Jump to content

Manoj Shah

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manoj Shah
Born
Manoj Sakarchand Shah

(1955-02-05)5 February 1955(age 69)
Mumbai,Maharashtra,India
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)theatre director, actor and producer
OrganizationIdeas Unlimited
Notable work
Signature

Manoj Sakarchand Shah(born 5 February 1955) is an Indian theatre director, actor and producer known for his works in theGujarati theatre.He has directed over 90plays,such asone-man playsand biographical plays, in different genres. He is known primarily for his quirky biographical plays which include:Hu Chandrakant Bakshibased on thewriterof the same name,Mohan No Masalobased onMahatma Gandhi,Apurva Avsarbased onJainmysticShrimad Rajchandra,Mareezbased on poetMareez,Jal Jal Mare Patangbased on writer-philosopherManilal Dwivedi,Karl Marx in Kalbadevibased on German philosopherKarl Marx,andDr. Anandibai Joshi: Like, Comment, Sharebased onAnandi Gopal Joshi,India's first female doctor. He produces plays under his theatre company Ideas Unlimited.[citation needed]

His playMohan No Masalowas included in theLimca Book of Recordsfor its performances in three languages (English,HindiandGujarati) in a single day. His biographical dramaMareezhas been playing atPrithvi Theatresince 2004.

Biography

[edit]

Manoj Sakarchand Shah was born on 5 February 1955 inMumbai,India. He studied until the ninth grade at various schools in Mumbai andAhmedabad.He began his career as a dance teacher and then as an actor. He decided to become a theatre director when he watched a play directed by Mahendra Joshi. He was inspired by the works of other theatre directors includingBadal Sircar,Utpal DuttandVijaya Mehta.He debuted as a theatre director with his playMaster Phoolmaniin 1999.[1][2][3]

Works

[edit]

Shah has directed and produced over 90 plays. He produces them under his production company Ideas Unlimited.[4][5]

His style has been considered innovative, and his subjects contributed to bringing a cultural renaissance in Gujarati theatre.[4]His plays dwell on literary and spiritual themes, often featuring solo actors. His protagonists tend to be either people with quirky characters or heroes in unusual circumstances. For example, in one of his plays,Karl Marx in Kalbadevi(2012), he imagines a visit byKarl MarxtoKalbadevi,a chaotic locality in Mumbai.[1]Hisone man playshave the actor soliloquising before the audience. Stagecraft is at a minimum, with the key technique one that consists of an actor interpreting his character role. His texts in this genre, theatre critic Vikram Phukan writes, are notable for their clarity.[6]

His first play wasMaster Phoolmani,which was adapted fromSatish Alekar'sBegum Barve(1979). Scripted by Chandrakant Shah, it was first staged in 1999 atHorniman Circle Gardens,Mumbai, during thePrithvi Theatre Festival.[7]The play is a tribute to the extinct Gujarati theatre form known as 'Bhangwadi',[a]which was popular for its musical folk performance style. The play revolves around Manilal, who refers to himself by his stage name Phoolmani. Manilal is a 'Bhangwadi' performer who loses his bearings as the tradition fades into obscurity. But he is jolted back to reality by his despotic employer, Vallabhbhai Bhatia, for whom he sells incense and flowers.Master Phoolmanideftly knits together worlds that unfold against backdrops painted by the artistBhupen Khakhar.Master Phoolmanialso integrates some elements from the life ofJaishankar Bhojak,a 20th-century Gujarati theatre actor known for impersonating female characters.[1][8][9][10]Master Phoolmaniwas Shah's longest running production until 2015.[3]

In 2003, he producedGujarat Ni Asmita,amusical dramawhich features 45 actors. It traces the journey ofGujarati poetryfrom the medieval era to the present.[11]In 2004, his biographical playMareezwas produced. The play has been performed more than 200 times since 2012 and has played at thePrithvi Theatresince 2004. Based on the life and works of the mid-twentieth century Gujarati poetMareez,Vinit Shukla adapted it from Mareez's biographyMareez: Astitva Ane Vyaktitvawritten byRaeesh Maniar.Mareez's representation has been influenced byVincent van Gogh's autobiographical workDear TheoandCharles Bukowski's biopicBarfly.[6][12][13]

Apurva Avsar(2007), written by Raju Dave and Shah, is a biographical play aboutShrimad Rajchandra,known as a spiritual guide ofMahatma Gandhi.[14]It focuses on Rajchandra's life from his childhood in a small remote village in Gujarat to his eventual renunciation of all worldly pleasures.[15]Siddh Hem(2008) is based onHemachandra,the IndianJainscholar. Dharmendra Gohil played the lead character.[4]

In 2009, he directed the biographical playJal Jal Mare Patangbased on the life of the 19th-century Gujarati philosopher and writerManilal Dwivedi.[16]Mummy Tu Aavi Kevi(2010) is a children's play written byDhiruben Patel.[17]He directedApoorav Khela(2012), a biographical play on 17th centuryJainmonkAnandghan.[18]

Mahatma Gandhi is the subject ofMohan No Masalo,amonodrama.It starredPratik GandhiasMohandas Gandhi.The play recounts the early days of Mohandas Gandhi in India and South Africa before he came to be known asMahatma.The play portrays Gandhi as a layman with extraordinary means to achieve his ends. It was staged in three languages: Gujarati (Mohan No Masalo), Hindi (Mohan Ka Masala) and English (Mohan's Masala). It premiered on 22 March 2015 at theNational Centre for the Performing Arts(NCPA).Atul Dodiyacreated the play's set and backdrop, which featured images of a young Gandhi in black and white.[19][20][21][22]TheGujarati scriptwas written by Satya Mehta, the Hindi by Mihir Bhuta and Arpit Jain, and the English by Ishan Doshi. It recounts Gandhi's childhood and shows how it shaped his future. It was included in theLimca Book of Recordsfor "Performance of One Play in Multiple Languages in One Day".[23]

In 2013, he produced another biographical drama,Hu Chandrakant Bakshi.Written by Shishir Ramavat, the play focuses on Gujarati writerChandrakant Bakshi(1932–2006). In this production,Pratik Gandhiplayed the lead character.[24]The play, along withMohan No Masalo,helped to solidify Gandhi's reputation as an actor.[25]That year he directedKarl Marx in Kalbadevi.The play puts German philosopherKarl Marxin a hypothetical situation, asking what would happen if he arrived in Kalbadevi, a happening locality in Mumbai, in the present-day. In the production, Satchit Puranik played Marx.[26][27][28]

Popcorn with Parsai(2014) is a biographical solo-act based on Hindi writerHarishankar Parsai.Co-written by Shah and Nilay Upadhyay, it premiered at NCPA on 6 December 2014.[29][30]

Dr. Anandibai Joshi: Like, Comment, Share,a solo performance, premiered in 2017 at NCPA, is a biographical play which features a woman playing the lead for the first time in Shah's one-man plays. Written by Geeta Manek, the play is based on the life ofAnandibai Joshi,India's first female doctor. Manasi Prabhakar Joshi played Anandibai Joshi's role. It asks and answers several questions regarding women's freedom. It was later staged in Hindi and Marathi, and became part ofTheatre Olympics.[31][32][33][34]

Plays

[edit]

List of plays directed by Shah:[2][3]

S.N. Play Year Writer Notes
1 Master Phoolmani 1999 Chandrakant Shah Adapted fromSatish Alekar'sBegum Barve
2 Akho Akha Bolo 2000 Kanti Patel Biographical play about medieval Gujarati poetAkho
3 Savita 2000 Bhupen Khakhar Monologue
4 System 2000 Uttam Gada Monologue
5 Maganlal No Gundar 2000 Bhupen Khakhar
6 Foreign Soap 2000 Bhupen Khakhar
7 Briel 2000 C. C. Mehta Monologue
8 Medea 2000 C. C. Mehta Monologue
9 Mukund Rai 2000 Raju Dave Adaptation ofRamnarayan V. Pathak's eponymous short story
10 Jakshni 2000 Raju Dave Adaptation of Ramnarayan V. Pathak's eponymous short story
11 Idli Orchid Ne Hu 2001 Vitthal Kamat
12 Parpota Na Desh Ma 2001 Raju Dave,Ankit Trivedi Dramatisation ofPanna Naik's poem
13 Varta Kaho Ne – Thigadu 2001 Bharat Naik Adaptation ofSuresh Joshi's eponymous short story
14 Parshchad Bhumika 2001 Phanishwar Nath 'Renu' Dramatised reading forNational Book Trust
15 Trasyo Sangam 2001 Raju Dave Monologue based on Harkisan Mehta's eponymous novel
16 Jagga Dakku 2001 Raju Dave Monologue based on Harkisan Mehta's eponymous novel
17 Bhedbharam 2001 Shishir Ramawat Monologue based on Harkisan Mehta's eponymous novel
18 Sansari Sadhu 2002 Shrikant Gautam Monologue based on Harkisan Mehta's eponymous novel
19 Jad Chetan 2002 Shishir Ramawat Monologue based on Harkisan Mehta's eponymous novel
20 Orange Juice 2002 Uttam Gada Hindi languageplay
21 Mano Mel Te Maitri 2002 Raju Dave Adaptation ofAleksei Arbuzov' play
22 Giras Ma Ek Dungri 2002 Meria Shresh Mitsakaben
23 Raman Bhaman 2003 Ashwini Bhatt
24 Gujarat Ni Asmita 2003 Narsinh Mehta,Meera,Akho,Premanand Bhatt,Dayaram,Dalpatram,Alexander Kinloch Forbes,Narmad,Jhaverchand Meghani,Jivram Joshi
25 Te He Na Devaso 2003 Raju Dave Adaptation of the story byHarivallabh Bhayani
26 Swajan Utsav 2003 Dhiruben Patel,Natwar Gandhi,Mahesh Dave, Pravin Joshi, Nalini Mandgaonkar,Mukul Choksi,Raeesh Maniar,Udayan Thakker,Mukesh Joshi,Ankit Trivedi,Hiten Anandpara, andSuresh Dalal Dramatised presentation of poems
27 Agantuk 2003 Vipul Bhargav Adaptated fromDhiruben Patel's eponymous story
28 Vanechand No Varghodo 2003 Prakash Kapadia Based onShahabuddin Rathod's work
29 Monji Ruder 2003 Vinit Shukla Based onSwami Anand's work
30 Runanubandh 2003 Raju Dave Based on a short story by Pravinsinh Chavda
31 Tribute To Bhupen Khakhar 2004 Bhupen Khakhar
32 Mareez 2004 Vinit Shukla Based on the life and work of mid-twentieth century Gujarati poetMareez
33 Kshemraj Ne Sadhvi 2004 Govardhanram Tripathi
34 Chalte Chalte 2004 Chandrakant Shah
35 Guajarat No Nath 2004 Suren Thaker 'Mehul' Based onK. M. Munshi'seponymous novel
36 Meera 2004 Mihir Bhuta Based onRamesh Parekh's poetry
37 Blue Jeans 2004 A dramatised poem by Chandrakant Shah
38 Bharelo Agani 2004 Manoj Shah Based onR. V. Desai's eponymous novel
39 Mestro Masters Swami 2005 Multiple writers
40 Boom Rang 2005 Raju Dave Based on a story by Nilesh Rana
41 Nami Gaya Te Gami Gaya 2005 Pankaj Trivedi
42 Gamta No Kariea Gulal 2005 Dinkar Joshi,Raju Dave, Satya Mehta Based on works byRamanbhai Neelkanth,Govardhanram Tripathi,Ranjitram Mehta,Jhaverchand Meghani,Narmad,Umashankar Joshi,Harivallabh Bhayani,
43 Janoi Vadh Ghha 2005 Raju Dave, Satya Mehta Based on Ramesh Parekh's poetry
44 Varsad Bhinjve 2006 Raju Dave, Satya Mehta,Ankit Trivedi Based on Ramesh Parekh's poetry
45 Lata Shu Bole 2006 Gulabdas Broker Dramatised reading of Gulabdas Broker's eponymous short story
46 Rajputani 2006 Prakash Kapadia Based onDhumketu's eponymous short story
47 Jher to Pidha Jaani Jaani 2006 Upendra Trivedi Based onManubhai Pancholi's novel
48 Socrates 2006 Kanti Patel Based on Manubhai Pancholi's novel
49 Ame Baraf Na Pankhi 2006 Kanti Madia Based on a work byMarathiwriterVasant Kanetkar
50 Lajo 2007 Paresh Vyas Based on work byIsmat Chughtai
51 Apurva Avsar 2007 Raju Dave, Manoj Shah Biographical play about late 19th-centuryJainmystic and philosopherShrimad Rajchandra
52 Little Bit Gamvanu 2007 Chandrakant Shah
53 Jite Hain Shaan Se 2008 Shishir Ramawat
54 Achlayatan 2008 J. B. Kripalani,Mahadev Desai,Swami Anand Adapted from a work byRabindranath Tagore
55 Atma Gynani 2008 Raju Dave Biographical play aboutDada Bhagwan
56 Siddha Hem 2008 Jonhy Shah
57 Jal Jal Mare Patang 2009 Mihir Bhuta Biographical play about 19th-century Gujarati writerManilal Dwivedi
58 Amarfal 2010 Bharat Naik Based on the legend of kingBharthari
59 Hello Gujarati 2010 Raju Dave, Satya Mehta
60 Mahajan Darshan 2010 Raghuveer Chaudhari,Jayesh Mehta
61 Firewall 2010 Uttam Gada
62 Red Sea 2010 Uttam Gada
63 Mummy Tu Aavi Kevi 2010 Dhiruben Patel
64 Kasper 2011 Chandrakant Shah Monologue
65 New York New York 2011 Chandrakant Shah Monologue
66 Apoorav Khela 2012 Dhanvant Shah Biographical play aboutAnandghan[18]
67 Karl Marx in Kalbadevi 2013 Uttam Gada
68 Hu Chandrakant Bakshi 2013 Shishir Ramavat Monologue; Biographical play about Gujarati writerChandrakant Bakshi
69 Bhamashah 2013 Bipin Doshi, Mihir Bhuta Hindi language play aboutBhamashahandMaharana Pratap
70 Master Madam 2013 Will Johnson, Vijay Pandya, Abhishek Khelkar, Satya Mehta Based on the work by Bodhayana
71 Lakshmi Poojan 2013 Uttam Gada
72 Pappa, No Problem 2014 Hemant Kariya
73 Bhavprapanch 2014 Sidharshi Gani
74 Popcorn with Parsai 2014 Nilay Upadhyay Based on the work by Harishankar Parsai
75 BKP Ni Duniya Rang Rangili & Mahajan 2014 Prayag Dave, Raju Dave
76 Mohan No Masalo 2015 Ishan Doshi, Satya Mehta Biographical play about early life ofMahatma Gandhi
77 Pai Pai 2015 Dhiruben Patel
78 Karl Marx in Kalbadevi 2015 Uttam Gada inHinglish
79 Whats Up? 2015 Uttam Gada Monologue; Social Comedy
80 Mohan's Masala 2016 Ishan Doshi, Satya Mehta Monologue English version ofMohan No Masalo
81 Gathariya 2016 Satya Mehta Story ofChandravadan Mehta(Chan Chi Mehta) Based on a work by Kanti Patel
82 Mohan Ka Masala 2016 Ishan Doshi, Satya Mehta MonologueHindiversion ofMohan No Masalo
83 Kamra Bhabhi No Baraapo 2016 Adhir Amdavadi
84 Margdarshan 2016 Sitanshu Yashaschandra
85 Vrudhshatak 2016 Kamal Vora Dramatised reading of Kamal Vora's poetry
86 Khichadi 2016 Labhshankar Thakar Tribute to Labhshankar Thakar.
87 Sikkani Triji Baju 2016 Naushil Mehta Comic Thriller
88 Dr. Anandibai Joshi: Like, Comment, Share 2017 Geeta Manek Biographical play aboutAnandibai Joshi
89 Kaagdo 2019 Geeta Manek
90 Mitha No Satyagrah 2019 Naushil Mehta
91 Adbhut[35] 2021 Satchit Puranik
92 Mr. Apple 2022 Shishir Ramavat On the relationship ofSteve Jobsand his daughter
93 Bombay Flower 2023 Gita Manek Biographical play aboutRatanbai ‘Ruttie’ Petitwho had marriedMuhammad Ali Jinnah

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^The term 'Bhagwadi' was derived from the Bhangwadi neighborhood inMumbaiwhich was a centre of theatre activities in the early 1870s. Male actors impersonated females then because acting was a social taboo and females could not participate in the theatre. The actors had to speak dialogues loudly so the whole audience could hear it. Music, dance and singing was an integral part of theatre then.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcGahlot, Deepa(12 July 2018)."Think Gujarati act global".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
  2. ^abPandya, Niranjan Harishankar (2018).ગુર્જર સાહિત્ય-કલાનો ઝરૂખો: સંગીત, રંગભૂમિ, ચિત્રપટ, ટીવી, મનોરંજન, લોકકલા ક્ષેત્રમાં નાં કલાકારોનો પરીચય કોશ[Who's Who in Arts of Gujarat] (in Gujarati). Mumbai: N. M. Thakker's Company. pp. 45–46.ISBN978-93-86586-37-7.
  3. ^abcBhatt, Aradhana (September 2020). Doshi, Deepak (ed.). "Manoj Shah: Ek Mulakat"મનોજ શાહ: એક મુલાકાત[Interview with Manoj Shah].Navneet Samarpan(in Gujarati).41(5). Mumbai: P. V. Shankarankutti,Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan:65–72.ISSN2455-4162.
  4. ^abcShah, Manoj."Interview with Manoj Shah"(Interview). Interviewed by Jyoti Vyas. Mumbai Theatre Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2016.
  5. ^Banerjee, Kaushani (7 February 2017)."Manoj Shah takes you behind his 'top class programme' festival".Hindustan Times.Archivedfrom the original on 26 July 2017.Retrieved2 October2020.
  6. ^abPhukan, Vikram (26 June 2019)."Existential parables and tortured souls".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 15 October 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
  7. ^Somaaya, Bhawana(2004).Cinema: Images & Issues.New Delhi: Rupa & Company. p. 54.OCLC607594238.Archivedfrom the original on 16 October 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
  8. ^abKumar, Rinky (30 June 2011)."100 NOT OUT".The Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  9. ^"The TimeOut Mint Planner".Mint.23 June 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 15 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  10. ^"Indians are mad about music".DNA India.3 February 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  11. ^Gahlot, Deepa (4 October 2007)."The more, the merrier! - Mumbai News".The Times of India.Mumbai.Retrieved3 October2020.
  12. ^"Mareez (Gujarati play)".The Indian Express.3 February 2012.Retrieved12 October2020.
  13. ^"Poets translating Poets - Festival".Poets and Speakers - Goethe-Institut.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2020.Retrieved4 October2020.
  14. ^"Manoj Shah's Apurva Avsar today".Mumbai Mirror.19 March 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  15. ^"A Walk in the Woods".The Indian Express.19 July 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 12 October 2020.Retrieved12 October2020.
  16. ^Chakrabarti, Sujata (27 February 2009)."Man for all seasons".DNA India.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved12 October2020.
  17. ^"Prithvi will stage its first Gujarati play for children".Mumbai Mirror.4 May 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
  18. ^ab"નવું નાટક: આજે ઓપન થાય છે: અપૂરવ ખેલા".Gujarati Midday(in Gujarati). 1 April 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 August 2018.Retrieved22 August2018.
  19. ^Bhatt, Vrunda R (25 March 2015). "It's more about Mohaniyo than Mahatma here: Ahead of World Theatre Day on March 27, we look at director Manoj Shah's only character MK Gandhi & Bapu's portrayal in Gujarati theatre".DNA India.
  20. ^Phukan, Vikram (19 August 2016)."Gandhi: a stage favourite".Mint.Archivedfrom the original on 16 October 2020.Retrieved11 October2020.
  21. ^Ahmed, Afshan (5 January 2016)."Manoj Shah's new play discovers the early days of Gandhi, the legend".The National.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  22. ^Singh, Radhika (8 June 2016)."Call Me Mohan".The Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 8 June 2016.Retrieved9 October2020.
  23. ^"Performance of One Play in Multiple Language (One Day)".The Coca-Cola Company.13 November 2018.Retrieved3 October2020.[dead link‍]
  24. ^"A play featuring Chandrakant Bakshi's life opens on 15 June".DeshGujarat.12 June 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 8 October 2020.Retrieved4 October2020.
  25. ^Gahlot, Deepa(13 February 2020)."Monologue is a great learning exercise".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 14 April 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
  26. ^Kumar, Rinky (29 April 2019)."Meet Mr and Mrs Karl Marx in a new play".DNA India.Archivedfrom the original on 31 May 2019.Retrieved9 October2020.
  27. ^Nair, Manoj R (5 February 2014)."A minimalist play takes Marx through Kalbadevi".Hindustan Times.Archivedfrom the original on 12 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  28. ^Das, Soma (20 June 2013)."Is Kalbadevi ready for Karl Marx?".Mid-Day.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2020.Retrieved9 October2020.
  29. ^Lakhe, Amruta (30 November 2014)."Playing out their lives".The Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2015.Retrieved9 October2020.
  30. ^Gupta, Boski (3 December 2014)."With a dash of humour".DNA India.Archivedfrom the original on 25 June 2015.Retrieved24 October2020.
  31. ^Madhavan, Ranjani (10 June 2018)."Lessons for women through story of India's first female doc".The New Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved7 October2020.
  32. ^"A play on Anandibai Joshi makes a Marathi debut".The Times of India.19 May 2018.Retrieved7 October2020.
  33. ^Phukan, Vikram (26 May 2018)."The trailblazing Dr Anandibai".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 20 October 2020.Retrieved7 October2020.
  34. ^Pawar, Yogesh (27 November 2017)."A play to celebrate life and times of one of the first female doctors of India, Dr Anandibai Joshi".DNA India.Retrieved9 October2020.
  35. ^"Things to do in Ahmedabad this weekend".Ahmedabad Mirror.30 September 2021.Retrieved14 October2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manoj_Shah&oldid=1262049064"