OBIT: Vijay Tendulkar, noted Indian playwright, dies

News from Geeta Citygirl, founder of SALAAM Theatre, the NY-based South Asian theather company. Tendulkar is the best-known South Asia-based contemporary playwright in the U.S. He was 80 when he died earlier today in Pune. From citygirl[at]salaamtheatre.org:

It is with much sadness, we share the news of the passing away of noted playwright and one of our treasured supporters, VIJAY TENDULKAR. For those that had the pleasure of working with him/meeting him, you will surely remember his smile and his down-to-earth, supportive nature.  May his soul rest in peace. 

- SALAAM Theatre

Vijay Tendulkar (January 6, 1928 - May 19, 2008) was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marâthi.  Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration from real-life incidents or social upheavals, which provides clear light on harsh realities. He provided guidance to students studying playwrighting in universities all across the world, including here in the USA. For over five decades, Tendulkar had been a highly influential dramatist and theater personality in Mahârâshtra.

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7407808.stm
• http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/may/19vijay.htm
• http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pay_your_condolences_/articleshow/3052705.cms
• http://www.ibnlive.com/news/veteran-marathi-playwright-vijay-tendulkar-passes-away/65528-19.html
• http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Marathi_playwright_Vijay_Tendulkar_passes_away/articleshow/3052203.cms
• http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14676710
• http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=31e6e578-b83d-432e-a08c-40b893f90838&&Headline=Playwright+Vijay+Tendulkar+cremated

UPDATE: See Aseem Chhabra's tribute to Tendulkar in Mumbai Mirror, May 25, 2008: "Much of what I learnt of Indian society came from my readings of Vijay Tendulkar’s plays."

See Amitava Kumar's tribute in The Hindu, May 30, 2008, "Vijay Tendulkar’s anger was elemental because it was turned inward against an intimate enemy."

Post your comments below. The photo above and those below were taken during the 2004 month-long IAAC Tendulkar Playwright Festival, organized by Aroon Shivdasani of the Indo American Arts Council (see her comments below). PHOTOS: Jay Mandal / On Assignment

                  

VT with Aroon Shivdasani of IAAC.

VT with SAJAer Vibhuti Patel of Newsweek

VT during the festival. Note the SAJA bag on the desk. No idea whose that is!