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Parsi New Year 2025: Blithe spirits and Navroze naataks
Updated On: 15 August, 2025 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Meher Marfatia
Remembering dramatist and columnist extraordinaire Dorab Mehta (1917-2005) who entertained theatre audiences and newspaper readers
A dated photograph of Dorab (left) and Homai Mehta
When I write I also laugh,” he declared. Dorab Mehta secretly scribbled his first skit at 14, in his math book at Proprietary High School. It was performed under a building stairwell. Caught writing his first play in class at Elphinstone College, he saw that script torn and dumped a lane below.
Undeterred, some novels and love stories (Thagaari, Zita) later, Mehta wrote the tragi-comic, Kino in 1949. It was staged with a roller curtain dropping after the first tragic half, to foreground comic antics of the second part. The three-act production Baar Bachha no Baap launched his Progressive Players Group in 1954. He followed up that well-received farce with delightfully alliterative titles like Karko Kako, Sample Soona Masi and Gustadji nu Guesthouse. The next decade rewarded him with smash successes, in collaboration with Indian National Theatre: Tirangi Tehmul, Kutra ni Poonchri Vaaki, Gher Ghungro ne Ghotalo and Ugee Dapan ni Dor hit diamond jubilee heights.
Rehearsing in Mehta’s home: Standing line includes actor Jasi China, backstage prompter Khodu Irani, Sunderbai Hall ticket planner Adi ‘Dhansaak’ and script copier Akhtar Bhai. Seated with actors are seen Dorab Mehta (centre), daughter Rashna (second from left) and wife Homai (extreme right)
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