Senior theater director, actor and producer Vijaya MehtaOne of the most influential figures in modern Marathi theater died on Tuesday at the age of 91. She breathed her last at her residence, leaving behind a rich legacy that changed the face of Indian drama.Mehta, who was fondly known as “White” in the theater world, and whose death has cast a pall over the world of Marathi film and theater, is remembered by artists and admirers as a pioneering force in redefining stagecraft and storytelling.
Pioneer of Marathi Experimental Theater
Mehta was born Vijaya Jaywant on November 4, 1934, in Vadodara (now Vadodara), Gujarat. He graduated from the University of Bombay where he studied under legendary theater practitioners Ebrahim Alkazi and Adi Marzban. Her rigorous grounding in theater later helped shape one of the most important artistic movements in post-independence India.In the 1960s, she co-founded the pioneering theater group Rangayan with playwright Vijay Tendulkar and actors Shriram Lagoo and Arvind Deshpande. The group became the driving force behind the experimental theater movement in Maharashtra, challenging traditional commercial theater and introducing bold contemporary narratives.
The landmark work that transformed Indian theater
Mehta’s stage adaptation of CT Khanolkar’s Ek Shoonya Bajirao is widely considered a landmark in contemporary Indian theatre. She also introduced the work of Bertolt Brecht to Marathi audiences through her critically acclaimed adaptation of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Ajab Nyay Vartulacha. Her productions of “Barrister”, “Shakuntal”, “Hamidabaichi Kothi” and “Mother” are known for their innovation and artistic depth.Her contributions transcend India and help introduce Indian theater to a wider global audience through collaborations with international artists on Indo-German theater projects.
Critically acclaimed works in the film industry
While theater remains her first love, Vijaya Mehta also had a lasting impact on Indian parallel cinema. She starred in critically acclaimed films like “Kalyug” and “Party” and won critical acclaim for her performance.As a filmmaker, her notable works include Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both of which are considered significant contributions to the parallel cinema movement in India.
An award-winning career
In a career that spanned more than six decades, Mehta received numerous honors. In 1975, she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Director’s Award and later the META Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian theatre. She was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1986, the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Rao Saheb, the Asia Pacific Film Festival Best Actress Award for Party, and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Tagore Ratna Award in 2012.