Gauri as a Victim of Sexual Abuse and Violence in Vijay Tendulkar's Ghasiram Kotwal

Vijay Tendulkar was a renowned playwright, essayist, journalist, and screenplay writer. Ghasiram Kotwal was first performed in the Marathi language on 16 December 1972, at the Bharat Natya Mandir in Pune. Ghasiram Kotwal is not a historical play. According to Vijay Tendulkar: “This is not a historical play. This is a non-historical myth presented with dance and music. Ghashirams are the creations of certain social circumstances. These social circumstances and the Ghashirams go beyond time and space. Though the playwright accepts some support from history, he does not intend to express any views on existence of Peshwai (the rule of Peshwas), Nana Phadnavis and Ghashiram Kotwal, as historical personages. If at all this feable conveys any message, it is completely different.”1 Gauri is the daughter of Ghasiram Kotwal. She is beautiful and innocent in appearance, which is evident from her very first entry in the play. She enjoys performing rituals and offering prayers. At the place of bhajan, Nana tries to seduce her through the power of his wealth. Ghasiram’s daughter has lived her life in poverty. At the outset, Ghasiram wandered in search of a livelihood. Having spent her days in poverty with her father, Ghasiram, Gauri is attracted to the wealth of Nana Phadnavis and becomes a victim of his lust. Her victimisation does not appear to be entirely her own fault. Initially, she does manage to escape from Nana’s clutches, but later, on her father’s command, she goes to him. Nana is pleased by her beauty and therefore bestows the kotwali of Pune upon her father. Once his desires are fulfilled, he has killed and buried her in the ground.