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Mahesh Dattani (7 August 1958) is an Indian director, actor and writer. He wrote plays like Final Solutions^[1], Dance Like a Man,Bravely Fought the Queen,On a Muggy Night in Mumbai,Tara and 30 days in September^[2][3]

He is the first playwright in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award^[4] His plays has been directed by eminent directors like Arvind Gaur, Alyque Padamsee and Lillete Dubey.

Early life and background

Mahesh Dattani was born in Bangalore. He went to Baldwin Boys High School and then went on to join St. Joseph's College, Bangalore.^[5] Mahesh is a graduate in History, Economics and Political Science. He is a Post Graduate in Marketing and Advertising Management.

Career

Mahesh Dattani, prior to his stint with the world of theater, he used to work as a copywriter in an advertising firm.In 1986, he wrote his first full-length play, Where There’s a Will, and from 1995, he has been working full-time in theatre.He has also worked with his father in the family business.

He first shot into news with his debut film Mango Souffle. He also made movie Morning Raaga.^[6]

Playwright

• Where There’s A Will ,1986
• Dance Like a Man ,1989
• Tara ,1990
• Bravely Fought the Queen,1991
• Final Solutions,1993^[7]
• On a Muggy Night in Mumbai,1998
• Seven Circles Round The Fire (Radio play for BBC),1998
• 30 days in September,2001

Filmography

Director

• Mango Souffle^[8]
• Morning Raga
• Dance Like a Man

Awards

• Dance Like a Man has won the award for the Best Picture in English awarded by the National Panorama.In 1998
• Sahitya Akademi award for his book of plays Final Solutions and Other Plays
• Sahitya Kala Parishad selcted Final Solutions(1997),Tara(2000) and 30 days in September(2007)as Best productions of the year directed by Arvind Gaur.

References

External links

• Official site