Vijaya Mehta’s influence transcended language, region and genre. Mehta, who occupied a place in Indian theatre like few others and also made several well-regarded films, died on June 30 from age-related ailments in Mumbai. She was 91.
To patrons of the stage, Mehta was among architects of modern Indian theatre. To critics, she expanded the vocabulary of theatre. To actors, she remained the uncompromising director who demanded their very best because she believed they were capable of even more.
To generations of students, she was simply “Bai”. She was a mentor, teacher, critic, collaborator, confidante and, often, more family than family itself.
“This is like losing my mother,” the actor Nana Patekar said. “I am beyond shock. With Bai’s passing, it feels as though everything has come to an end.”
Theatre director and actor Lillete Dubey described Mehta as “the OG Theatre Queen”. Dubey told Scroll, “The moment she stormed onto the theatre scene, she set a benchmark that generations of practitioners have aspired to. Though we never worked together, I remember her passion, warmth and wit. Knowing her, she has probably already organised a workshop up there and has the angels rehearsing.”
Vijaya Mehta was born in Vadodara on November 4, 1934. Her parents, Dattatreya and Bhurabai Jaywant, were members…
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