Madhav Shukla was a propagator of nationalist feeling through his poems and productions. Born in 1881 he was a great dramatist, director, and actor. Shukla worked constantly for the development of Hindi theatre. He also used the stage to spread the message of service to humanity, establishing Ramlila Natak Mandali in Allahabad and many other theatre groups in Lucknow and Jaunpur.
Siya Swayamvar i.e. `Siya`s Choice of Groom` in 1898 and Mahabharatnatak Purvardha i.e. `Mahabharata Drama: First Half` are his important plays. The latter staged on various occasions. In 1918, he started the Hindi Natya Parishad. This was an institution that did pioneering work for Hindi theatre in Kolkata. To avoid confrontation with the British Government and suppressing the patriotism of Indians, Shukla directed two significant plays for the Parishad under cleverly changed titles. These were Radhakrishna Das`s Maharana Pratap became Bhamashah Ki Mjabkakti or "Bhamashah`s Devotion to the King" and Dwijendra Lal Roy`s Mewarpatan became Vishwaprem i.e. "Love of the Universe".
Madhav Shukla died in the year 1943.
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