Mahesh Elkunchwar Biography 
Mahesh Elkunchwar is a famous Marathi playwright who owns more than 15 plays in his credit. Theoretical writings, critical works and parallel cinema as actor and screenwriter are other significant contributions to Mahesh. He is one of the most influential and progressive playwrights of modern Indian theatre.
He was born in a Telugu Brahmin family on October 9, 1939. He was separated from his parents at the age of 4 and had to lead a lonely life in the urban area. In those days, films and plays were taboo to traditional Brahmin families, and he saw his first play when he moved to Nagpur for his matriculation. He completed degree from Morris College and Post graduation from Nagpur University in English literature. During his college days, he happened to watch Vijay Tendulkar`s Mee jinkalo mee Haralo and was deeply influenced by his work. He watched the same play repeatedly and decided to write plays. He spent more time on reading playwrights as well.
He taught English literature at Dharampeth Arts and Commerce College and M. P. Deo Memorial Science College, both at Nagpur, and retired as its Head in 1999. His first playwright was Rudravarsha and he has also written a few one-act plays. A few of his noted playwright works include – Wasanani Jeernani, Dharmaputra, Magna Talyakathi, Yuganta, Wada Chirebandi, Pratibimb, Vasanakand, Sonata, Sultan, Atmakatha, Party, Zumbar, Eka Mhatarachya Khoon, Eka Natacha Mrityu, Raktapushp, Garbo, Ek Osad Gaon and Khaifiyat.
Elkunchwar's plays have gained national and international critical attention. He has been honored in India with the Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1976–78), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for best playwright for Yuganta, National Academy of the Performing Arts, 1989), Nandika (1989), Maharashta Gaurav (1990), the Maharashtra Foundation Award (1997), Janasthan Puraskar (2011) and the Saraswathi Samman.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 18, 2014
