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PRAGJI DOSSA
BIO-DATA
FULL NAME:
PRAGJI JAMNADAS DOSSA.
TELEPHONE:
2494 8039 / 2496 2469. M: 9821609096. Contact: Madhavsinh P. Dossa.
DATE OF BIRTH:
7TH OCTOBER, 1907.
EDUCATION:
Inter Arts.
PROFESSION:
PLAYWRIGHT, FILM WRITER, ACTOR,
RADIO Plays Writer.
MOTHER:
Monghibai. WIFE: Premkuvar. CHILDREN: Nayana, Madhav & Leela.
THEATRE:
Wrote Over 130 Full Length Plays, Over 200 One-Act Plays,
Over 180 Plays for Children, 10 Dance Ballets.
1 Pantomime: “ALIBABA & 40 THIEVES”.
PRIZES:
3 Full Length Plays got FIRST PRIZE – 1955,1956 & 1959,
3 Full Length Plays got SECOND PRIZE – 1957, 1959, 1961 in Bombay/
Maharashtra State Drama Competitions.
PLACE OF BIRTH: MUMBAI.
JOURNALIST, T.V. &
3 Children’s Plays received FIRST PRIZE – 1982, 1983 & 1984 in Gujarat/
Maharashtra State Children’s Drama Competitions..
1 Children’s Play received THIRD PRIZE and
1 Chiildren’s Play was awarded BEST AUTHOR’S PRIZE in Gujarat State
Drama Competitions.
RADIO:
Play ‘BOLTA PATTHAR’ was broadcast in NATIONAL PROGRAMME
of All India Radio in 14 LANGUAGES. (Dts. 22-11-1973 & 26-08-1982).
Over 300 Plays Broadcast from Mumbai, Baroda, Surat, Ahmedabad,
Kutchh , other Cities of India and Nairobi (East Africa).
HONOURS
YEAR PRESENTED.
1) Halai Bhatia Mahajan GOLD MEDAL.
1961.
2) SOVIET LAND NEHRU AWARD JOUNALISTIC PRIZE by the hands
of then PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA, SMT. INDIRA GANDHI.
1966.
3) Honoured during 225th Show of his Marathi translated Play
“SWAYAMSIDDHA” presided by Film Producer-Director-Actor SHRI
SOHRAB MODI & Chief Guests “Jhansi Ki Rani fame Actress SMT.
MEHTAB BANU & Marathi Theatre Best Actor SHRI KESHAVRAO
DATE.
1970.
4) NARMAD GOLD MEDAL from NARMAD SAHITYA SABHA,
SURAT, for my Play “GHARNO DIWO”.
1976.
5) ALL INDIA RADIO GOLDEN JUBILEE MEMENTO by the hands of
then PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA, SHRI MORARJI DESAI
1977.
I was ASSOCIATED WITH A.I.R. from the year 1930 as a SINGER, &
then as a PLAYWRIGHT.
6) WORLD THEATRE DAY AWARD from Triveni, Baroda.
1978.
7) Gujarati Drama 125 Years’ Centenary Celebration TROPHY.
1979.
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8) GUJARAT RAJYA SANGEET NRITYA NATAK AKADEMI
AWARD, GOLD MEDAL & TAMRAPATRA, presented by CHIEF
MINISTER OF GUJARAT, SHRI BABUBHAI J. PATEL.
1980.
9) Film Writers’ Association AWARD.
1980.
10) Honoured by Kutchh Aarthik Vikas Mandal by the hands of SHRI
PRABODH RAVAL, HOME MINISTER OF GUJARAT.
11) Special Executive Magistrate, Maharashtra State.
1981.
1980 to 1983.
12) On 75 Years Amrit Mahotsava Messages of Goodwill received
from CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT, SHRI MADHAVSINH
SOLANKI. Also from FRANCE, GERMANY, LONDON,
CHECHOSLOVAKIA and EAST AFRICA.
A Message received from U.S.A. states “As a memento of this fine
occasion and of all your contributions, a United States Flag has been
flown over the Capitol of the United States in your honour. I give this
to you with great admiration.” The Flag was sent to me By Air.
1982.
1982.
13) Also Felicitated & Honoured on his Amrit Mahotsava during the release
of his book “TAKHTO BOLE CHHE – Part 2” by reputed Classical
Bharat Natyam Dancer SMT. MRINALINI SARABHAI as the Chief Guest
Along with Film Producer Director Shri VIJAY BHATT, Test Cricketer
Shri VIJAY MERCHANT, PujyaPad Shri MUKUNDRAIJI GOSWAMI,
Managing Editors of leading Gujarati Newspapers & many others.
1982.
14) SOVIET LAND NEHRU AWARD & GOLD MEDAL by the hands of
SHRI RAJIV GANDHI.
1983.
In APPRECIATION of the Outstanding Services rendered by SHRI
PRAGJI DOSSA to the Cause of PEACE and FRIENDSHIP the
SOVIET LAND NEHRU AWARD COMMITTEE also presented the
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT to HIM. – NEW DELHI on 14 – 11 – 1983.
15) Honoured by KUTCHH BHARATI by the hands of SHRI SHIVAJIRAO
PATIL NILANGEKAR, CHIEF MINISTER OF MAHARASHTRA.
1985.
FIVE GUJARAT SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDS FOR BOOKS
WRITTEN and PUBLISHED as under:
16) Play “SAMAYANA VAHEN”
17) “ITIHAS BOLE CHHE” (Cowriter: Smt.Vanalata Mehta)
18) “SOORDAS” (Cowriter: Smt. Vanalata Mehta)
19) “TAKHTO BOLE CHHE”
20) “BAL NATIKAO”
1952.
1966.
1971.
1982.
1988.
21) Honoured by SHRI S. B. CHAVAN, CHIEF MINISTER OF
MAHARASHTRA during the release of his book “NAYIKA BHED”.
1987.
22) Honoured by ALL INDIA MARATHI NATYA PARISHAD.
1989.
23) SWAR SADHANA RATNA AWARD from Swar Sadhana Samiti.
1991.
24) SAHITYA RATNA AWARD from Kutchh Shakti.
1991.
25) Honoured by INDIAN NATIONAL THEATRE during Centenary
Celebration of Poet Rasakavi Raghunath Brahmabhatt.
1992.
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26) Honoured by SANJEEWAN VIDYALAYA, Panchagani with Silver
Plate & Citation during their Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
1995.
27) Honoured by FILM WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION.
1996.
28) SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARD & TAMRAPATRA for
PLAYWRITING for 1995 presented by
Hon’ble PRESIDENT OF INDIA, Dr. SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA. 1996.
Besides the above, Received several Honours, Felicitations & small Awards
from various organizations.
TELEVISION:
(More than 150 Pragrammes Excluding TWO SERIALS.)
TWO Stories in Network Serials “EK KAHANI” and “ADHIKAR”.
“MAMTA” Serial on AHMEDABAD TV with Smt. Vanalata Mehta.
“MIAN FUSKI” (Original Writer Jivram Joshi) – 10 Episodes on ISRO.
“MAA” Serial – 41 Episodes on Zee TV.
1995.
TWO FULL LENGTH & OVER 50 CHILDREN’S PLAYS telecast
from Mumbai, Ahmedabad & Lucknow DOORDARSHAN.
6) Wrote 26 Episodes of “SAVITRI” based on Maharshi Aurobindo’s
Epic on Yoga for SMT. HEMA MALINI.
1990.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Besides the above, have also written Stories, Dialogues &/or Screenplays on many other Themes.
PLAYS STAGED ABROAD:
“SPOILT CHILD” 300 SHOWS in RUSSIAN Language BY GORKY THEATRE in
TASHKENT & MOSCOW. Also Staged in U.S.A., London, Aden, Colombo, Burma & East
Africa.
Other Plays “MANGAL MANDIR”, “POONAM NI RAAT”, “AAGANTUK”,
“GHAR NO DIVO”, “EK ANDHARI RAAT” have been staged in U.S.A., Canada,
London, Aden, East Africa, Sri Lanka etc.
FILMS: Total 18 GUJARATI & 3 HINDI FILMS.
1) “HIRO SALAT” got PRIZES from GUJARAT GOVERNMENT.
BEST STORY PRIZE given to me.
1961.
PRESIDENT’S CERTIFICATE OF MERIT & FIRST PRIZE from
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT to my following TWO FILMS:
2)
3)
4)
5)
“JEVI CHHUN TEVI” based on my PLAY.
“BAHUROOPEE” received SIX PRIZES in other Categories also.
“HAR HAR MAHADEV” (HINDI) celebrated SILVER JUBILEE.
Wrote complete Scenario with Dialogues in ENGLISH entitled
“THE WEAPONLESS WARRIOR” i.e. Gandhiji’s Satyagraha in South Africa
in collaboration with noted Film Writer KHWAJA AHMED ABBAS.
Besides these, have also written Film Stories, Dialogues &/or Screenplays on many Themes.
Member of FILM WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION.
1963.
1970.
1974.
1979.
CHILDREN’S THEATRE:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Written One-Act Plays & Full Length Plays since 1924.
TWO Children’s Plays recorded by Columbia Gramophone Co. of Mumbai.
Visited Children’s Theatre in Japan, Kazakhastan, Tashkent & Moscow (Russia).
Invited by G.D.R. Govt. to study Children’s Theatre in East Berlin & Leipzig – 1967.
Participated in ASSITEJ World Children’s Theatre Congress in East Berlin in 1975.
Lecturer of CHILDREN’S DRAMA AKADEMI of Indian National Theatre,
Nandi & BAL NATYA SHALA of Jana Kalyan Kendra from 1972 to1975.
7) Prepared a complete SYLLABUS in Children’s Dramatics in collaboration
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With Smt Vanalata Mehta. This Course has been approved by experts of U.S.A.,
Germany & France.
8) Conducted Children’s Theatre Training Camp at Lucknow in 1975.
9) Again Conducted with Smt. Vanalata Mehta under the auspices of Delhi
Sangeet Natak Akademi & the U.P. Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1985.
10) Member of Children’s Little Theatre, Bombay from 1969 to 1971.
ACTING:
ACTED in 17 Full Length Dramas & 4 One-Act Plays in variety of Roles.
MUSIC:
Received Certificate from Pandit Omkarnath Thakur after completing Four Years
course in Indian Classical Music in Panditji’s institution “SANGEET NIKETAN”, Mumbai.
Thereafter, Two Years Training as private tution under him. Appointed JUDGE on the panel of
JUDGES for AUDITION of Classical Music by All India Radio from 1969 to 1988.
EX-TRUSTEE of Pandit Omkarnath Thakur Memorial Committee.
SPORTS:
Broadcast Sports Reviews from All India Radio, Bombay from 1950 to 1969.
Received Cups for winning various Billiards Tournaments in Mumbai, India & also One Cup in
JAPAN. Das Challenge Cup for BILLIARDS, The India Club, Kobe, JAPAN – 1930.
PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCES:
1ST Afro-Asian Writers’ Conference in TASHKENT in 1958.
2ND Afro-Asian Writers’ Conference in CAIRO in 1962.
3RD Afro-Asian Writers’Conference in BEIRUT in 1967.
ASSITEJ World Children Theatre Congress in BERLIN in 1975.
Children’s Little Theatre Seminar, DELHI in 1965 and BOMBAY in 1967.
JOURNALISM:
Editor of monthly “SUMAN” : 1928 – 1929.
Editor of “GUJARATI NATYA” devoted to Drama : 1954 to 1957.
ARTICLES Written as a Series for the Daily “MUMBAI SAMACHAR”:
-- World’s Children’s Theatre of 17 Countries.
1980.
-- Ghar Gharni Katha -- True Life Stories.
1982-83.
-- Rasavatika -- Bharat Natya Shastra.
1984.
-- Theatre of Absurd.
1984.
-- Lok-Katha.
1984.
-- Jesus Christ.
1985.
-- Upanishads Simplified.
1986.
-- Jeevanma Kala (“My Life in Art” by Stanislavski). 1986-87.
-- Pushti Bhakti.
1996-97.
-- Bal-Pratibha.
(From 29-06-1997 to 24-08-1997).
The Articles on BAL-PRATIBHA could not be continued on account of his sad and sudden
DEMISE on 20 - 08 - 1997.
PUBLICATIONS: (Total 48 + 2 = 50).
Short Novel
Short Stories
One-Act Plays
Full Length Plays
Children’s Plays
Bal Rangbhoomi – Gujarati
Bal Rangbhoomi – Hindi
Syllabus: Dramatics Course for Children) Co-writer Smt. Vanalata Mehta
1.
6.
1.
15.
13.
1.
1.
1.
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ARTICLES initially serially published in “Mumbai Samachar” thereafter
Published as Books as under: (9 + 2).
History of 125 Years of Gujarati Stage – “Takhto Bole Chhe” Parts 1 & 2
Sant Darshan - Part 1 & Sant Jeevan Darshan - Part 2
Pauranik Kathao
Parlokni Duniya (Life After Death)
Nayika Bhed (Bharat Natya Shastra)
Parsi Komna Jyotirdharo (Life of Eminent Parsis)
Tirtha Dham
Pushti Bhakti Madhurya.
(Published after his demise)
Pushti Bhakti Madhurya. (Hindi) (Published after his demise)
11.
1978-1982.
1983.
1984.
1985.
1986.
1988.
1989.
2006.
2008.
INTERVIEWS:
Interviewed by Akashwani: 1 hour AUDEO Recording for BOMBAY ARCHIVES – Febr., 1989.
Interviewed by N.C.P.A.: 1 hour VIDEO Recording for NATIONAL ARCHIVES – March, 1992.
Took INTERVIEWS of several EMINENT DIGNITARIES & PERSONALITIES from various
fields including Chief Ministers & other Ministers, Governors, Stage & Film Producers,
Directors, Actors & Actresses, Music Directors, Playwrights, Poets, Singers, Sportsmen, Artists
from various fields, Judges of High Courts & Industrialists etc.
1953 to 1994.
JUDGE FOR FILMFARE AWARDS:
Appointed as One of the JUDGES for BEST STORY - 1989 & BEST SCREENPLAY - 1992.
APPOINTMENT & SELECTION:
As Hon. Member of STORY BOARD of CHILDREN’S FILM SOCIETY since 1964.
On the PANEL OF REFEREES in Gujarati Language of the SCRIPT COMMITTEE of
Film Finance Corporation Ltd. ( Now N.F.D.C.)
1969-70.
On the WESTERN REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD of SOVIET LAND NEHRU
AWARD COMMITTEE for Gujarati Language
From 1970 to 1982.
As Member of SCRIPT PANEL of National Film Development Corpn. Ltd. since 1990.
On the PANEL OF JURY for KABIR SAMMAN AWARD:
1991-92.
On the PANEL OF JURY for LATA MANGESHKAR PURASKAR:
1992-93.
PH, D. THESIS:
1) Mrs. Kalavati Bhavsar of Ahmedabad wrote a Thesis on “Pragji Dossa’s Contribution
to Drama” and was awarded Ph. D. Degree.
2) Miss Ila Nayak of Ahmedabad wrote a Thesis on “Pragji Dossa’s Contribution to
Children’s Theatre” and secured an ‘A’ Grade.
PLAYS TRANSLATED & STAGED in HINDI:
1) Sahakardeep: PRESIDENT OF INDIA, BABU RAJENDRA PRASAD came to
Witness this Play as it was on HANDLOOM INDUSTRY. 1957.
2) Ghar Ka Chirag.
- 1960.
3) Bahuranee.
- 1970.
4) Soordas.
- 1970.
5) Subah Ka Bhoola.
- 1970.
6) Aagantuk.
- 1976.
7) Agnijwal.
- 1986.
PLAYS TRANSLATED & STAGED in MARATHI:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Sahakarche Diwe./Sahakardeep.
Swayamsiddha.
Paap Kunache, Shraap Kunala.
Rahile Door Ghar Maaze.
-
1957.
1967.
1973.
1973.
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5) Adhikar.
- 1976.
PLAYS TRANSLATED & STAGED IN SINDHI:
1) Sabse Bada Mantra.
PLAYS TRANSLATED & STAGED IN CZECH:
1) Treasure Hunt.
PLAYS TRANSLATED / WRITTEN IN ENGLISH:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Gharno Diwo
Mangal Mandir
Chhoru Kachhoru
The Awakening.
Brothers.
-
Light of The House.
The Temple.
Spoilt Child. Also Translated & Staged in RUSSIAN Language.
(Dramatisation from a Novel).
FOREIGN TOURS:
Sri Lanka, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Syria, U.K.,
Germany, Russia and Czechoslovakia.
Operated for CANCER on Larynx in April, 1977 & CANCER on Prostate in March. 1990.
HONOURED POSTHUMOUSLY by V CARE on CANCER SURVIVORS DAY for being A
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION & HOPE to CANCER VICTIMS through his immense courage,
resilience & strength in his VICTORY OVER CANCER. - February, 1998.
HONOURED POSTHUMOUSLY by President, Natya Kala Charitable Trust, MORBI by the
hands of Youth Service & Cultural Minister, SHRI MAHENDRABHAI TRIVEDI - 1999.