Kaikhushro Navroji Kabraji was the writer-director of the first printed Gujarati play, Bejan-Manijeh i.e. 'Bejan and Manijeh'. This was based on a romantic story from Firdausi's Persian Shabnama. He earned fame among Parsis for presenting their Iranian heritage theatrically. He concluded its performance by Victoria Company at Grant Road Theatre in 1869 with a farce titled Parent Kuvarno paremno piyalo i.e. "Parem Kuvar's Cup of Love" or Navai jevojanvar i.e. 'Wondrous Animal'. He next produced the tragic Jamshed in 1870, also dramatized from the Shaimama. The popular plays he directed for Natak Uttejak Mandali were Dave's Harishchandra in 1876, which ran for 100 nights, and Nal-Damayanti i.e. "Nala and Damayanti" in 1877. This play attracted large numbers of women spectators; he arranged a crÅ che for their children while they watched. Mahatma Gandhiwrote of seeing Harishchandra in Rajkot in 1881 and becoming a strong lover of truth. Thus Kabraji influenced Hindu reformism too. His own Ninda khanun i.e. "Scandal House" in 1883 based on Sheridan's School for Scandal turned into the Mandali's last big hit. He also adapted British plays by Dion Boucicault and Susannah Centlivre. |