ChristenaMcGraw at 15:38, 3 July 2025

2025-07-03T15:38:20Z

New page

{{Short description|Gujarati playwright and critic (1901–1991)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta
| image = ChandravadanMehtaPic.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1901|04|06}}
| birth_place = [[Surat]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1991|05|04|1901|04|06}}
| occupation = Playwright, critic, autobiographer, poet, broadcaster, travel writer
| language = Gujarati
| nationality =
| education = [[Bachelor of Arts|B. A.]]
| notableworks = ''Natya Gathariyan''
| spouse = {{marriage |Vilas |1925 |1938 |end=divorced}}
| awards = {{plainlist|
* [[Padma Shri]] (1962)
* [[Sahitya Academy Award]] (1971)
* [[List of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellows|Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] (1984)}}
}}
'''Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta''' (6 April 1901 – 4 May 1991), popularly known as '''C. C. Mehta''' or '''Chan. Chi. Mehta''',<ref name="gsp"/> was a [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] playwright, theatre critic, bibliographer, poet, story writer, autobiographer, travel writer and broadcaster from [[Vadodara]], [[Gujarat]], India.

==Biography==
Chandravadan Mehta was born on 6 April 1901 in [[Surat]].<ref name="gsp">{{cite web|url=http://gujaratisahityaparishad.com/prakashan/sarjako/savishesh/Savishesh-Cha-Chi-Mehta.html|title=ચંદ્રવદન મહેતા|last=Topiwala|first=Chandrakant|author-link=Chandrakant Topiwala|publisher=[[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]|language=gu|trans-title=Chandravadan Mehta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107002845/http://gujaratisahityaparishad.com/prakashan/sarjako/savishesh/Savishesh-Cha-Chi-Mehta.html|archive-date=7 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="ox">{{Cite book|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001/acref-9780195644463-e-0351|title=The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre|last=Lal|first=Ananda|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2004|isbn=9780199861248|location=New Delhi|oclc=607157336|via=Oxford Reference|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612054215/http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001/acref-9780195644463-e-0351|archive-date=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His primary education was in [[Vadodara]] and secondary education in Surat.<ref name="gsp"/> He matriculated in 1919 and completed [[Bachelor of Arts|B. A.]] in Gujarati from the [[Elphinstone College]], [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai) in 1924. In 1928, he joined [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in the [[Bardoli Satyagraha]]. He also joined ''Navbharat'' daily as an editor in 1928. From 1933 to 1936, he taught at New Era High School, Mumbai.<ref name="gsp"/><ref name="Te2003"/><ref name="ox"/>

He joined the [[All 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.<ref name="ox"/> After retirement, he was associated with the performing arts departments of the [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]] and the [[Gujarat Vidyapith]].<ref name="gsp"/><ref name="Te2003"/> 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.<ref name="ox"/>

He married Vilas in 1925. They divorced in 1938.<ref name=":0">{{cite thesis|last=Patel|first=Kanaiyalal L.|title=નાટ્યકાર ક. મા. મુનશી અને ચંદ્રવદન ચી મહેતાના સામાજિક નાટકોનો વિશ્લેષણાત્મક અભ્યાસ|date=31 July 1999|degree=Ph. D.|publisher=Department of Gujarati, [[Gujarat University]]|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/47093|language=gu|trans-title=Analytical Study of the Social Plays Written by K. M. Munshi and C. C. Mehta|type=Ph.D|location=Ahmedabad|page=173, Appendix p. 9|hdl=10603/47093 }}</ref> He died on 4 May 1991.<ref name="ox"/><ref name=":0" />

==Works==
Mehta is considered as the pioneer of the modern [[Gujarati theatre]].<ref name="ox"/> His plays are focused on the stagecraft which has diversity of subjects including tragedy, comedy, satire as well as historical, social, mythological, biographical plays.<ref name="gsp"/>
;Theatre and plays
In early 1920, he presented two unscripted soliloquies which created a stir. He criticized and led a protest against the depiction of women in ''College Kanya'' (College Girl, 1925), a play produced by the [[Mumbai Gujarati Natak Mandali]].<ref name="ox"/>

Mehta wrote over 25 plays, numerous [[one-act play]]s and radio plays.<ref name="George1992">{{cite book|author=K. M. George|title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Plays and prose|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTXougCB-NMC&pg=PA179|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-783-5|page=179|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612054215/https://books.google.com/books?id=eTXougCB-NMC&pg=PA179|archive-date=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He, along with his friends, wrote and produced several realistic plays such as ''Akho'' (1927), ''Agagadi'' (1933, translated as ''Iron Road'' in 1970), ''Narmad'' (1937) and ''Dhara Gurjari'' (Land of Gujarat, 1944, published 1968).<ref name="ox"/> ''Aagagadi'', about an ailing fireman, marked the rise of amateur theatre movement in the [[Gujarati theatre]].<ref name="HochmanStaff1984">{{cite book|author1=Stanley Hochman|author2=McGraw-Hill Staff|title=McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama: An International Reference Work in 5 Volumes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zo5os6d0rvMC&pg=PA38|year=1984|publisher=VNR AG|isbn=978-0-07-079169-5|page=38}}</ref><ref name="Chambers2006">{{cite book|author=Colin Chambers|title=Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cFlFhuVMFGQC&pg=PA382|date=14 May 2006|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-1-84714-001-2|page=382|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612054215/https://books.google.com/books?id=cFlFhuVMFGQC&pg=PA382|archive-date=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Te2003">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbLPU10RFUYC&pg=PA100|title=C. C. Mehta|author=Shailesh Tevani|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=2003|isbn=978-81-260-1676-1|series=Makers of Indian Literature|pages=50, 87, 92|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612054215/https://books.google.com/books?id=AbLPU10RFUYC&pg=PA100|archive-date=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His other published plays include ''Mungi 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) and ''Savitri''- a dramatization of [[Sri Aurobindo]]'s ''[[Savitri (book)|Savitri]]''. ''Hololika'', written in format of [[Bhavai]], a traditional Gujarati theatre form, is a satire on the corrupt judicial system.<ref name="ox"/><ref name=IndianLiterature2016>{{cite journal |title=25th Death Anniversary Tribute |date=November–December 2016 |journal=[[Indian Literature (journal)|Indian Literature]] |volume=60 |issue=6 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |location=New Delhi |page=164 |issn=0019-5804 |jstor=44754733}} {{closed access}}</ref> 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).<ref name="gsp"/><ref name="ox"/> He extensively wrote on the history of Gujarati theatre and production techniques.<ref name="ox"/>
;Theatre criticism
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''.<ref name="gsp" />

;Theatre bibliography
His ''Bibliography 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.<ref name="gsp"/>

;Poetry
''Yamal'' (1926) is a collection of 14 [[sonnet]]s. ''Elakavyo'' (1933) is 35 sonnets including a reprint of ''Yamal'' and a series of sonnets from ''Kanchanjangha''. ''Chandarana'' (1935) is a collection of children's poetry. ''Ratan'' (1937) is a 1636 stanza long narrative poem in ''Prithvi'' [[metre (poetry)|metre]]. 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".<ref name="gsp"/>
;Stories
''Khamma Bapu'' (1950) and ''Vatchakaravo'' (1967) are his short story collections. ''Mangalmayi'' (1975) has three true stories. He also wrote a novel ''Jeevati Putalio''.<ref name="gsp"/>

;Prose
His prose writings include his twelve-volume autobiographical and travel writings, ''Gathariyan'' (Travel Bags) which were in unusual prose and simple language. These volumes are ''Bandh 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) and ''Ganth Gathariyan'' (1976).<ref name="gsp"/><ref name="ox"/>
;Other works
His other works include ''Radio Roopako'', ''Premno Tant'', ''Navbharatna Bhagyavidhata Sardar Vallabhbhaina Jeevan Par Bar Roopako''.<ref name="gsp"/> Mehta had composed the anthem of the [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.historyofvadodara.in/msu-song/|title=MSU Song {{!}} History of Vadodara - Baroda|date=2016-03-11|work=History of Vadodara - Baroda|access-date=2018-06-11|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031052234/http://www.historyofvadodara.in/msu-song/|archive-date=31 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He translated [[Miguel de Cervantes|Cervantes]]'s ''[[Don Quixote]]'' into Gujarati.<ref name="Te2003"/>

==Legacy==
[[File:Chandravadan Mehta Marg - Vadodara - Gujarat 001.jpg|thumb|Chandravadan Mehta Marg - Vadodara]]
In 1960, at Vienna Conference at the [[International Theatre Institute]] under the aegis of [[UNESCO]], he moved a resolution to celebrate 27 March, as the [[World Theatre Day]].<ref name=toi13>{{cite news |title=First Gujarati theatre group came up in 1878 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/First-Gujarati-theatre-group-came-up-in-1878/articleshow/19233276.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615174329/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-27/ahmedabad/38069685_1_parsi-theatre-first-gujarati-world-theatre-day |url-status=live |archive-date=15 June 2013 |date=27 March 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> Gujarati writer [[Raghuveer Chaudhari]] wrote a play, ''Trijo Purush'', based on his life.<ref name="Te2003" />

==Awards==
He received the [[Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]] in 1936 and the [[Narmad Suvarna Chandrak]] in 1942. He rejected the [[Kumar Chandrak]] awarded to him in 1950. In 1962, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India]].<ref name="gsp"/><ref name="Te2003"/>

He won the 1971 [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Gujarati|Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati language]] for his autobiographical travelogue ''Natya Gathariyan''.<ref name="gsp"/><ref name=sahitya>{{cite web | url=http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10318.htm#gujarati | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331234109/http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10318.htm#gujarati | archive-date=31 March 2009 | title=Sanskrit Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955-2007 | publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] Official website | url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also awarded the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] for [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award#Playwriting|playwriting in Gujarati]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm |title=SNA: List of Akademi Awardees |publisher=[[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] Official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217185616/http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}</ref> In 1984, he was awarded the [[List of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellows|Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]], the highest honour conferred by the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/fellowslist.htm |title=SNA: List of Sangeet Natak Akademi ''Ratna Puraskar''winners (Akademi Fellows) |publisher=Official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023617/http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/fellowslist.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> He received [[Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar]] for the year 1991.

==See also==
* [[List of Gujarati-language writers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Gujarati Vishwakosh}}
* {{Gbooks-author|Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-bef | before = [[Nagindas Parekh]]}}
{{s-ttl | title = Recipient of the [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Gujarati|Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Gujarati]] | years = 1971}}
{{s-aft | after = [[Umashankar Joshi]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Portalbar|Biography|India|Literature|Theatre}}
{{SangeetNatakAkademiFellowship}}
{{Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehta, Chandravadan}}
[[Category:1901 births]]
[[Category:1991 deaths]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:People from Vadodara]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Gujarati]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]]
[[Category:Gujarati theatre]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Elphinstone College alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:Poets from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian theatre critics]]
[[Category:Indian theatre directors]]
[[Category:Indian theatre managers and producers]]
[[Category:Indian autobiographers]]
[[Category:Indian travel writers]]
[[Category:Indian broadcasters]]
[[Category:Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda alumni]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Translators of Don Quixote]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]

Chandravadan Mehta - Revision history

ChristenaMcGraw at 15:38, 3 July 2025