Shri. Prabhakar Panshikar, has to his credit the unique
distinction of performing as an actor & producer on screen & on
television as well and reaching the theatre to each and every district, village
and taluka in Maharashtra. He developed local artists and launched them in
cities like Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur etc. through his theatre company -
Natyasampada. He did this for over five decades relentlessly with a missionary
zeal till his unfortunate demise in 2011. He was an institution by himself. He
has spent 53 years on stage with over 8000 performances to his credit. The
Government of Maharashtra, felicitated him by giving him the 1st Jeevan Gaurav
Puraskar. And further honored him by
naming this annual award itself as 'Prabhakar Panshikar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar'.
Natyasampada
Shortly after his first successful play 'To Mee Navech',
Panshikar launched his production company - 'Natya Sampada', on 8th April 1963
along with his colleagues Late Mohan Wagh and Vasudeo Kolhatkar. Later the
partners split and Shri. Prabhakar Panshikar retained Natyasampada.
In spite of some pitfalls and losses incurred in the initial
productions, Natyasampada continued its endeavor to give quality entertainment
to the Marathi audiences. 1967-Panshikar came together with a close friend and
Actor Director from the Gujarathi stage - Mr. Kanti Madia, and launched the
Gujarathi Division of 'Natya Sampada'. Since 1963 to 2002. Natyasampada , produced over 40 plays, Mr. Panshikar's health
started troubling him and the tours got constrained. Around 2006, he decided to
stop acting and handed over the management of Natyasampada to his nephew -
Anant Panshikar.
Anant Panshikar
In 2007, 40 years after the production of a successful
musical in Marathi titled 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusli', Anant Panshikar produced his
first play under the guidance of Shri. Prabhakar Panshikar titled ‘Sangeet
Awagha Rang Ekachi Zaala’. Anant Panshikar's career as 'Nirmata' began. Anant
developed a team of youngsters with fresh ideas and experimented with
international classic Waiting For Godot,where renowned actor from Hindi and
English theatre and cinema, Tom Alter made his first appearance on Marathi
stage. Since then there was no looking back and Natyasampada continued with the
same glory and pompous and produced - Many Happy Returns(2009), Vichcha Majhi
Puri Kara(2011), Varyavarchi Varaat(2011), Lekure Udand Jaali(2012), Lagnachi Bedi(2012)
and recently Zalaach Pahije(2013).