Bhavani Datt Thapliyal: First Modern Garhwali Playwright
Garhwali Dramatists/Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists -2
By: Bhishma Kukreti
Bhavani Datt Thapliyal is first Modern Playwright of Garhwali Language. Bhavani Datt Thapliyal wrote two major Modern Stage Plays in Garhwali Language.
Bhavani Datt Thapliyal was born in Khaid village, Mawalsyun of Pauri Garhwal in 1867. The first Modern Garhwali dramatist Bhawani Datt Thapliyal expired on 29th April 1932. His grandson Urmil Thapliyal is famous Dramatist of Hindi and Garhwali.
Bhawani Datt Thapliyal worked with state service in District Board of British Raj. Bhawani Datt Thapliyal started Hindi poetry in his literature career but later on shifted to Garhwali language literature. Bhawani Datt Thapliyal published a few Garhwali poems too.
Bhawani Datt Thapliyal wrote Garhwali Language Jay Vijay Drama in 1911. However, he wrote Bhakta Prahlad in 1913 before jay Vijay. Since, Bhakt Prahlad was first published in 1930 that is why ‘Bhakta Prahlad’ play is called first Modern Garhwali Stage Play. In reality Jay Vijay is first written second Garhwali Stage Play.
There are other plays are as part of Bhakt Prahlad as Baba ji Ki kapal Kriya, Faundar ki Kachhedi.
Bhawani Datt used the epic as base for his dramas. The playwright was capable of showing the corrupt methods in British Raj. There are many social, cultural, administrative, educational ills shown in the dramas and surprisingly, the dramas are still relevant. The theme did not lose its relevancy at all. It might be said that the subject are evergreen in the dramas of Bhavani Datt Thapliyal.
The characters are named in such way that the dramas become interesting. Many characters as Murkhanand, Ghimnadu, Durachari Durmati, Jimindar Ji are symbolic characters and are still relevant in the society.
The dialogues clear the situation very effectively as –
Bin pani Banji Sar, Beej bhi Khaigaun Kismatmaar.
Gothan Goru Gay Gothyar, Mai Jimindar Ji Jimindaar Ji
Characterization is perfect in his dramas. The dialogues are effective in exposing psychological aspects of the character.
Durmati- Jhatpat Utha Danda aur Jaldi Lhau Gunda, Bhukunda
Doot- A ! kya bolde -khund balinda? Hajur ! tana Hukm na deva abinda, jabki kakhi ni rayo Jangal ka Jhinda ! Khan ni Milda falinda, Jaganu ni Milda Sirkanda, Ghasau ni milda Binda, Tab bol daun mi kakhai lhaun Khunda Balinda?
The dialogues are the central points of Dramas by Thapliyal. The dialogues are sharp, satirical with lot of humor. Thapliyal also offered songs to speed up dramas or for creating the atmosphere as required. The prose dialogues are also in poetic design and having flow.
The place of Bhawani Datt Thapliyal in World Drama is as of Russian Playwrights Alexander Ablesimov, Leonid Andreyev, German Playwrights as August W Iffland, Bertolt Brecht, Horvath, Goethe; French Playwrights as Antonin Artaud, Ionesco, Zola, Sartre; UK English Playwrights as William Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Denmark Henrick Ibsen etc. in the world drama.
Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 12/4 2015
References
Garhwal Chitrashaili ke Unnayak Barrister Mukandi Lal
Dr Anil Dabral, Garhwali Gadya ki Parampara
Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna, Gad Matyeki Ganga
Bhishma Kukreti, Garhwali Dramas
Marjorie Boulton, The Anatomy of Drama
Eugene Vale, The Technique of Screenplay Writing
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Notes on Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Pauri Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Chamoli Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Rudraprayag Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Uttarkashi Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Tehri Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights, Dramatists, Drama Activists from Dehradun Garhwal; Garhwali Stage Plays/ Dramas Playwrights Dramatists, Drama Activists from Haridwar Garhwal;