Senior actor-painter Ambar Kothare passes away at the age of 96

By Jyothi Venkatesh

The veteran painter, actor theater, and film producer Ambar Kothare (age 96) passed away yesterday due to old age in Mumbai. Mr. Kothare ‘s body was cremated in a crematorium at Borivali. He is survived by his wife Jenma son and famous producer-director Mahesh Kothare and grandson Adinath Kothare.

Ambar Kothare was born on 14 April 1926 in Mumbai. His childhood was very tough. Kothare had to do different jobs as the financial situation of the house was very bad. He also worked selling camels on the street in Girgaon during Diwali for some time. After completing his education, he got a job at the British Bank of the Middle East. He worked in different positions in this bank for almost four decades. He also got the opportunity to represent this bank on behalf of India. Ambar Kothare is a multi-colored personality. While maintaining his job, he also cultivated his passion for theatre. and worked on experimental theater for a long time.

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Mr. Ambar was the first secretary of the Marathi department of the organization ‘Indian National Theatre’ (INT). He presented many plays on stage through this organization. He had performed hundreds of experiments of the play ‘Zopi Gele Sesa Jala’. He also acted in some plays. His role in the play ‘Zunjarrao’ was a special favorite of the audience. Ambar Kothare also produced great plays. Kothare invited famous writer Datta Bhat from Nashik to Mumbai to write this play. Ambar Kothare also acted in this play along with Dutta Bhat.

Ambar Kothare contributed a lot to the blossoming of his son and actor-producer-director Mahesh Kothare as a child actor and over time as a producer-director. Ambar Kothare helped his son Mahesh Kothare to launch his production – directorial debut ‘ Dhumdhadaka ‘, Ambar Kothare had worked hard to make it the best it could be. After that, he was actively involved in every film of Mahesh Kothare. In the movie ‘De Danadan’, Ambar Kothare played the character of the villain very powerfully. After that, he also played different roles in some important works directed by Mahesh Kothare.