Spectrum Multimedia, the entertainment company presents to the Maharashtrian community worldwide, “Uttunga”, a show featuring retrospectives of three major cultural icons of
Maharashtra.

Marathi has a long tradition of art and literature. It can very easily be one of the strongest cultural movements in the world in terms of its richness and diversity. The credit has to go to those gigantic people who have contributed to this vibrant ethos. Uttunga is an effort to encompass these personalities in terms of their lives and achievements. Every Uttunga is based on the works of one of these amazing people.
The first Uttunga was performed at Sharada Centre in Pune in March 1999 to celebrate the eve of Gudipadwa- the first day of Hindu calendar. It was based on the works of Pu La Deshpande. It was a journey of his literature, plays, novels, lyrics, music, cinema…the list is long. In the year 2000, Uttunga was based on the works of Pralhad Keshav Atre. Again it tried to encompass the multifaceted personality of Pra Ke who was a great writer, journalist, educationist and a true media personality. In the year 2001, Uttunga was based on the works of the modern Valmiki- Ga Di Madgulkar and the year 2002 saw the premiere of the show based on the works of Kusumagraj (Vi Va Shirwadkar).

Uttunga is a multi-dimensional show, which uses stage techniques, filmic and audio-visual techniques, multimedia etc. It is based on a solid research into the works of the person. Top artists of the industry like Prashant Damle, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Atul Parchure, Bharati Achrekar, Ravindra Sathe, Shrikant Moghe and many more participate in these shows. These shows include singers, dancers, musicians and other performing artists, besides actors. The live stage performances are backed by multi-media presentations including film clips, photographs, and graphic works. Relevant interviews, docudramas are presented on the screen.

Produced by Indian Magic Eye, the producers of such famous Marathi serials as "Prarabdha”, “Hatleka”, "Aboli” "Bhagam Bhag”, the show has been conceptualized and directed by the famous author, director, producer of the Marathi stage, Shrirang Godbole. Apart from Pune, these shows have been performed at other places like Mumbai, Goa, Kalyan etc.

Uttunga has been a great success both creatively and commercially. Audiences and critiques alike have received it very well. A lot of research, expertise, creative and equipment time has been invested in the making of these events. The content which has been created for these shows includes a lot of research material, books, documents, film clips, interviews, final scripts, multimedia presentations, recordings of the shows etc. This content has a lot of possibilities in terms of the historical references as well presentation value. The material is enough to make a variety of shows based on these central themes. These shows can be tailor-made suiting to the performance formats and techno-commercial feasibilities.

 

G. D.Madgulkar, P.K.Atre, P.L.Deshpande 

Uttunga is not only an entertainment show but it is also an educated salute to these great people.