some of Mumbai's biggest names rehearsed at his residence

Industrialist and theatre enthusiast late Vinod Doshi inspires a fest in the city that brings back memories of a time when some of Mumbai's biggest names rehearsed at his residence

He might have been the chairman of Premier Automobiles Ltd, but to theatrewallahs, late Vinod Doshi was one of theirs. It's this memory that the Doshi family wants to keep alive through the Vinod Doshi Smruti Natya Mahotsav 2009. "We shared a special time with artists, directors, playwrights and technicians during days when we threw open the doors of Walchand Terrace. We are hoping we can re-kindle the same interest in theatre through this festival," says his wife Saryu Doshi.

For Mumbai theatre buffs, this is an opportunity to catch the best of experimental theatre from across the country. For theatre veterans it is a time to fondly recall the Walchand Terrace movement days and nights spent rehearsing at Doshi's residence, Walchand Terrace.

The Park (Hindi), today at 7 pm
Mee Majhya-shi (Marathi), April 9 at 7 pm
Mahanirvan (Marathi), April 10 at 7 pm
All plays at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi.
Call: Ashish Mehta on 9922935591.
Entry: Rs 50 and Rs 30

Remembering Doshi

Govind Nihalani, filmmaker
Walchand Terrace played a major part in our lives. It became a hub for theatre people, particularly the experimental theatre junta. My memories of the place surround how it became part of the very first new wave Marathi film, Shantata, Court Chalu Aahe. Parts of the film were shot here.

Arun Kakade, producer, Aawishkar
It was not just Vinod but the entire Doshi family that was fond of musical Marathi theatre. Before Aawishkar, we were part of a theatre group called Rangayan that produced Vijay Tendulkar's play Shantata, Court Chalu Aahe, and Vinod loved it. He even acted in the Marathi translation of Girish Karnad's Tughlaq.

Satyadev Dubey, playwright and theatre director
Vinod Doshi was impressed with one of my plays and so he asked me if I needed help on any front. I said I need space to rehearse. He gave me the ground floor of Walchand Terrace. I used the premise for four years and we put up 16 productions. Every major playwright spent time there. It was a happy time.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels