The two medals that the late Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar,a tamasha artiste,received from the President in 1957 and 1990 still adorn the family's office that is now run by Vithabai's grandson Vishal Inamdar. His great-grandfather Bhau Narayan Khude,another well-known tamasha artist,was honoured with an award by Dr Rajendra Prasad for his contribution to the world of tamasha. Vishals mother Malti still dances in her own tamasha group. But when it comes to the future of his two-year-old son,Vishal has other plans. I didnt go to school but I want to give my son a good education so that he can do something else. I will not burden him with the task of carrying forward this legacy. Tamasha does not have the respect it used to have earlier, says 30-year-old Vishal,who organises more than 200 shows in a year. Running a tamasha troupe,he adds,has become very expensive too. Avishkar Mules father Pandurang Mule is still remembered for the female roles he essayed in his times. While Avishkar runs the tamasha troupe started by his father,his three daughters are educated and are not a part of his group. His eldest daughter Ashwini works as a legal advisor in a firm in Pune,the other two,Aboli and Akshada,are studying hotel management and mechanical engineering respectively. Avishkar too wants to switch professions and set up a small oil business. In Narayangaon,every one knows the way to Raghuvir Khedkars house. Khedkar runs a tamasha group but his son Amardeep had chosen to drive an auto rickshaw over singing in his tamasha group and his daughter is studying to be an engineer. The Khedkars,Narayangaonkars and Mules are amongst the many tamasha groups that thrive in Narayangaon near Junnar taluka (Pune district). There are around 35 big renowned tamasha groups across Maharashtra,of which 11 are based in Narayangaon. They have been in this profession for generations but not many youngsters are willing to take this tradition forward and their parents too are keen they pursue other professions. Pragya Pargavkar who is a dancer in her own tamasha mandal that has about 75 artistes,does not allow her daughter to even attend a tamasha performance and has enrolled her in a nursing course. Milind Kasbe,a professor at a local college in Narayangaon who has done a Ph.D on the art of tamasha and has interacted with more than 5,000 tamasha artistes across Maharashtra,says tamasha artistes have realised that education opens up many avenues. So,as tamasha artistes push their children to get an education and better jobs,the dance groups will increasingly find it tougher to fill their ranks.
