Cinemaazi remembers Habib Tanvir on his death anniversary

One of the most influential playwrights of Urdu and Hindi literature, Habib Tanvir passed away on 8 June, 2009. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awardee, his style of Brechtian theatre and knowledge of various folk idioms and practices made him a unique literary personality. He is most famously known for the play Charandas Chor and his work with the Naya Theatre Group in Chattisgarh. Born as Habib Ahmed Khan, he moved to Mumbai in 1945 to work at All India Radio and became a member of the IPTA and PWA. But he wrote most of his major works after moving to Delhi in 1954. His first notable work was Agra Bazaar which involved folk artistes from Okhla in its production. He became influenced by Brecht during a stay in Europe. Upon his return he sought to incorporate Brechtian principles in his work in Naya Theatre which he founded in 1959 where he experimented with various folk performing traditions like Pandavani.

His most famous work Charandas Chor was adapted by Shyam Benegal. He also acted in several films like Gandhi (1982), Yeh Woh Manzil to Nahin (1987), Prahaar (1991) among others. He remains an immensely influential figure in modern Indian theatre and an inspiration for a generations of theatre artistes. 

Image courtesy: nayatheatre.com