Draft:Mena Gurjari (Play)

Mena Gurjari (મેનાં ગુજરી) is a Gujarati play, written by Rasiklal Parikh. It starred Dina Pathak in lead role. It was produced by Natmandal in 1953.

Background
Mena Gurjari is a musical play written by Rasiklal Parikh in Bhavai folk form. It is considered a landmark in Gujarati theatre and become popular among both scholars and the public. It was first published in 'Prasthan' monthly magazine in 1930 and later adopted by the Natmandal, a theatre school operated by Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. The central theme of the play is derived from popular folklore Bhavai Garba. It was directed by Jaishankar 'Sundari' which he synthesized Bhavai and Beijing Opera.

Plot
Mena, belonging to the Gurjar community, is married to Kunwar Chandaji Thakor in Garhgokul. Once on the way to sell butter, seeing the Sultan's camp on the way, she goes to see the Sultan inspired by curiosity. The king is attracted by her form and takes her captive. Mena is freed from the captivity of sultan by her husband, brother-in-law Hiraji and Gurjar villagers and brought back. But Mena's mother-in-law does not accept her. She keeps taunting her. The self-respecting Mena leaves the house with this insult and merges at the feet of goddess at Pavagadh. This folk tale is the story of the valour of the Gurjar caste and expresses the glory of affection, dedication, self-respect and chastity in a woman's heart.

Reception
Mena Gurjari in Bhavai folk theatre style, ran successfully for many years. The audience queued up to watch the play and the lead Dina Pathak in Mena Gurjari.

In 1957, it was performed in front of then-President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi and became the first and the only Gujarati play to have achieved the feat so far.

Characters
Principal characters are:
 * Dina Pathak as Mena
 * Rupa
 * Shobha
 * Amthikaki
 * Sasu
 * Shahjado
 * Pransukh Nayak as Brahmin