Form and Meaning in Mahesh Dattani's Plays


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Mahesh Dattani, b. 1958, an Indian English playwright.




Tara


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The Plays of Mahesh Dattani


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This book purports to examine in depth and detail the wide spectrum of human relationships depicted by Dattani, a theme that has not been examined consistently and comprehensively by the critics so far. In order to arrive at a balanced appreciation of his mind and art, an analysis of relationships within and outside the family, including those between husband and wife, between different generations, siblings, transgendered and the miscellaneous ones have been examined using mainly socio-psychological approach. Through a series of miscellaneous relationships like those between peers, friends, boss and subordinates, communities and even strangers, Dattani enlarges the range of his subject, revealing a vast variety of human ties which one forges and lives through in one’s life. His incisive and extensive treatment of the human relationships shows not only his insightful grasp of changing social realities but also of human nature, which deepens and enhances the appeal of his theatre, underlining the humanistic values of acceptance of diversity and difference, equality and freedom for a happy and meaningful social and individual life.




On a Muggy night in Mumbai


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‘A playwright of world stature’—Mario Relich, Wasafiri On a Muggy Night in Mumbai is the first contemporary Indian play to openly tackle gay themes of love, partnership, trust and betrayal. Kamlesh—young, gay and clinically depressed—invites his friends home ostensibly for an evening of camaraderie. However, with the arrival of his sister and her fiancé, a series of dramatic confrontations is set into motion, leading to startling revelations and unexpected catharsis. ‘At last we have a playwright who gives sixty million English-speaking Indians an identity’—Alyque Padamsee ‘Powerful and disturbing’—The New York Times




Bravely Fought the Queen


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Collected Plays


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Mahesh Dattani is the first Indian-playwright writing in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award. His plays bring Indian drama into the present day in their themes "sexuality, religious tension and gender issues" while still focussing on human relationships and personal and moral choices which are the classic concerns of world drama.




Thirty Days in September


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‘A playwright of world stature’—Mario Relich, Wasafiri Thirty Days in September remains one of the bravest contemporary Indian plays to seriously deal with child sexual abuse. As a child, Mala was sexually abused by her uncle—a fact she suspects her mother has known about all along despite her refusal to acknowledge it. But the fragile fabric of familial relations is ripped apart when memories of a traumatic past return to haunt both mother and daughter. Performed extensively to critical acclaim and commercial success, this play powerfully explores the brutal severance of the unbreakable bond between adult and child. ‘At last we have a playwright who gives sixty million English-speaking Indians an identity’—Alyque Padamsee ‘Powerful and disturbing’—The New York Times




Final Solutions


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Seven Steps around the Fire


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‘A playwright of world stature’—Mario Relich, Wasafiri In this stage adaptation of his radio play of the same name, Mahesh Dattani weaves an enthralling murder mystery featuring amateur sleuth Uma Rao, wife of Bangalore’s Superintendent of Police. Following the brutal murder of Kamla, a beautiful eunuch, Uma’s investigation leads her into the mysterious world of the hijra community, where shocking truths and labyrinthine conspiracies abound. ‘At last we have a playwright who gives sixty million English-speaking Indians an identity’—Alyque Padamsee ‘Powerful and disturbing’—The New York Times




Understanding Disability


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This edited volume brings together contributions on disability studies organized around two themes: literary and sociological aspects. The contributors include academics, disability activists, and researchers from within and outside the Indian periphery. While the book strengthens the disability discourse and contributes to building academic scholarship on this subject, it also promotes disability activism by giving space to both direct practitioners and persons with disabilities. The chapters discuss various analytical and literary aspects of the marginalization experienced by the disabled community and bring forth new and elaborate perspectives. It draws connections across multiple identities and includes personal narratives across nations, cultures and societies. It is an excellent research resource on disability studies in India for scholars and students in the area of humanities, education, law, sociology and social work, while at the same time also addressing the global context.