Noted actor Nana Patekar was honoured with the coveted Pu La Smriti Sanman at the 9th Pulotsav held at New English School, Ramanbaug, on Friday. The award ceremony was inaugurated by veteran cartoonist RK Laxman.
After receiving the coveted award, an emotional Patekar said, “Pu La was like a father figure to me. I am very happy to receive the puraskar named after him. Normally, I do not like to accept awards, but I couldn’t refuse this time.” Patekar was presented with a pagdi, memento, citation and Rs25,000 cash. He donated the award money to Snehalay, an NGO in Ahmednagar.
While interacting with theatre artiste Shrikant Gadre, Patekar said, “The characters Bhai (Pu La Deshpande) has created through his writings never let me feel alone. There were many layers to Bhai’s writings. I got associated with Bhai through plays and films. In fact, I had acted in his play Amhi Latike Na Bolu. I got to know RK Laxman when I was studying in JJ School of Arts. Bai (Vijaya Mehta) is an institution of theatre. In fact, Pu La Deshpande, Sulabha and Arvind Deshpande and Vijaya Mehta are the four pillars of my life.”
Speaking about corruption, Patekar said, “It’s very sad that Anna Hazare has to resort to agitation to fight corruption. While the corrupt bag big positions and govern us we cannot do anything about it.”
Laxman was felicitated with Vishesh Pulotsav Sanman by theatre and film director Vijaya Mehta. Speaking on Laxman’s behalf, his wife Kamala said, “Being felicitated with an award named after Pu La is a great honour for Laxman. Our association with Pu La was a long and enjoyable one.”
Speaking about the festival and her association with Laxman, Mehta said, “I always love to come to Pulotsav, as it is a festival in its true sense. Pu La was a multifaceted person. My association with Laxman goes back to the time when I was Viju Jaywant and was doing my first job.
“The similarity between Pu La and Laxman is that both of them had pens in their hands. While one wrote with the pen, the other used it to draw cartoons. Nana did three plays with me, viz. Hamidabaichi Kothi, Mahasagar and Purush. Acting is nothing but the ability to get into another person’s skin, and nobody else can do the roles that Nana has essayed.”
