Period : 9th August 1890 – 4th October 1921

Mr. Keshavrao Bhosale was an able leader, an excellent vocalist, a versatile actor and most importantly a very good human being. He led the team by taking people along with him and encouraging them to perform. He had a tremendous learning capacity and was also a great teacher. This legacy continues to be followed by the next two generations of the company till date. In a short span of 13 years in theatre, Keshavrao got an opportunity to work with several noted personalities like Smt. Hirabai Pednekar, Vir Vamanrao Joshi, Mama Varerkar, Yashwantrao Tipnis, Kakasaheb Khadilkar to name a few.

Keshavrao Bhosale – career

Swami Siddharudha

1st January 1908 : with the blessings of Swami Siddharudha, Keshavrao established the company named “Lalitkaladarsha Natak Mandali” at the tender age of 18 at Hubli, Karnataka – India.

4th January 1908 : the first play named “Sangeet Saubhadra” was performed at the Ganeshpeth theatre in Hubli.

12th September 1910 : Keshavrao won the hearts of many in Pune by performing the 2nd play of “Sangeet Saubhadra”.

1911 : Keshavrao, who was initially rejected by several noted theatre personalities later on decided to follow his own path. Keshavrao performed “Sangeet Madalsa” with the assistance of Ramchandra Atmaram Donde and “Sangeet Damini” with all the required support from Hirabai Pednekar. The costumes and sets for these plays were organized by Anandrao Mestry and Baburao Painter.

20th September 1913 : A new drama named “Rakshasi Mahatwakansha” penned by Vir Vaman Gopal Joshi was performed at the Bombay theatre in Mumbai. The highlight of the show was the “red velvet curtain” which was introduced for the first time in the history of Marathi theatre.

December 1913 : Keshavrao was felicitated with gold medal and a certificate by editor of gazette of India, Mr. Gordon. Pt. Vishnu Digamber Paluskar also duly appreciated and admired the singing talent of Keshavrao. All the praises were ultimately attributed to his guru Jambhekarbuva.

May 1914 : the company managed to maintain its foothold by successfully performing plays like “Bal-Saubhadra” and “Bal-Mrichhakatik” during the days when around twenty five members from the company backed out.

December 1915 : “Sangeet Vratapalan” – by Dhundiraj Ranganath Shembekar. The rights for “Sangeet Manapaman” were purchased for a sum of Rs. 1000/- from Shri. Shankarrao Muzumdar and the play was performed within 8 days at Bombay theatre, Mumbai.
Keshavrao got patronage of Pandit Ramkrishnabuva Vaze as a guru during the same time.

1st april 1917 : Keshavrao was honoured by the editor of ‘Maratha’, Shri. N.C. Kelkar and other well wishers at Kirloskar Natakgruha, Pune.

7th September 1918 : a prose drama by the name “Haach Mulacha Baap” by Mama Varerkar was performed as a musical drama (sangeet natak) in Tulsiram theatre in Nagpur.

25th September 1919 : the first show of “Sangeet Sanyasacha Saunsar” by Mama Varerkar was staged at Victoria theatre, Mumbai. Keshavrao performed the most unforgettable character of David.

3rd February 1920 : The first open – air stage show “Sangeet Mrichchakatik” was staged at the request of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj in the Palace arena by Keshavrao.

14th May 1921 : “Sangeet Shaha Shivaji” written by Shri Yashwantrao Tipnis staged at Pune. Keshavrao played the role of Shivaji.

"Manapaman"

8th July 1921 : Keshavrao casted as “Dhairyadhar”, one of the most famous characters in the play named “Sangeet Manapaman” which was performed jointly with Bal Gandharva with the help of his company named “Gandharva Sangeet Natak Mandali”.

1st September 1921 : The last performance of Keshavrao as Shivaji in “Shaha Shivaji”.

4th October 1921 : Keshavrao breathed his last at 5.30 p.m. in the evening, as he was suffering from typhoid.

Keshavrao was of the opinion that, even in his absence, the roots of the long sown seeds continue to spread further. With this very foresight even at the age of 30, he made a will and granted the rights of the company to Shri Bapurao Pendharkar and Shri Nanasaheb Chaphekar.