Veteran theater director, actor and producer Vijaya Mehtaone of the most influential figures in modern Marathi theatre, died on Tuesday at the age of 91. He breathed his last at his residence, leaving behind a legacy that changed the Indian theater landscape.Affectionately known as “Bai” within theater circles, Mehta’s death has saddened the Marathi film and theater fraternity, with artists and admirers remembering him as a pioneering force that changed the stage and story.
A pioneer of Marathi experimental theatre
Born Vijaya Jaywant on November 4, 1934, in Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat, Mehta graduated from the University of Mumbai and trained under legendary theater practitioners Ebrahim Alkazi and Adi Marzban. His tight landing in theater would later help shape one of the most important artistic movements in post-Independence India.In the 1960s, he co-founded the groundbreaking theater group Rangayan with playwright Vijay Tendulkar and actors Shriram Lagoo and Arvind Deshpande. The group has been a driving force behind the experimental theater movement in Maharashtra, challenging conventional commercial theater and introducing bold, contemporary narratives.
Famous productions that revolutionized Indian theatre
Mehta’s stage adaptation of CT Khanolkar’s Ek Shoonya Bajirao is widely regarded as a landmark in contemporary Indian theatre. He also introduced the works of Bertolt Brecht to Marathi audiences through his acclaimed adaptation of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, titled Ajab Nyay Vartulacha. His productions of Barrister, Shakuntal, Hamidabaichi Kothi and Mother remain celebrated for their innovation and artistic depth.His contributions extend beyond India through collaborations in Indo-German theater projects with international artists, helping to introduce Indian theater to a wider global audience.
Acclaimed cinema work
While theater remained his first love, Vijaya Mehta also made a lasting impact on India’s parallel cinema. He appeared in acclaimed films like Kalyug and Party, earning widespread praise for his performances.As a filmmaker, he directed notable works including Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both of which are considered important contributions to the parallel cinema movement in India.
A career honored with prestigious awards
In a career spanning more than six decades, Mehta has received numerous accolades. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1975 and was later honored with the META Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his immense contribution to Indian theatre. She also received the Padma Shri in 1986, won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Rao Saheb, the Best Actress award at the Asia Pacific Film Festival for Party, and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna in 2012.