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Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University Unit 28: Mahesh Dattani: Final Solution—Introduction to the Text

Unit 28: Mahesh Dattani: Final Solution— Notes
Introduction to the Text

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
28.1 Final Solution—Mahesh Dattani

28.2 Summary
28.3 Key-Words
28.4 Review Questions
28.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Know about Maheh Dattani.
• Discuss the play Final Solution.
Introduction

Mahesh Dattani is a well known English playwright, actor and director of India. He is the first
playwright in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award. He is an Indian director, actor
and writer. He wrote such plays as Final Solutions, Dance Like a Man, Bravely Fought the Queen,
On a Muggy Night in Mumbai, Tara and 30 days in September.
He is the first playwright in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award. His plays have
been directed by eminent directors like Arvind Gaur, Alyque Padamsee and Lillete Dubey.
Mahesh Dattani was born in Bangalore. He went to Baldwin Boys High School and then went on
to join St. Joseph's College, Bangalore. Mahesh is a graduate in History, Economics and Political
Science. He is a post graduate in Marketing and Advertising Management. Mahesh Dattani, prior
to his stint with the world of theater, 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 the movie Morning Raaga.
He is described as 'one of India's best and most serious contemporary playwrights writing in
English' by Alexander Viets in the International Herald Tribune.
Prior to his stint with the world of theater Mahesh used to work as a copywriter in an advertising
firm. He has also worked with his father in the family business. In 1984 he founded his playgroup
'Playpen' and in 1986 he wrote his first play 'Where There's A Will'. Since then he has written
many plays such as Tara, Night Queen, Final Solutions and Dance Like A Man. All the plays of
Mahesh Dattani are based on the social issues. Apart from theater Mahesh Dattani is also active in
the field of film making. His films have been appreciated all over the world. One of his film 'Dance
Like A Man' has won the award for the best picture in English awarded by the National Panorama.
Besides being a playwright and a director, Mahesh Dattani adorns the mantle of a teacher with
equal ease. He teaches theater courses at the summer session programmes of the Portland University,

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 225