Mena Gurjari (play)

Mena Gurjari
Original languageGujarati
Written byRasiklal Parikh[1]
Characters
  • Mena
  • Rupa
  • Shobha
  • Amthikaki
  • Sasu
  • Shahjado
  • Brahmin
First publication1930
Genremusical folk play

Mena Gurjari (Gujarati: મેનાં ગુજરી) is a Gujarati musical folk play by Indian playwright Rasiklal Parikh. Based on the folk legend and written in folk theatre style of Bhavai, the play is regarded as one of the most influential works in modern Gujarati theatre.

Background

Parikh adapted the traditional folk legend of Mena Gurjari into a musical play in the Bhavai tradition of Gujarati folk theatre.[2] The play combines elements of folk music, dance, and drama. It was first published in the Gujarati literary journal Prasthan[3][1] and was later staged by Natmandal,[2] a theatre school operated by Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. The original production was directed by Jaishankar 'Sundari'.[4]

Characters

Principal characters are:[5]

  • Mena Gurjari - a woman belonging to the Gurjar community of Mandavgarh, married to Kunwar Chandaji Thakor of Gokulgarh.[6]
  • Rupa - a villager and friend of Mena
  • Shobha - a villager and friend of Mena
  • Amthikaki - an elder lady from the village
  • Shahjado - a prince from the Sultan's camp
  • Hiro - brother-in-law of Mena
  • Brahmin - a villager
  • Sasu - mother-in-law of Mena

Plot

Mena, a woman of the Gurjar community from Mandavgarh, is married to Kunwar Chandaji Thakor of Gokulgarh.[6] While on her way to sell butter, she notices the Sultan's camp and, out of curiosity, goes to see it. The Sultan is captivated by her beauty and takes her captive. Mena is rescued by her husband, her brother-in-law Hiraji, and fellow Gurjar villagers and brought back home. However, her mother-in-law refuses to accept her and continues to taunt her.[3] Unable to bear the humiliation, the self-respecting Mena leaves home and merges at the feet of the goddess at Pavagadh.[5]

Performance history

The play was adapted for the stage by Natmandal[4], an amateur theatre troupe associated with the theatre school of Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, in 1953.[2][7] According to theatre scholar Hasmukh Baradi, director Jaishankar 'Sundari' combined his grounding in Bhavai with Dina Pathak's experience of watching Chinese opera to create a music and dance oriented production.[8]

The original cast included Dina Pathak as Mena, Prabhabahen Pathak as Amthikaki, Kailash Pandya as Shahjado, and Pransukh Nayak as the Brahmin.[9][1][3][8][10] It ran successfully for many years drawing large audience.[11][12] Music composed by Rasiklal Bhojak contributed to the production's popularity.[8] Playback singing for the character of Mena was provided by Daksha Mehta (Madiya). The production combined drama, music, dance, and folk performance traditions in an innovative theatrical format, helping bring Gujarati folklore to the modern stage. Its success extended beyond Ahmedabad, earning recognition in Surat, Mumbai, and Delhi.[1]

In 1957, the play was staged at the Rashtrapati Bhavan[13] during the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.[9] It was also staged to entertain delegates attending a UNESCO conference.[13]

Following its initial success, Mena Gurjari was revived on several occasions. In 1960, Jashwant Thaker directed revival performances at H. K. Arts College, Ahmedabad.[1]

Reception

The play is regarded as a landmark work in Gujarati theatre and gained popularity among both scholars and general audiences.[14][15]

Adaptations

A Hindi adaptation was later produced by Bharat Dave under the auspices of the National School of Drama. It starred Uttara Baokar, Surekha Sikri and Anang Desai.[1][16][17] Saroop Dhruv subsequently created a new Gujarati adaptation of the work, contributing to its continued presence in Gujarati theatre.[1]

The popularity of the story led to its adaptations in other media. In 1975, the Gujarati film Mena Gurjari was released, directed by Dinesh Raval and starring Mallika Sarabhai in the lead role.[18] The film was based on the same folk legend and became commercially successful.[19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nayak, Chinubhai; Madiya, Amitabh; Choksi, Mahesh. "મેનાં ગુજરી (ગુર્જરી)". Gujarati Vishwakosh.
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. 1 2 3 Vyas, Satish. Gujarati Natak (2nd ed.). Ahmedabad: Parshva Publication. p. 360. ISBN 978-93-5108-845-5.
  4. 1 2 Thakar, Dhirubhai; Baradi, Hasmukh (2002). નાટક દેશવિદેશમાં : 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.
  5. 1 2 Parikh, Rasiklal (8 June 2022). "મેનાં ગુર્જરી". ekatrafoundation.org. Ekatra Foundation. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  6. 1 2 Swati Joshi (2009). "History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization". Mapping a history of consciousness: Gujarati Folk Theatre (Vol XIV Part 4 ed.). Centre for Studies in Civilizations. pp. 367–368. ISBN 978-81-317-1818-6. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Lal, Ananda (2004). The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001. ISBN 9780195644463. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2024 – via Oxford Reference.
  8. 1 2 3 Baradi, Hasmukh. ગુજરાતી થિયેટરનો ઇતિહાસ [History of Gujarati Theatre]. New Delhi: National Book Trust, India. p. 174. ISBN 81-237-1995-7.
  9. 1 2 Choksi, Mahesh; Somani, Dhirendra, eds. (2004). ગુજરાતી રંગભૂમિ: રિદ્ધિ અને રોનક (Gujarati Rangbhoomi: Riddhi Ane Ronak) [Compilation of Information regarding professional theatre of Gujarat] (PDF) (1st ed.). Ahmedabad: Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust. p. 437.
  10. ↑ Atray Banan, Aastha. "A record of her craft". mid-day.com. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  11. ↑ "From Gujarat with grace". The Tribune. 11 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Brandon, James R.; Martin Banham (1997). The Cambridge guide to Asian theatre. Cambridge University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-521-58822-5.
  13. 1 2 Rasika-bhāratī : Prof. R.C. Parikh Commemoration Volume (1st ed.). Sanskrit Sahitya Akademi. 2005. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  14. ↑ National Centre for the Performing Arts (India) (1983). Quarterly Journal. Vol. 12–13. p. 50. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  15. ↑ Lal, Mohan (2007). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Navaratri-Sarvasena. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 3094. ISBN 978-81-260-1003-5.
  16. ↑ "Obit/Tribute - Bharat Dave carved a niche for himself in theatre - Dr. S.D. Desai". narthaki.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Film and theatre actress Uttara Baokar passes away at 79". Mid-day. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Raghuvasnhi, Harish (March 1995). ગુજરાતી ફિલ્મ ગીતકોશ (૧૯૩૨ – ૧૯૯૪) [Gujarati Film Geet Kosh (1932 – 1994)] (First ed.). Surat: Harish Raghuvanshi. p. 94-95.
  19. ↑ Raghuvanshi, Harish. "રાવળ, દિનેશ". Gujarati Vishwakosh.

Further reading

  • Rang Yatra: Twenty-five Years of the National School of Drama Repertory Company. New Delhi, India: National School of Drama, 1992. 2008. p. 284.
  • Parikh, Rasiklal (1 April 2011). Mena Gujari (Reprint ed.). Ahmedabad: Gurjar Granthratna Karyalay. p. 106. ISBN 978-81-8480-513-0.
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