Draft:Mena Gurjari (Play)
| Mena Gurjari | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Rasiklal Parikh[1] |
| Characters |
|
| Original language | Gujarati |
Mena Gurjari (Gujarati: મેનાં ગુજરી) is a Gujarati play, written by Rasiklal Parikh. It starred Dina Pathak in lead role. It was produced by Natmandal in 1953.[2]
Background[edit]
Mena Gurjari is a musical play written by Rasiklal Parikh[3] in Bhavai folk form. It is considered a landmark in Gujarati theatre and become popular among both scholars and the public.[4][5] It was first published in 'Prasthan' monthly magazine in 1930[1] and later adopted by the Natmandal,[3] a theatre school operated by Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. The central theme of the play is derived from popular folklore Bhavai Garba.[1] It was directed by Jaishankar 'Sundari'[6] which he synthesized Bhavai and Beijing Opera.[7]
Plot[edit]
Mena, belonging to the Gurjar community, is married to Kunwar Chandaji Thakor in Garhgokul. Once on the way to sell butter, seeing the Sultan's camp on the way, she goes to see the Sultan inspired by curiosity. The king is attracted by her form and takes her captive. Mena is freed from the captivity of sultan by her husband, brother-in-law Hiraji and Gurjar villagers and brought back. But Mena's mother-in-law does not accept her. She keeps taunting her. The self-respecting Mena leaves the house with this insult and merges at the feet of goddess at Pavagadh.[8] This folk tale is the story of the valour of the Gurjar caste and expresses the glory of affection, dedication, self-respect and chastity in a woman's heart.[1]
Reception[edit]
Mena Gurjari in Bhavai folk theatre style, ran successfully for many years.[9][10] The audience queued up to watch the play and the lead Dina Pathak in Mena Gurjari.[9]
In 1957, it was performed in front of then-President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi and became the first and the only Gujarati play to have achieved the feat so far.[11]
Characters[edit]
Principal characters are:[8]
- Dina Pathak as Mena[12]
- Rupa
- Shobha
- Amthikaki
- Sasu
- Shahjado
- Pransukh Nayak as Brahmin[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Raghuvanshi, Harish. "મેનાં ગુજરી (ગુર્જરી)". Gujarati Vishwakosh.
- ^ Choksi, Mahesh; Somani, Dhirendra, eds. (2004). ગુજરાતી રંગભૂમિ: રિદ્ધિ અને રોનક (Gujarati Rangbhoomi: Riddhi Ane Ronak) [Compilation of Information regarding professional theatre of Gujarat] (1st ed.). Ahmedabad: Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust. p. 437.
- ^ a b K. M. George, ed. (1997). Masterpieces of Indian literature. Vol. 1. New Delhi: National Book Trust. p. 360. ISBN 978-81-237-1978-8. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ National Centre for the Performing Arts (India) (1983). Quarterly Journal. Vol. 12–13. p. 50. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ Lal, Mohan (2007). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Navaratri-Sarvasena. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 3094. ISBN 978-81-260-1003-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ignored ISBN errors (link) - ^ Thakar, Dhirubhai; Baradi, Hasmukh (2002). નાટક દેશવિદેશમા : સ્વરૂપ, પ્રકાર અને પ્રયોગ Natak Deshvideshman : Svarup, Prakar Ane Prayog [Natak Deshvideshman : A Treatise on Drama and Theatre Art] (in Gujarati) (1st ed.). Ahmedabad: Gujarat Vishwkosh Trust. p. 219.
- ^ Lal, Ananda (2004). The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001. ISBN 9780195644463 – via Oxford Reference.
- ^ a b Parikh, Rasiklal. "મેનાં ગુર્જરી". ekatrafoundation.org. Ekatra Foundation. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b "From Gujarat with grace". The Tribune. 11 June 2006.
- ^ Brandon, James R.; Martin Banham (1997). The Cambridge guide to Asian theatre. Cambridge University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-521-58822-5.
- ^ "Reliving the past of Gujarati Rangbhoomi". The Times of India. 27 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Atray Banan, Aastha. "A record of her craft". mid-day.com. Retrieved 17 May 2024.