Indian theatre bid farewell to one of its greatest visionaries as legendary director Vijaya Mehta passed away at the age of 91. A pioneering force in Marathi and Hindi theatre, Mehta’s remarkable body of work and decades-long contribution to the performing arts have prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, students and admirers who continue to celebrate her enduring legacy.
Bharati Achrekar pens an emotional farewell
Veteran actress Bharati Achrekar was among those who paid a heartfelt tribute to her mentor. Sharing a collection of treasured photographs, including a warm embrace with Vijaya Mehta, Bharati reflected on the profound influence the theatre icon had on both her personal and professional life.In her emotional note, Bharati wrote, “To my mentor, friend, and much more, Vijaya Mehta. I don’t have specific name for our relationship… Bai I will forever cherish the values and lessons you instilled in me. You taught me that silence can be as loud as dialogue, that listening to your co-star is the secret to a great scene, and that the stage demands absolute honesty.”She further expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your harsh but necessary inputs, your endless patience, and for pushing me to become a better version of myself, both as an artist and a human being. To me you were a God send angel. It’s a huge loss for me… I worked with you in 1978/79 but we were connected all the while… God doesn’t make these kind of generous, talented, caring souls anymore!! Some memories I cherish... RIP.”
Vijaya Mehta’s enduring legacy
Vijaya Mehta passed away on June 30 at the age of 91, bringing to a close an extraordinary chapter in Indian theatre. She played a defining role in shaping Marathi and Hindi theatre through her innovative productions and visionary direction.A key figure in Mumbai’s experimental theatre movement, Mehta founded the theatre group ‘Rangayan’, which became synonymous with bold and path-breaking performances.Her directorial credits include celebrated stage productions such as ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’, ‘Sakharam Binder’ and ‘Mudrarakshas’. She also showcased her acting talent in films like ‘Pestonjee’ and ‘Rao Saheb’.
Honours that celebrated a remarkable career
Over the course of her distinguished career, Vijaya Mehta received some of India’s highest cultural honours, including the Padma Shri, the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’ and the Kalidas Samman. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian theatre, inspiring countless performers and storytellers.