OlivaGabel6: adding some data initial version.

2025-12-22T21:48:01Z

adding some data initial version.

New page

{{Short description|Indian theatre actor (1913–1984)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Master Dattaram
| image = Master Dattaram -Konkani Vishwakosh.png
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Dattaram Narayan Walwaikar
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1913|6|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Volvoi]], [[Portuguese Goa]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1984|9|19|1913|6|10|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Vasai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| spouse =
| other_names =
| occupation = Theatre actor, director
| years_active =
| known_for =
| movement =
| notable_works =
| awards = [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] (1978)
}}

'''Master Dattaram''', born '''Dattaram Narayan Walwaikar''' (also spelled as '''Dattaram Narayan Volvoikar'''; 10 June 1913 – 19 September 1984), was an Indian theatre actor and director from [[Goa]]. He is known for his work in the [[Marathi theatre]], particularly for his association with the Goa Hindu Association and his roles in historical plays.

==Early life==
Dattaram Narayan Walwaikar<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001/acref-9780195644463-e-0142 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2004 |isbn=9780195644463 |editor-last=Lal |editor-first=Ananda |chapter=Dattaram Narayan Walwaikar, ‘Master’ (1913–84)|url-access=subscription}}</ref> was born on 10 June 1913 in the village of [[Volvoi]], [[Portuguese Goa]]. He received formal education up to the fourth grade, but reportedly lacked an interest in academic studies. Instead, he developed a passion for performance by participating in traditional [[Dashavatara|Dashavtari]] plays.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999">{{cite wikisource |editor-first1=Tanaji |editor-last1=Halarnkar |editor-link1=Tanaji Halarnkar |others= |title=Konkani Vishwakosh |trans-title=Konkani Encyclopaedia |wslink=Page:Konkani Viswakosh Vol3.pdf/694 |type= |edition= |series= |pages=694–695 |volume=3 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Goa University]] |location=Goa |language=gom |wslanguage=gom }}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career (1923–1940s)===
At the age of 10, Dattaram joined the Lalitprabha musical troupe, led by Sakharam Barve. He briefly performed the role of Pendha in the play ''Kunjvihari'', written by [[Mama Varerkar]]. He subsequently joined the Rang Bodhechhu Samaj, a theatre company run by Raghuvir Savkar. During his time with this group, he was noted for his performance as Kritike in the play ''Sanshaykallol''. Although he did not receive formal training from a playwright, he taught himself acting by observing established artists such as [[Nanasaheb Phatak]], [[Chintamanrao Kolhatkar]], and Ganpatrao Joshi.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

Dattaram later joined the Prabhat Sangeet Mandal, owned by Vishnu Borkar. During his tenure there, he demonstrated versatility by enacting a wide range of roles, including heroes, heroines, villains, and comedic characters. His repertoire included plays such as ''Manaapman'', ''Lalatlekh'', ''Punyaprabhav'', ''Paishancha Paus'', ''Nekjat Maratha'', and ''Rakshasi Mhavakansha''. Beyond acting, he was involved in various aspects of theatre production, including costume design, curtain painting, accounting, and conducting rehearsals. He was also known for mentoring new artists within the company.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

===Move to Mumbai and mainstream success===
With the rise of [[Cinema of India|cinema]], the popularity of theatre began to decline, leading Dattaram to move to [[Mumbai]]. Despite facing financial difficulties during this transition, he continued to pursue theatre with various groups.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

He eventually joined the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh's theatre wing. His acting style was characterized by precise voice modulation, posture, and flexible movement. Significant roles during this period included Jaipal in ''Vaijayanti'', the King in ''Janatecha Raja'', Karna in ''Kaunteya'', and the villain Udaji in ''Honaji Bal''. He received acclaim for his portrayal of [[Ramashastri]] in a production that featured Nanasaheb Phatak as Raghoba and [[Durga Khote]] as Anandi. This specific production won the first prize at the All India All Language Theater Festival held in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

Dattaram was later invited to join the Lalitkaladarsha theatre company. He gained fame for his performances in plays such as ''Satteche Gulam'', ''Sonyacha Kalas'', ''Aakashganga'', ''Duritche Timir Javo'', and ''Panditraj Jagannath''.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

===Direction and later years===
Dattaram made significant contributions to the Goa Hindu Association's art department. He achieved major success directing and playing the lead role of [[Shivaji]] in the play ''Raigadala Jevha Jag Yete'' (When Raigad Wakes Up). He also directed the association's production of ''Matsyagandha'', in which he played the character of [[Bhishma]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

In his later years, Dattaram taught theatre studies. He died in [[Vasai]] on 19 September 1984.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

==Legacy==
In June 2012, [[Kala Academy]] celebrated a World Theatre Festival to commemorate the centenary year of Dattaram's birth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fernandes |first=Loretta |date=2012-06-10 |title=Theatre festival in Volvoikar's memory |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/theatre-festival-in-volvoikars-memory/articleshow/13981444.cms |access-date=2025-12-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> On his 100th birth anniversary in 2013, a book on his life was released as part of a special programme at the [[Institute Menezes Braganza]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fernandes |first=Joaquim |date=2013-06-05 |title=As part of the birth centenary celebrations of renowned Goan theatre artiste Dattaram Volvoikar alias Master Dattaram, the directorate of art and culture will hold a special programme to release a book on his life on June 9, 2013. Announcing this at a press conference, minister for art and culture Dayanand Mandrekar said that programme will be held at 3.45 p.m. on June 9 at the Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panaji. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/as-part-of-the-birth-centenary-celebrations-of-renowned-goan-theatre-artiste-dattaram-volvoikar-alias-master-dattaram-the-directorate-of-art-and-culture-will-hold-a-special-programme-to-release-a-book-on-his-life-on-june-9-2013-announcing-this-at-a-press-conference-minister-for-art-and-culture-dayanand-mandrekar-said-that-programme-will-be-held-at-3-45-p-m-on-june-9-at-the-institute-menezes-braganza-hall-panaji-/articleshow/20445012.cms |access-date=2025-12-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

An auditorium at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda, is named after him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Konkani Play 'Ganv Zala Zantto' Sets World Record with 7 Shows in a Day at Ponda |work=Herald Goa |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/goa/konkani-play-ganv-zala-zantto-sets-world-record-with-7-shows-in-a-day-at-ponda/411004/ |access-date=2025-12-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Master Dattaram}}
[[Category:1913 births]]
[[Category:1984 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors in Marathi theatre]]
[[Category:People from Portuguese India]]
[[Category:Male actors from Goa]]

Master Dattaram - Revision history

OlivaGabel6: adding some data initial version.