Shivputra Sambhaji: Larger than life play comes to Dombivli this week

Residents of Thane and Dombivli have an opportunity to know the life of Sambhaji Raje, son of Shivaji Maharaj this week. Starting from November 19 till 24, a mega play called Shivputra Sambhaji will be staged in Dombivli, which will have 300 artistes and live elephants, horses, camels and bullock carts.

From November 19, it will be staged at Sant Savlaram Krida Sankul in Dombivli east from 6pm to 10pm. In this play, a 120-feet-long stage with five-storey fort of 80-feet length and 55-feet height has been created. An 18-feet-long hydraulic ship will be created too and live canons, which are over 200-year-old will be used to depict firing. "What is unique about this play is that these horses, bullock carts will move among the public. Even Sambhaji Raje will have 12 entries among the public," said Mahendra Mahadik (34), writer and director.

Popular Marathi actor Dr Amol Kolhe of Chhatrapati Shivaji fame will embody the role of Sambhaji Maharaj, while actor Ravi Patwardhan will play Aurangzeb.

The play, which is being staged since past 1.5 years, has been performed for over 70 times and it has also been credited as a record-breaker play by the state government.

Mahadik, who worked as a child artiste in popular Marathi theatrical biopic, Jaanta Raja, which is based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj, researched and wrote this play in seven years.

"There is a lot of misinformation about Sambhaji which needs to be rectified. Historians have deliberately concealed good aspects about him which today's generation needs to know. He increased the strength of Shivaji Maharaj's army from 25,000 to 1.25 lakh in just seven years," he said.

Moreover, Sambhaji had keen sense of industry and business and he established the port of Kalyan to carry out trade of spices, pulses, among others with foreign countries like Paris, Istanbul and other Arab nations.

"He knew 16 languages, including English, and brought Mumbai from a British governor. The entire English conversation between them while buying Mumbai will also be staged in this play," he said.

Speaking about the inspiration to write the play, Mahadik said it is in his blood as Shivaji Maharaj's third daughter was married in his family."