Introduction

Dina Mehta is an Indian playwright, novelist and editor based in Mumbai. She has written several award-winning plays. Dina Mehta belongs to the Parsi community. Generally, the Parsi novelists who write in English are differentiated into two categories - expatriate writers and stay-at-home writers and Dina Mehta falls into the category of stay-at-home writers. Other Parsi novelists like Firdaus Kanga, Rohinton Mistry, Farrukh Dhondy and Bapsi Sidhwa are included in the list of expatriate novelists. Life in the Indian sub-continent is reflected in the works of Parsi novelists like Dina Mehta and others. All the works of these novelists reflects the history of India and their community in different ways. It is a matter of pride for these writers to be a part of the Parsi community and therefore the work of these writers reflects their ethnic identity.

Works of Dina Mehta

From among the Indian writers belonging to the community of Parsis, Dina Mehta is prominent. Dina Mehta carved a unique space for herself in the literary and theatrical world through her sharp storytelling and bold exploration of social themes. From 1976 to 1982, she served as the fiction editor of the “Illustrated Weekly of India,” a role that not only shaped her editorial sensibilities but also positioned her at the heart of India's literary conversation during a vibrant period.

As an author, Mehta made her mark with two critically acclaimed short story collections: “The Other Woman and Other Stories” (1981) and “Miss Menon Did Not Believe in Magic and Other Stories” (1994). Her stories, known for their emotional depth and nuanced characters, have reached audiences far beyond India. They have been featured in renowned international publications such as “Cosmopolitan” (USA), “The London Magazine,” and “Homes and Gardens” (UK), and have been translated into German, French, and Japanese languages, reflecting her global appeal.

Apart from several short stories, Dina Mehta established herself as a powerful playwright with impactful plays and novels like “And Some Take a Lover.” The play “Brides Are not for Burning” written by Dina Mehta has been immensely popular within the playgoers mainly in a cosmopolitan city that is Mumbai, in the Indian state of Maharshtra. Her hard-hitting play “Brides are Not for Burning” won first prize at the BBC International Playwriting Competition in 1979, bringing international recognition to her fearless storytelling.

Other notable works include “The Myth Makers,” “Tiger Tiger,” Getting Away with Murder,” and “A Sister Like You,” all of which tackled complex issues with sensitivity and boldness. Her writing for radio and television further expanded her influence, demonstrating her versatility across media.

In addition to her short fiction and plays, Mehta authored two novels—"And Some Take a Lover” (1992) and “Mila in Love” (2003). The novel, “And Some Take a Lover” centers on a proposed inter-caste marriage between a sophisticated Parsi girl by the name of Miss Roshni Wadia and the simple Gandhian boy Sudhir, for whom public duty is of greater importance than any other thing in life. These novels showcased her signature blend of introspection and societal critique, cementing her place as one of India’s most compelling literary voices.

Through her contributions across genres and platforms, Dina Mehta remains a significant figure in contemporary Indian literature and theatre, remembered for her courage, creativity, and commitment to storytelling.

Brides are not for Burning

Dina Mehta’s “Brides Are Not for Burning” is a hard-hitting play that boldly addresses the deeply entrenched issue of dowry and its devastating consequences on women's lives. Set against the backdrop of a patriarchal society, the play explores how systemic oppression and rigid social customs push women into the margins, often with fatal consequences.

At the heart of the narrative is Lakshmi, a young woman married to Vinod. Her father, driven by love and hope for his daughter's happiness, sacrifices his life's savings to appease the relentless demands of Vinod’s family. However, his efforts are in vain. When Lakshmi is ultimately forced to take her own life due to the in-laws’ insatiable greed and cruelty, the tragedy is swiftly disguised as an accident. The perpetrators show no remorse, and the justice system remains indifferent.

The play goes beyond just highlighting the horrors of dowry, it delves into the silence that surrounds these acts, the complicity of family members, and the cultural normalization of such violence. Despite the existence of strict laws, crimes against women continue unabated, a reality Mehta portrays with chilling precision.

What sets “Brides Are Not for Burning” apart is its nuanced portrayal of not just male perpetrators but also the societal roles women play, willingly or unwillingly, in perpetuating these injustices. Through this powerful and poignant work, Dina Mehta forces the audience to confront the uncomfortable truth - that until society as a whole transforms, women will continue to suffer in silence.

A significant contribution to Indian theatre, “Brides Are Not for Burning” remains a compelling commentary on gender inequality, social pressure, and the urgent need for change.

Getting Away with Murder

In “Getting Away with Murder,” playwright Dina Mehta confronts one of the darkest and most persistent social evils—female infanticide. Despite being outlawed, this brutal practice continues to haunt modern India, often hidden beneath societal taboos and unreported due to the lack of reliable data. Mehta’s play brings this uncomfortable truth into the spotlight with raw honesty and emotional depth.

The narrative unfolds through the experiences of three women, each carrying their own burdens and caught in circumstances that reflect the harsh realities surrounding female foeticide. While the play broadly critiques the systemic violence inflicted on unborn girls, it also dares to explore the complex emotional and societal pressures that lead women to become complicit in this act. Mehta’s portrayal does not offer simplistic villains or victims; instead, it examines the shades of moral ambiguity that surround such choices.

What makes “Getting Away with Murder” especially powerful is its refusal to provide easy answers. The play ends without resolution, intentionally leaving the audience with lingering questions and an implicit call to reflect on their own role in challenging harmful societal norms. It’s not just a story of pain and injustice, it’s an invitation to introspect and act.

Dominant Themes in the Novels of Dina Mehta

Political events in India like the Quit India Movement and the Naval Ratings Mutiny constitute the background for all human relationships in the novel of Dina Mehta. Thus, politics is a vital part of the novel “And Some Take a Lover.” Typical Parsi paradoxes, identity crisis, apprehensions and political debates are brought in by Dina Mehta in her first novel- “And Some Take a Lover.” It is regarding the conflicting loyalties of a Parsi family which is meshed up in the political agitation of the Quit India Movement.

The Parsi writers including Dina Mehta have the clear notion of the fact that the community of the Parsis is disappearing rapidly. Thus, through her work, she is trying to preserve the ethnicity and culture of her community. Therefore, creative writing has become a major media for many writers like Dina Mehta. It is solely due to this reason that a majority of the Parsi writers including Dina Mehta maintain their ethnic identity through their creative writing.

Recognitions Achieved by Dina Mehta

Dina Mehta carved a niche for herself in the realm of Indian Writing in English through her powerful and socially conscious storytelling. Known for addressing deep-rooted gender disparities, her work has not only resonated with audiences but also sparked meaningful conversations around social equity.

Mehta’s contributions to theatre have earned widespread critical acclaim. Her plays, celebrated for their bold themes and nuanced characters, have been performed in various venues across India and abroad. Her talent was recognized on a global platform when she won first prize in a prestigious international playwriting competition organized by the BBC in 1979. She also received honors from the esteemed Sultan Padamsee Playwriting Competition, further cementing her reputation as a formidable voice in contemporary Indian theatre.

Through her award-winning body of work, Dina Mehta has left an enduring impact on both literature and society, using her craft to challenge norms and advocate for gender justice.