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Jashwant Thaker

ジャシュワント・ターカー

Jashwant Thaker

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1915-05-05 （Mahelav, Anand district, Gujarat, British Raj）
Died
1990-12-25 （Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India） age 75
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Gujarati, English
Residence History
Nadiad (primary education) → Jamnagar (music school) → Mumbai (Elphinstone College) → Surat (M.T.B. College) → Vadodara (Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda) → Rajkot (theatre activities) → Ahmedabad (later life)

Career

Occupations
playwright, director, theatre actor, theatre educator
Active Years
1930-1990
Affiliations
Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (theatre department)
Memberships
Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA)
Influenced By
William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA)
Influenced
Aditi Desai (daughter, theatre director), Gujarati theatre community

Education

Elphinstone College
Arts department
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1936–1938
Year of Graduation: 1938
Country: India
Received B.A. from Elphinstone College
B. J. Medical College (dropped out)
Period: 1932–（中退）
Country: India
Left studies to join nationalist activities
M.T.B. College (Surat)
Arts department
Period: 1936
Country: India
Joined arts department

Awards

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1968
Organization: Sangeet Natak Akademi
Result: 受賞
Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak
1977
Organization: Unknown (Gujarati literary awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Soviet Land Award
1986
Organization: Soviet Land (awarding organization)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Unda Andhare Thi

Play

A notable Gujarati play addressing social themes.

social issueshuman relationships

Dukhi no Beli

Play

A play that explores sorrow and inner conflict, delving into human psychology.

sorrowindividual struggle

Mudrarakshas

Historical/Political play

A serious drama dealing with historical/political themes, portraying intrigue and power struggles.

politicspower

Mushak ane Manushya

Allegorical play

An allegorical play using symbolism to reflect on society and human nature.

allegoryethics

Bhagat ni Samadhi

Play

One of his famous staged works, likely concerned with faith and devotion.

faithdevotion

Matimathi Sonu

Play

A play depicting everyday life and relationships, rooted in Gujarati theatrical tradition.

everyday liferelationships

Rajiya Sulatana

Historical play

A drama based on historical or legendary figures.

historylegend

Ganga Par Ek Rat

Play

A shorter stage piece portraying symbolic scenes and human drama.

symbolismhuman drama

Bibliography

  • Natya Shikshn na Mool Tattvo (Basic Elements of Theatre Education) (1957)
  • Natya Prayog Shilp (The Structure of Theatrical Experiments) (1959)
  • Loknatya ane Gamadun (Folk Theatre and Village) (1960)

Adaptations

  • Rangbhumina Kalakar (documentary, 2012)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Didactic and theoretical approach to theatreBlend of realism and folk elements
Recurring Motifs
folk lifesocial themesethnic/cultural identity

Legacy

Jashwant Thaker made significant contributions to Gujarati theatre, directing over 125 plays, authoring educational texts, founding the Gujarat branch of IPTA, and leaving a lasting impact on regional theatre; a memorial foundation preserves his legacy.

In Popular Culture

  • Documentary 'Rangbhumina Kalakar' by his daughter Aditi Desai (2012)

Trivia

  • His daughter Aditi Desai is also a theatre director.
  • He directed over 125 plays in Sanskrit, English and Gujarati.
  • In 1943 he established the Gujarat branch of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).
  • He studied theatrical literature during three years in prison.