Habib-Tanvir
Habib Tanvir was one of the most popular Hindi playwrights, a theatre director, poet and actor. He is the writer of plays such as, Agra Bazar (1954) and Charandas Chor. He is most known for his work with Chhattisgarhi tribals, at the Naya Theatre.
THINK OF Indian theatre and culture, the very first image that immediately conjures up is Habib Tanvir. He was a trail blazer, a pioneer in Hindi theatre. Like Gandhi Ji, for him the real theatre existed in villages.
He started his literary career as a poet with a pen-name “Tanvir” and very soon graduated as full time playwright, director and actor. He loved challenges and difficulties and succeeded in overcoming them. Born on Sept 1, 1923, in Raipur (Bihar at that time) he did his BA from Morris college Nagpur in 1944, and MA from Aligarh Muslim University.
His uncle used to stay in the interior of the Bihar and his regular visits to them brought him near to country folks which fascinated him. In 1945, he moved to Bombay and joined All India Radio (AIR) Bombay as a producer, while in Bombay, he wrote songs for Hindi films and even acted in a few. He also joined the Progressive Writers’ Association (PWA) and became an integral part of Indian people’s Theatre Association (IPTA) as an actor.
He moved to Delhi and joined with Qudsia Zaidi’s “Hindustani Theatre.” This was one of the most important periods of his life. He met Moneeka Mishra, an upcoming actor-director, whom he was to later marry. The same year he produced the hall mark drama “Agra Bazar”. It was based on the works of 18 century writer Nazir Akbarabadi. In this play he used the raw talents from the Okhla village and student of Jamia Millia Islamia. It was a unique experiment is the sense that it was staged within the four walls of a hall but in market place, open bazaar. It was a great success and inspired him to experience further with Chattisgarh folk artists. “Chanrandas Chor” was one such adventure where the highlight was the Nach – A chorus, a narration through Chattisgarhi folk songs.
His theatre has always been known for its utter simplicity in style, presentation and technique. Despite all that austerity his plays were eloquent and powerful with a deep story line. One could see the progressive glimpses of European fads intelligently blended with Indian values in his experiments. He was trained in Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London in middle fifties.
In 1990 he took up the direction of “Zahreele Hawa” based on Bhopal Gas tragedy.
He had his share of controversies as RSS and BJP didn’t spare a secular Indian artist like him from roughing up for his “Ponga Pandit.”
The doyen of Indian theatre died on 8 th June 2009 after a brief illness and the world of theatre lost a worthy son.
