Ajay Kumar at 00:03, 30 August 2023

2023-08-30T00:03:13Z

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{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dada Kondke
| image = Dad-Kondke-pic.jpg
| imagesize = 225px
| caption =
| birth_name = Krishna Kondke
| birth_date = {{birth date|1932|08|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1998|03|14|1932|08|08|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| other_names = Dada
| occupation = [[Actor]], [[Film director|director]], [[lyricist]], [[writer]], [[singer]]
| years_active = 1969–1997
| spouse = {{Marriage|Nalini Kondke|1960|1967}}
}}

'''Krishna "Dada" Kondke''' (Marathi pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[d̪aːd̪a koːɳɖke]]]; 8 August 1932 – 14 March 1998) was an Indian actor and film producer. He was one of the most renowned personalities in [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film industry]], famous for his [[double entendre]] dialogues in movies.

Kondke was born into a family owning a grocery shop and owners of chawls in Morbaug area of Mumbai which were let out. His family members were also foreman handling millworkers of Bombay Dyeing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Dada-Kondke-award-for-best-regional-film-introduced/articleshow/506703.cms|title=Dada Kondke award for best regional film introduced | Pune News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=23 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223205945/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/dada-kondke-award-for-best-regional-film-introduced/articleshow/506703.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Dada Kondke was entered in the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' for the highest number of films (nine) that achieved silver jubilee (running for 25 consecutive weeks).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/dada-kondke-birth-anniversary-life-story-facts-sc89-nu612-ta322-1175295-1.html|title=Dada Kondke's name is in the Guinness Book of World Records, used to do hooliganism in childhood|author=Patil, Ninad |publisher=News Track |date=8 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-full-house-for-marathi-cinema-2217580|title=Marathi cinema flies high, leaves big brother Bollywood in its growth trajectory {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=29 May 2016|website=dna|language=en-US|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530223453/http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-full-house-for-marathi-cinema-2217580|url-status=live}}</ref> Kondke was called "Dada", an honorific Marathi term meaning "elder brother", which led to his popular name Dada Kondke. He was credited with introducing the genre of [[sex comedy]] to [[Marathi cinema]] and [[Indian cinema]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.punemirror.in/entertainment/unwind/Just-for-laughs/articleshow/51228800.cms | title=Just for laughs | date=3 March 2016 | access-date=3 March 2016 | archive-date=7 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307160215/http://www.punemirror.in/entertainment/unwind/Just-for-laughs/articleshow/51228800.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Early life ==
Kondke was a born to and raised in a [[Koli people|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Damodaran|first=Harish|url=|title=INDIA'S NEW CAPITALISTS: Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation|date=25 November 2018|publisher=[[Hachette India]]|year=2018|isbn=978-93-5195-280-0|location=[[New Delhi]], [[India]]|pages=283|language=en}}</ref> family of cotton-mill workers in a [[chawl]] in Naigaon, near [[Lalbaug]], [[Mumbai]]. His family originally hailed from the village of Ingavali which was in the erstwhile [[Bhor State]] near [[Pune]]. Kondke and his migrant family retained close connections to their rural roots.
As a youngster, Kondke was a rough kid who later on took up job in a local grocery retail chain called ''Apna Bazaar''. He lost his parents to unfortunate events and the grieving process changed him profoundly. Left alone with his elder brother Dhondiram and his family to take care of him, these events made him focus more on the lighter side of life and make people laugh. Kondke started his entertainment career with a [[Musical ensemble|band]] and then worked as a stage actor. While working for the drama companies, Kondke toured throughout Maharashtra which helped him understand the local population's taste in entertainment.

== Career ==

===Stage career===
Kondke was involved in cultural activities of [[Seva Dal]], a Congress party volunteers organization, where he started working in dramas. During this period came in contact with various Marathi stage personalities including writer, [[Vasant Sabnis]]. Later, Kondke started his own theatre company, and approached Sabnis to compose a drama script for him. Sabnis appreciated Dada's performance in ''Khankhanpurcha Raja'' (Translation: ''Bankrupt King''), and agreed to write a modern Marathi language [[Tamasha]] or Loknatya ([[folk play]]). The drama was named ''Vichha Majhi Puri Kara'' (Translation: ''Fulfill my Wish''). The drama went on to play over 1500 shows all over Maharashtra and made Dada a star.

===Film career===
''Vichha Majhi Puri Kara'' brought Kondke into spotlight and in 1969, he debuted in Marathi movies through a role in [[Bhalji Pendharkar]]'s movie ''Tambdi Maati'' which won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi]]. He then turned producer with ''Songadya'' in 1971.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/14dada.htm|title=Rediff On The Net, Movies:A journalist remembers Dada Kondke|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223045753/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/14dada.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Songadya'' was based on a story written by [[Vasant Sabnis]], and was directed by Govind Kulkarni. He cast himself as Namya, the simpleton who falls for the glamour of Kalavati (played by [[Usha Chavan]]) who is a dancer. Some of the other people who played major characters in this movie were [[Nilu Phule]], [[Ganpat Patil]], Sampat Nikam and Ratnamala. Kondke retained his team from ''Songadya'' and delivered his next hit [[Eakta Jeev Sadashiv]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gangar |first1=Amrit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djUFmlFbzFkC |title=Routledge handbook of Indian cinemas |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0415677745 |editor-last=Gokulsing |editor-first=K. Moti |location=London |pages=82–83 |chapter=Marathi cinema: The exile, the factory and fame |access-date=20 February 2017 |editor-last2=Dissanayake |editor-first2=Wimal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929012906/https://books.google.com/books/about/Routledge_Handbook_of_Indian_Cinemas.html?id=djUFmlFbzFkC |archive-date=29 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kondke's story-lines were always based on the simpleton engaged in lower level occupations. For example, Kondke portrayed himself as a ''Dhobi'' (Laundry Man) in ''Aali Angavar'', Poor Farmer in ''Songadya'', and a Police Constable in ''Pandu Havaldar''. Kondke is known for using the same team of actors, technicians and playback singers to repeat the formula for success that he believed he had got from his debut film. Many of his movies, produced under the "Kamakshi Pictures" banner, had [[Usha Chavan]] as the lead actress, Rajesh Mujumdar as screen play writer (from ''Pandu Hawaldar'' onward), [[Raam Laxman]] as music director, Jayawant Kulkarni and later [[Mahendra Kapoor]] as the male playback singer, [[Usha Mangeshkar]] as the female playback singer, and Bal Mohite as the chief assistant. Kondke often employed the veteran actor-dancer, [[Bhagwan Dada]] in dancing sequences in his films such as ''Aali Angavar'', ''Hyoch Navra Pahije'', ''Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya'', and ''Ram Ram Gangaram''. Teaming up with his nephew Vijay Kondke who later produced the blockbuster Maherchi Saadi, and Vijay's brothers, the Kondke family reached zenith of their careers and stayed united till Dada demised.

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style=background:#B0C4DE; | Year
! style=background:#B0C4DE; | Film
! style=background:#B0C4DE; | Role
! style=background:#B0C4DE; | Language
! style=background:#B0C4DE; | Notes
|-
| 1969
| ''[[17th National Film Awards|Tambdi Maati]]''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1981
| ''Ganimi Kawa''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1971
| ''Songadya''
| Namya
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Eakta Jeev Sadashiv|Ekta Jeev Sadashiv]]''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1973
| ''Andhala Marto Dola''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Pandu Hawaldar]]''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1976
| ''Tumcha Amacha Jamala''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Ram Ram Gangaram]]''
| Gangaram
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1977
| ''Chandu Jamadar''
|
| Gujarati
|
|-
| 1978
| ''Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgudalya''
| Chhotu
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1980
| ''Hyoch Navra Pahije''
| Gopi
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1982
| ''Aalee Angawar''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1984
| ''Tere Mere Beech Mein''
| Gangaram
| Hindi
|
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Khol De Meri Zuban]]''
|
| Hindi
|
|-
|1986
|''[[Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein]]''
|
|Hindi
|
|-
| 1988
| ''Mukaa Ghya Mukaa''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Aage Ki Soch]]''
|
| Hindi
|
|-
| 1989
| ''Mala Gheun Chala''
| Ganpa
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1990
| ''Palva Palvi''
| Shirpya(Sripati)
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1992
| ''Yevu Kaa Gharaat''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1994
| ''Saasarche Dhotar''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 1995
| ''Vajau Ka''
|
| Marathi
|
|-
| 2000
| ''Le Chal Apne Sang''
|
| Hindi
| (dedicated to the memory of) produced by Sunita Kondke
|}

=== Featured songs ===
As a lyricist he wrote multiple songs on animals
* "''Manasa paras medhara bari''" (meaning 'sheep are much better than human beings') in the film ''[[Ekta Jeev Sadashiv]]''
* "''Labaad Landga Dhwang Kartay''" (on the cunningness of foxes) in ''Ekta Jeev Sadashiv''
* "''Chalara vaghya''" (dog) in the film ''Tumcha Amcha Jamala''
* "''Jodi bailachi khillari''" (bullocks) in the film ''Mala Gheun Chala''
* "''Bakricha samdyasni laglay lala''" (goat) in the film ''Ram Ram Gangaram''
[[Bhajan|Bhajans]]
* "''[[Hanuman|Anjanichyā Sutā]] Tulā [[Rama|Rāmācha]] Vardān''" in the film ''Tumcha Amcha Jamala''

==Political career==
[[Balasaheb Thackeray]], leader of the party [[Shiv Sena]], helped Kondke with screenings of ''Songadya'', when Dev Anand’s film, ''Tere Mere Sapne'' was released, and resulted in movie theatres replacing showings of ''Songadya'', for it. The move angered Marathi-speaking moviegoers, as many were eager to watch Kondke's film. The news of the replacement reached the Sena Bhavan, and after a meeting, party members and locals marched to the theatre to protest the move. Thackeray's justification for supporting Kondke was that he was a Marathi ''Māṇūs'' (Man). In return, Kondke, with Gajanan Shirke, helped found the ''Chitrapat Shakha'.
Kondke was impressed with Thackeray's charisma and had toured Maharashtra to attract voters towards Shiv Sena. Kondke was a very active member of Shiv Sena and was able to influence many areas of rural Maharashtra due to his popularity and way of making fiery speeches to impress the masses.

== Personal life ==
He was married to Nalini but they later got divorced. He did not remarry.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} On 14 March 1998,<ref>{{cite news |title=Marathi comedian Dada Kondke dead |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/mar/14dada.htm |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228084302/http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/mar/14dada.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Dada Kondke is supposed to have suffered a [[heart attack]] at his residence Rama Niwas in [[Dadar]], Mumbai. At the time, Kondke was working on the film ''Jaraa Dheer Dhara'' with [[Usha Chavan]].<ref name="auto"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|India|Film}}
*{{IMDb name|0464880}}
*[http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/14dada.htm The comic spirit]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021001524/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-02-23/pune/28337305_1_films-marathi-award State institutes Dada Kondke award]
*[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19991004/ige04068.html Now even Kondke's book raises controversy]
*[http://www.screenindia.com/old/mar27/films3.htm Dada Kondke: End of an era]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080403211844/http://marathi.indianmp3.in/music/dada-kondke-mp3.html Dada's Songs Direct Download]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150610194824/http://www.marathicharolya.in/marathiworld/categories.php?cat_id=30&page=3 Dada Kondke pictures]
*[http://www.marathimirchi.com/marathi/search.php?search_keywords=kondke More pictures of Dada Kondke from Marathi movies]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kondke, Dada}}
[[Category:People from Pune district]]
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors in Marathi cinema]]
[[Category:Marathi film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Film producers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Maharashtra]]

Dada Kondke - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 00:03, 30 August 2023