Compilation of five classic Marathi plays in Braille script released

“The collection of plays written in Braille will be distributed in all the blind schools across the state free of cost,” said Pethe,who has been working on the idea for over six months. “It was a long process. I wish to compile the remaining seven plays in Braille script by the end of next year,” he added.

The schools for the visually-challenged can make hard copies of the CDs for their students. “It was difficult to find sponsorship to print the hard copies in Braille. So we thought of producing soft copies in the CD format,” said Pethe. The CD will also be available on the website,www.blindschool.org,for free download. “We will organise a feedback session with Pethe once our students complete the Braille books,” said Rajni Indulkar,secretary,Poona School and Home for the Blind (Girls).

A brief rendezvous with a visually-challenged dholki player Ram Bhau from Jalna was the inspiration behind Pethe’s concept. “I was moved when I was informed about his death. It is then that I decided to make the Marathi classics available to this section of society,”Pethe said.

Saroj Tole of Fulora Braille Prakashan assisted Pethe in typing and translation. “Theatre forms a very significant part of Marathi literature. I feel privileged to reach out to the visually-challenged through this collection,”said Tole. “We seldom get an opportunity to help these young people who have a tremendous thirst for knowledge,” he added. The California Arts Association,United States,contributed Rs 25,000 to Fulora Prakashan for the related costs.