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{{Short description|Indian stage designer (1942–2014)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kamlakant Chari
| image = Kamlakant Chari.jpg
| caption = Chari in an undated portrait released by [[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] in 2012
| birth_name = Comlo Naraina Chari
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|11|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Parcem]], [[Goa]], [[Portuguese India]], [[Portuguese Empire]] (now in India)
| death_place = [[Goa Medical College]], Bambolim, Goa, India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2014|5|1|1942|11|17|df=y}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Stage designer|sound designer|lighting designer<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |title=100 Years of Konkani Tiatro |date=2000 |publisher=Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture |pages=342–343 |language=en |access-date=2024-01-12 |archive-date=2024-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107200151/https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| years_active = 1970s–2011
| spouse = {{marriage|Bebi Babu Zo|1979}}
| children = 1
}}

'''Kamlakant Narayan Chari''' (born '''Comlo Naraina Chari'''; 17 November 1942 – 1 May 2014) was an Indian [[stage designer]], [[light designer]], and [[sound designer]] known for his work in [[Marathi theatre]] and ''[[tiatr]]'' productions.

==Early life==
Kamlakant Narayan Chari, originally named Comlo Naraina Chari, was born on 17 November 1942, in [[Parcem]], [[Goa]], which was a part of [[Portuguese India]] during the era of the [[Portuguese Empire]]. He was born into a [[Hindu]] family to parents Naraina Comlo Chari (later Narayan Kamla Chari), hailing from [[Pernem#List of towns and villages|Corgao]]-[[Pernem]], and Loximin (later Laxmi Narayan Chari),<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Bendi |first=Narayan Shripad |date=23 April 1979 |title=Registration of Marriage |url=https://services.goaonline.gov.in/t-bhBeG0CQ4fUsYdqv8IWwf5w3eZzN2KGTpvN2hifLJPLWeFdNsAhiO1IVBeFWJo--sxuDiSkj4cBouH8BYx9uSNz3jbx95PL995kcSxtnrrU1qqZUeFHBL0zH_B_o_qI0Yn9nWEpm_kl2vuh1xW8sAol-2ZD-iDWhXpXWE_eMk/t-bc8/9nW91 |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=Goa Online}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> who was a [[homemaker]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 June 2006 |title=Registo De Nascimento |url=https://goaonline.gov.in/Appln/UIL/BirthDeathCertificate_af?__Key=&_Mode=B&__cscKey= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810131321/https://goaonline.gov.in/HomePage |archive-date=10 August 2023 |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=Goa Online}}</ref> Chari showed a strong interest in painting, design, acting, and mechanical work since he was young. His artistic path began with participating in [[Marathi theatre|Marathi plays]] in nearby villages. His stage presence was known for his acting talent, which held the audience's interest. He showed a strong enthusiasm for [[stage design]], offering helpful ideas to improve the overall visual impact of theatrical productions. As time progressed, Chari realized his potential for innovative [[stage set]]ting. This realization ignited his passion and spurred him to explore new horizons in stage design.<ref name=":5" />

==Career==
In the early stages of his career, Chari faced the challenge of not having his own [[stage set]]s and curtains. To surmount this challenge, he utilized a stage setting facility located in [[Mapusa]], where he obtained the required [[stage prop]]s. At times, he even took on the responsibility of transporting all the curtains via bicycle from Mapusa to [[Panjim]], returning them the next day after the event had ended. Chari's work and diligence yielded rewards in both his personal and professional life. Despite not achieving considerable financial success from his stage setting services, he established a reputation as a creative and well-liked stage [[set designer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Navhind |date=2011-10-27 |title=Meet Kamlakant Chari, at 'Kolakorak Bhett', – The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2011/10/27/magazines/buzz/ilive-meet-kamlakant-chari-kolakorak-bhett/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418100218/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2011/10/27/magazines/buzz/ilive-meet-kamlakant-chari-kolakorak-bhett/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Chari dedicated over four decades of his life to serving the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''[[tiatr]]'' stage by supplying essential stage settings. He belonged to a new wave of stage set designers, employing modern techniques and approaches. Initially, he catered to amateur ''[[tiatrist]]s'', gradually earning the opportunity to collaborate with directors such as [[Jacinto Vaz]], [[M. Boyer]], Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, [[Remmie Colaço]], and others. Through his work, Chari established a leading position for himself within the ''tiatr'' stage community. Furthermore, Chari extended his talent and expertise to [[Marathi theatre|Marathi drama]]s from the 1970s onwards. His distinctive stage settings garnered accolades and recognition not only within [[Goa]] but also at the national level.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=da Costa |first=Fausto V. |title=TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume |publisher=[[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] |year=2019 |location=[[Panaji, Goa]] |pages=253}}</ref>

Chari had the privilege of representing Goa at the National Theatre festival known as [[Bharat Rang Mahotsav]]. This festival, jointly organized by the [[National School of Drama]] in [[New Delhi]] and the [[Nehru Centre]] in [[Mumbai]], served as a platform for showcasing theatrical talent from across the country.<ref name=":5" /> Furthermore, Chari was an active participant in multiple state-level theater festivals across cities like Mumbai, [[Delhi]], [[Bangalore]], [[Pune]], and [[Kolhapur]]. During the 20th century, the influx of ''tiatr'' directors from [[Bombay]] to Goa brought about an interesting collaboration. Given the abundance of stage sets in Bombay, owing to the widespread production of dramas called ''nataks'', these directors would transport the sets along with their productions. However, Chari's skills as a stage set designer caught the attention of popular ''tiatr'' directors like [[Prem Kumar (Konkani actor)|Prem Kumar]] and [[C. Alvares]]. Upon discovering his talent, they sought his assistance, and Chari willingly joined forces with them. While traveling through diverse villages and cities, Chari shared his knowledge with various ''tiatr'' directors, accompanied by his son Kapil, who offered assistance along the way. Although Kapil's involvement initially lacked a serious commitment, it laid the foundation for his future contributions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Setting the stage for tiatr |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/Setting-the-stage-for-tiatr/139025 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 |archive-date=2023-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122143253/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/Setting-the-stage-for-tiatr/139025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chari's impact on the commercial ''tiatr'' stage was significant. In a milestone, he introduced stage sets for the first time in a ''tiatr'' production written and directed by [[Jacinto Vaz]], a comedian of the ''tiatr'' stage. The quality of Chari's stage sets did not go unnoticed, earning admiration from other figures within the ''tiatr'' community.<ref name=":0" />

During the peak period of ''[[tiatr]]'' stage shows, artists like [[M. Boyer]], Prem Kumar, C. Alvares, Bab Peter, Mike Mehta, [[John Claro]], Rosario Rodrigues, [[Roseferns]], [[Prince Jacob]], Pascoal, [[Mario Menezes]], [[John D'Silva]], Comedian Agostinho, Comedian Domnic, Peter Roshan, Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, and others enlisted the skills of Chari to design [[stage set]]s for their ''tiatr'' performances. Chari's artistic abilities were not limited to the ''tiatr'' genre; he also showcased his creativity by designing unique stage sets for [[Chris Perry (musician)|Chris Perry]]'s [[musical show|musical productions]] in the 1970s. Chari's contributions were regarded in the annual competitions organized by the [[Kala Academy]], where he crafted stage sets for the award-winning ''tiatrs'' of artists like [[Tomazinho Cardozo]] and Cezar D'Mello, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=de Sa |first=Victor |date=27 October 2011 |title=Kamalakant Chari in TAG's Meet the Artiste Programme |url=https://tiatracademyofgoa.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210194355/https://tiatracademyofgoa.com/ |archive-date=2011-02-10 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Tiatr Academy of Goa}}</ref>

His prowess in stage setting transcended cultural boundaries, as he left a mark on the [[Marathi theatre|Marathi stage]] as well. Nationally recognized for his set designing and execution, Chari's productions included ''Kalokh Det Hunkar'', ''Junction Bharatpur'', ''Themb Themb Abhal'', ''Swapnavasavdatta'', ''Pratima'', ''Demaiz'', ''Waiting Room'', ''Natasamrat'', ''Sandhya Chaya'', ''Kulavadhu'', and ''Naganand''. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Chari dedicated himself to public service, serving as a ''panch'' (member) in the [[Merces, Goa|Merces]] [[village panchayat]] for a complete term from 1979 to 1983.<ref name=":0" /> Testament to his work and skill, Chari's collaboration with Prince Jacob's Production endured for a span of 28 years, starting around the year 1985.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-04-04 |title=Tiatr's princely showman |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/tiatrs-princely-showman/articleshow/19369803.cms?_gl=1*1gg21g1*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcxMzQyOTcxMS4xODIuMC4xNzEzNDI5NzExLjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.173412579.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Chari's influence extended to other ''tiatr'' productions as well. He contributed his stage design skills to Augie D'Mello and [[Anil Kumar (actor)|Anil Kumar]]'s ''tiatr lxob'' (2009),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-10-10 |title=A punch at Goans' hypocritical attitude |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/a-punch-at-goans-hypocritical-attitude/articleshow/5108619.cms?_gl=1*1oz3vnn*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcxMzQzMzkwNC4xODMuMC4xNzEzNDMzOTY5LjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.138761459.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Joaquim Dias's ''tiatr Asha'' (2011),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-11 |title='Asha' revolves around an inter-religious love story |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/asha-revolves-around-an-inter-religious-love-story/articleshow/10686373.cms?_gl=1*1exhtkx*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcxMzQzMzkwNC4xODMuMC4xNzEzNDMzOTA3LjU3LjAuMA..#_ga=2.138761459.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419033411/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/asha-revolves-around-an-inter-religious-love-story/articleshow/10686373.cms?_gl=1%2A1exhtkx%2A_ga%2AYW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.%2A_ga_FCN624MN68%2AMTcxMzQzMzkwNC4xODMuMC4xNzEzNDMzOTA3LjU3LjAuMA..#_ga=2.138761459.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Salvador Fernandes's ''tiatr Thank You Doctor'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-09 |title='Thank You Doctor' is a love story |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/thank-you-doctor-is-a-love-story/articleshow/10660807.cms?_gl=1*xtr3jj*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcxMzQzMzkwNC4xODMuMC4xNzEzNDMzOTA0LjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.138376560.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419033414/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/thank-you-doctor-is-a-love-story/articleshow/10660807.cms?_gl=1%2Axtr3jj%2A_ga%2AYW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.%2A_ga_FCN624MN68%2AMTcxMzQzMzkwNC4xODMuMC4xNzEzNDMzOTA0LjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.138376560.1718014432.1713421500-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
On 23 April 1979, Chari, aged 37, entered into matrimony with Bebi Babu Zo, a 28-year-old [[homemaker]] from [[Agaçaim]]. The couple underwent the process of [[civil marriage]] registration in [[Panaji]], with Chari asserting his birthplace as [[Merces, Goa]],<ref name=":2" /> despite the discrepancy with his birth certificate stating [[Parcem]].<ref name=":3" /> Their son Kapil (born 1981), would later embark on a career as a [[stage designer]] in the realm of [[Konkani language|Konkani]] theater. Following the death of his father, Kapil embraced the responsibility of upholding and advancing his father's artistic legacy. He directed his focus towards [[stage set]]s, dedicating himself to the family business while eschewing involvement in the realms of decorations and [[Sound reinforcement system|sound system]]s. Chari, known for his proficiency in carpentry and painting curtains, was characterized by his strong work ethic, as he exhibited a greater inclination towards diligent labor rather than entrepreneurial pursuits.<ref name=":1" />

On 1 May 2014, Chari, aged 71, died at [[Goa Medical College]] in [[Bambolim]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2014 |title=Directorate of planning, statistics and evaluation and office of the chief registrar of births and deaths |url=https://rbd.goa.gov.in/Certificate/DeathCertificate.aspx#aSearch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123154022/https://rbd.goa.gov.in/ErrorPage/500.htm?aspxerrorpath=/Certificate/DeathCertificate.aspx#aSearch |archive-date=23 January 2024 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=Goa Online}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chari, Kamlakant}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Tiatrists]]
[[Category:People from North Goa district]]
[[Category:Indian scenic designers]]

Kamlakant Chari - Revision history

Bpk at 20:44, 14 March 2026