Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta | |
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| Born | (1901-04-06)6 April 1901 |
| Died | 4 May 1991(1991-05-04) (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Playwright, critic, autobiographer, poet, broadcaster, travel writer |
| Language | Gujarati |
| Education | B. A. |
| Notable works | Natya Gathariyan |
| Notable awards |
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| Spouse | |
Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta (6 April 1901 – 4 May 1991), popularly known asC. C. Mehta orChan. Chi. Mehta,[1] was aGujarati playwright, theatre critic, bibliographer, poet, story writer, autobiographer, travel writer and broadcaster fromVadodara,Gujarat, India.
Chandravadan Mehta was born on 6 April 1901 inSurat.[1][2] His primary education was inVadodara and secondary education in Surat.[1] He matriculated in 1919 and completedB. A. in Gujarati from theElphinstone College,Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1924. In 1928, he joinedMahatma Gandhi in theBardoli Satyagraha. He also joinedNavbharat daily as an editor in 1928. From 1933 to 1936, he taught at New Era High School, Mumbai.[1][3][2]
He joined theAll India Radio (AIR)-Bombay in 1938 and became the director of AIR-Ahmedabad in 1954. During his tenure, he developed the broadcasting culture in Gujarat, wrote and produced several radio plays and documentaries with directors like Adi Marzban and others.[2] After retirement, he was associated with the performing arts departments of theMaharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and theGujarat Vidyapith.[1][3] He pioneered the theatre education in India and started diploma and degree courses in theatre in the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. He represented India in the international theatre fora.[2]
He married Vilas in 1925. They divorced in 1938.[4] He died on 4 May 1991.[2][4]
Mehta is considered as the pioneer of the modernGujarati theatre.[2] His plays are focused on the stagecraft which has diversity of subjects including tragedy, comedy, satire as well as historical, social, mythological, biographical plays.[1]
In early 1920, he presented two unscripted soliloquies which created a stir. He criticized and led a protest against the depiction of women inCollege Kanya (College Girl, 1925), a play produced by theMumbai Gujarati Natak Mandali.[2]
Mehta wrote over 25 plays, numerousone-act plays and radio plays.[5] He, along with his friends, wrote and produced several realistic plays such asAkho (1927),Agagadi (1933, translated asIron Road in 1970),Narmad (1937) andDhara Gurjari (Land of Gujarat, 1944, published 1968).[2]Aagagadi, about an ailing fireman, marked the rise of amateur theatre movement in theGujarati theatre.[6][7][3] His other published plays includeMungi Stree (1927),Akho, Varvahu ane Bija Natako (1933),Ramakadani Dukan (1934),Nagabava (1937),Premnu Moti Ane Bija Natako (1937),Sita (1943),Mazamrat (Dark Mindnight, 1955),Hololika (1956, published 1957) andSavitri- a dramatization ofSri Aurobindo'sSavitri.Hololika, written in format ofBhavai, a traditional Gujarati theatre form, is a satire on the corrupt judicial system.[2][8] He also published following plays:Shikharini (1946),Panjarapol (1947),Mena Popat Athva Hathighoda (1951),Rangbhandar (1953),Sonavatakdi (1955),Madira (Media) (1955),Kishor Natako Part 1-2 (1956),Kapoorno Deevo (1960),Param Maheshwar (1960),Sati (1960),Karoliyanu Jalu (1961),Shakuntala Athva Kanyaviday (1966),Andar Andar (1969),Abola Rani (1972),Santakukadi (1972),Chandravadan Mehtana Pratinidhi Ekankio (1974),Antar-Bahir Ane Bija Natako (1975).[1][2] He extensively wrote on the history of Gujarati theatre and production techniques.[2]
His expertise in theatre and stagecraft as well as his extensive knowledge of international theatre is visible in his works of theatre criticism. He had written eleven works on theatre criticism:Kavishri Nanalalna Natako Ane Akbarshahni Rangbhumi Par Rajuat (1959),Natak Bhajavata (1962),Lyric (1962),Lyric Ane Lagarik (1965),Natyarang (1973),American Theatre (1974),Europe na Deshoni Natyashrishti (1974),Japannu Theatre (1975),Vak (1975),Ekanki: Kyare Kya Ane Keva Uprant Bija Natyavishayak Lekho.[1]
HisBibliography of Stagable Plays in Indian Languages Part 1-2 (1964, 1965) is his work of theatre research which received acclaim for him in the theatre of Europe. It has an extensive list of plays written and staged in India in the 19th and 20th century arranged according to years, writers and characters. It took ten years to prepare this bibliography.[1]
Yamal (1926) is a collection of 14sonnets.Elakavyo (1933) is 35 sonnets including a reprint ofYamal and a series of sonnets fromKanchanjangha.Chandarana (1935) is a collection of children's poetry.Ratan (1937) is a 1636 stanza long narrative poem inPrithvimetre. The poem depicts the sacrifice and death of a sister named Ratan.Rudo Rabari (1940) is his other narrative poem.Chado Re Shikhar Raja Ramna (1975) has 20 poems including unique poems such as "O New York" and "Colloquial Gujarati Kavita".[1]
Khamma Bapu (1950) andVatchakaravo (1967) are his short story collections.Mangalmayi (1975) has three true stories. He also wrote a novelJeevati Putalio.[1]
His prose writings include his twelve-volume autobiographical and travel writings,Gathariyan (Travel Bags) which were in unusual prose and simple language. These volumes areBandh Gathariyan Part 1-2 (1954),Chhod Gathariyan (1956),Safar Gathariyan (1956),Bhamiye Gujarat Na Relpate Na Vate (1962),Rang Gathariyan (1965),Roop Gathariyan (1965),Natya Gathariyan (on theatre, 1971),Antar Gathariyan Part 1-2 (1973),Dhruv Gathariyan (1976) andGanth Gathariyan (1976).[1][2]
His other works includeRadio Roopako,Premno Tant,Navbharatna Bhagyavidhata Sardar Vallabhbhaina Jeevan Par Bar Roopako.[1] Mehta had composed the anthem of theMaharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.[9] He translatedCervantes'sDon Quixote into Gujarati.[3]
In 1960, at Vienna Conference at theInternational Theatre Institute under the aegis ofUNESCO, he moved a resolution to celebrate 27 March, as theWorld Theatre Day.[10] Gujarati writerRaghuveer Chaudhari wrote a play,Trijo Purush, based on his life.[3]
He received theRanjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1936 and theNarmad Suvarna Chandrak in 1942. He rejected theKumar Chandrak awarded to him in 1950. In 1962, he was awarded thePadma Shri by theGovernment of India.[1][3]
He won the 1971Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati language for his autobiographical travelogueNatya Gathariyan.[1][11] He was also awarded theSangeet Natak Akademi Award forplaywriting in Gujarati in 1971.[12] In 1984, he was awarded theSangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour conferred by theSangeet Natak Akademi.[13] He receivedSahitya Gaurav Puraskar for the year 1991.
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| Preceded by | Recipient of theSahitya Akademi Award winners for Gujarati 1971 | Succeeded by |
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