Theatre critic, actor, odd-job man and ticket seller at Prithvi, Baba.

He is as much a part of Prithvi theatre as the Irish coffee and the low granite stools at the theatre cafe. Everyone who goes to see a play there has a hands on interaction with him. Twenty-six-year-old Prabhakar Sathe or Baba, as he is better known, has been selling tickets for theatre groups at Prithvi for the last 15 years. And yet, he is not a staffer. But Baba is happy. He doesn't wish to do anything else a thallasaemic, he knew his career options were limited.

Born opposite the theatre itself in a cottage Prithviraj Kapoor had given to his father -- who still works with Shashi Kapoor in the camera and lights department -- Baba gave up his studies after class 10. He began loitering around the Prithvi theatre when Pardesi, who used to look after the booking office, asked him if he wanted to help. Soon Baba was more or less running the show. Three years later, Pardesi decided to head to the Gulf and Baba decided to take over. And for the last 12 years now, Baba has been selling the tickets of every group at the theatre -- on his own. Over the years, sitting from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm Baba has seen the change in attitude of theatre lovers and of course -- performers. Says he, "Today, you do not get to see plays of the standard of yesteryears. Now, the audience is more keen on comedy. They are not interested in seeing a serious play however good it might be."

But that is not the only thing that has changed for the worse. "Earlier the whole unit used to sit together to drink chai. But now it is very sad to see that actors, lightmen, cameramen and directors sit separately to have their tea."

But that has not affected Baba. He enjoys a good rapport with all the groups. And for the audience, he is their drama critic. They almost never part with their money without his review. And if they don't like the play, they make it a point to tell him off. "They ask me if the play is good or if it is a comedy etc. If I haven't seen the play, then it's difficult to give a snap judgement," he says. An avid theatre-goer himself, Baba now limits his viewings to only the heavily-recommended plays.

Apart from selling tickets, Baba also helps Sanjana Kapoor by acting as a messenger. And for the Kapoor family he would lay down his life. They have paid for his family's education and upbringing. Even today, Sanjna pays all his medical bills which include his blood transfusions every two months and injections that he needs so often. He fondly remembers Jennifer Kapoor wiping dust from the corners of the theatre with a cloth the moment she came across even a speck. "Such was her dedication to theatre," he remembers.

Despite his handicap, this strong-willed young man diligently carries on with his work, managing to find the time to smile at regulars. He also managed to culminate his passion for theatre by acting in three plays with Om Katare's Yatri group -- Ek Tha Gadha, Kasaibada and Arre Natwarlal.And theatre groups recognise his contribution too. Nadira Babbar, at her group Ekjute's fifteenth year anniversary a year ago, gave Baba an award for his invaluable service behind stage.

Baba gets Rs 75 per day from theatre groups and despite Prithvi being shut on Mondays, there are times when Baba can be seen lending a helping hand. It seems that Prithvi is incomplete without his incomparable smile.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.