Bhaurao Datar (14 January 1903 − 15 September 1982) was an Indian silent film actor, popularly known for his role as the 17th century Maratha king Shivaji.

Bhaurao Datar
Born(1903-01-14)14 January 1903
Died15 September 1982(1982-09-15) (aged 79)
Mumbai, Maharashtra. India
Occupation(s)actor, make-up artist, wrestler
Years active1922–1963

Early life

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Krishnaji Vishwanath Datar alias Bhaurao Datar was born on 14 January 1903 in a rich family which soon experienced a sudden financial downfall and was forced to move to Nasik, Maharashtra for better life. There his father started a tea stall near Vijayanand theatre. While helping his father to serve tea, young Datar observed renowned actors like Master Dinanath and Bal Gandharva and was attracted towards acting and learned the first lesson of acting.

With growing age, he joined a local gymnasium and soon became a wrestler and won many medals in Nasik Akhada. His well built physique and attractive personality gave him first chance to work in Dadasaheb Phalke's studio. His personal life and noted contribution in about 80 films as a lead actor have been recorded in Datar family history book named Datar Kulvrutant (1974)[1][2]

Personal life

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Bhaurao Datar married twice. His first wife was Kashi Bilwalkar and he had three daughters from his first marriage. After death of his first wife, he married Anusuya Vaidya and had one son and two daughters from his second wife.[1]

Film career

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Hero of Dadasaheb Phalke's silent movies.

Datar started his career in the era of silent films. He was associated with Phalke studio and acted in over 80 non talkie Marathi films, 20 talkie Marathi films and one Hindi film.[1][2][3][4]

1922-1928

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Out of Dadasaheb's 119 movies, 80 were made between 1918 and 1928. It is worth mentioning that out of 80 movies, 60 had Bhaurao Datar in different roles. He also acted in silent and talkie films with other renowned directors like Nanasaheb Sarpotdar, Master Vinayak and Bhalji Pendharkar. He acted in silent films but his performances were so lively that one used to be simply mesmerized.

1928-1933

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After leaving Dadasaheb's company in Nasik, he set off to Nanasaheb Sarpotdar's company in Pune known as Aryan Company. He performed brilliantly in 15 out of 20 films made her. His role as ‘Thaksen’ in Prince Thaksen, Samsher in Samsher Bahaddar (Brave Samsher), Dr. Madan in Good Bye Marriage, Ramdas in Bhavani Talwar etc. were highly appreciated. With Lalita Pawar, he had many silent films like Dashrathi Ram, Subhadra haran, Chatur Sundari, Thakay Maushi, Samsher Bahadur and Prithviraj Sanyogita. They also worked together in ‘Duniya Kya hai’ and ‘Netaji Palkar’ later.

1933-1936

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In 1933, he left Pune to enter into dazzling world of Mumbai's film industry. Ardeshir Irani's film company welcomed him. Here he played various roles in talkie films like Rukmini haran, Chalta Putla, Prithviraj Sanyukta and Devki. His role as a mentally challenged prince in ‘Chalta Putla’ was highly appreciated and famous.

1937-1944

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He acted in Dharmaveer, Chimukla Sansar, Mazhe Bal of Master Vinayak, Netaji Palkar of Sir Bhalji Pendharkar

Immortal Shivaji of film industry

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Dadasaheb Phalke first brought Shri Datar to the screen in his silent movie ‘Agryahoon Sutka’ (1929) in the role of Shivaji. Later in the era of talkies too, he made name in that role. He was known for his Shivaji role and even statue of Shivaji of Raigad made by Shri Patkar and Shri Sahastrabuddhe Guruji was made by taking all the measurements and look of Shri Bhaurao Datar byasking him to sit in front of them for hours together. The statue of Shivaji is in itself a great memory of Bhaurao Datar's role as Shivaji in the film industry.

Makeup

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Bhaurao's career as an actor did not last in the modern era of Indian cinema. But soon he was known as Dada Datar, the make up magician. A versatile actor and also a makeup artist, this was a unique combination Dada Datar had in him. After getting over with the career of an actor, Bhaurao took up a job with Mukherjee's filmalaya. Now he was called as Dada Datar and he rendered his service as a makeup master in many Hindi films. He was the most popular makeup artist and was creator of widely famous ‘Sadhana Cut’.

Documentary film

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A documentary film on Bhaurao Datar by his grand son Mr. Bharat Kanhere, exfaculty of Cinematography FTII, Pune will be shortly released. This film is specially made to honour Bhaurao Datar and many others who have valuable contribution to the film industry but did not get enough recognition. This film is about an outstanding contribution of a multitalented artist ‘Bhaurao Datar’ to Indian film industry.

List of silent Marathi movies

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Year Film Director Producer/Film company
1922 Ahiravan Mahiravan Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1922 Ganesh Avatar Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1922 Haritalika Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1922 Pandav Vanavas Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1922 Shishupal Vadh Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Ashwathama Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Babruwahan Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Buddha Dev Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Gora Kumbhar Mr G.V.Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Guru Dronoacharya Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Jarasandha Vadha Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Kalicha Narad Mr Shinde Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Kanya Vikraya V.S. Nirntar Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Mahananda Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1923 Champraj Hado Nanubhai B. Desai
1923 Durgesh Nandini Bhalji Pendharkar Hindustan Film Co Nasik
1924 Datta Janma Mr. G.V. Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1924 Jayadratha Vadh Mr. G.V. Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1924 Shivajichi Agryhun Sutaka Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1924 Sundopasund Mr. G.V. Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1924 Municipal Election Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Anant Vrat G.V Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Chatruthicha Chandra Dadasaeb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Hidimba Bakasur Vadh Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Sant Janabai Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Satyabhama Vivah Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Shatmukh Ravan Vadh Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1925 Simantak Mani Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Sati Tara Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Balaji Nimbalkar Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Bhakta Pralhad Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Bhim Sanjieevan GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Keechaka Vadh GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Sant Eknath Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1926 Ramrajya Vijay Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Bhakta Sudama Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Draupadi Vastraharan Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Hanuman Janma Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Madalasa GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Rukmini Haran Mr. Shinde Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Dashavatar GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1927 Ramrajya Vijay Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Parshuram Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Bhakta Damaji Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Ghoshayatra GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Narad Sansar Mr. Shinde Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Sati Pingala GV Sane Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Malhari Martand Mamasahab Shinde Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1928 Krishna Shishtai Dadasaheb Phalke Hindustan Film Co.Nasik
1929 Shri Balaji GV Sane Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Thaksen Rajputra ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Subhadra Haran ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Prempash Mr Dinkar Bidkar Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Parijatak GV Sane Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Prithviraj Sanyogita ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Dashrathi Ram GV Sane Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Raja Harishchandra ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1929 Vasant Sena
1930 Subramaniyam ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1930 Soneri Khanjar Harshadrai Mehta Suresh film co, Pune
1930 Chatur Sundri ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1930 Bhimsen ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1930 Samsher Bahadur ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1930 Champion of the Sword ND Sarpotdar Aryan film co, Pune
1930 Komalner Nikusum Dhirubhai Desai SUresh film co, Pune
1931 Bhavani Talwar ND Sarpotdar Aryan Film Co., Pune
1931 Nako Ga Bai Lagna ND Sarpotdar Aryan Film Co., Pune
1931 Raj Nandini Dinkar Bidkar Aryan Film Co., Pune
1931 Satyawan Savitri Dinkar Bidkar Aryan Film Co., Pune
1931 Krishna Maya GV Sane Aryan Film Co., Pune
1931 Sultana Chandbibi ND Sarpotdar Aryan Film Co., Pune
1932 Shyam Sundar
1933 Vijay Danka Baburao chavan Shri Ramesh Film, Bangalore
1933 Rukmini Haran ND Sarpotdar Imperial film
1934 Devaki ND Sarpotdar Imperial film
1934 Krishna Arjuna Yodha Vishram Bedekar
1934-5 Chalta Putala ND Sarpotdar Imperial film
Goswami Tulsidas GV Sane
War between Vali and Sugriva Shinde Hindustan Film Co. Nasik

[5][6][7]

List of talkie Marathi movies

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Year Film Director Producer/Film company
1937 Dharmaveer Master Vinayak Huns Picture
1938 Chandrarao More Mr Arolkar General Pictures
1938 Duniya Kya Hai GP Pawar Uday Picture
1939 Netaji Palkar Bhalji Pendharkar Arun Picture
1939 Raja Sriyal G P Pawar Uday Picture
1939 Bhagwa Zhenda Bhalji Pendharkar Saraswati Cinetone
1943 Chimulka Sansar Master Vinayak Praful Chitra
1943 Mazhe Bal Master Vinayak Praful Picture
1944 Gaja Bhau Master Vinayak Praful Picture

[5]

List of films (as makeup director)

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  • 1937 Dharmaveer
  • 1943 Chimukala sansar
  • 1944 Gajabhau
  • 1962 Ek musafir Ek Hasina
  • 1963 Yeh Rastey hen pyar ke
  • Alif Laila
  • Love in Simla
  • Halaku
  • Khazanchi
  • Neelofer
  • Chor Bazar
  • Sitra

[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Datar, S.K. (1974). Datar Kulvrutant.
  2. ^ a b Bhalekar, Vasant (1961). "The Great actor who made role of Shivaji immortal in Cinema – Bhaurao Datar". Rasrang Film Magazine.
  3. ^ Shirwadkar, Madhur (1980). "Me and Shivaji". Rasrang Film Magazine.
  4. ^ a b Kinikar, Shashikant (2014). "Shatak Mahotsavi Chitra Sampada – 1913-2013". Kiran Shantaram, Chalchitra Shastriya Va Sanskritik Pratisthan.
  5. ^ a b Thakur, Dilip (2014). Shatak Mahotsavi Chitra Sampada – 1913-2013. Mumbai: Kiran Shantaram, Chalchitra shastriya va Sanskritik Pratisthan.
  6. ^ Chabria, Suresh, ed. (2013). Light of Asia : Indian silent cinema, 1912-1934 (Rev. and expanded ed.). New Delhi: Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-9383098026.
  7. ^ Verma, R.K. (2000). Filmography Silent Cinema 1913-1934. Dehradun. p. 175.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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