Hasmukh Jamnadas Baradi (23 December 1938 – 4 February 2017) was a distinguished Gujarati playwright, theater artist, theater critic, and a Russian language expert from India. Over his career, Baradi authored more than two dozen plays, with six premiering at prestigious venues such as the Central Sangeet Natak Academy and the National School of Drama Festivals. He also penned the "History of Gujarati Theatre" which was published by the National Book Trust in New Delhi in 1996, and later translated into English by Vinod Meghani in 2003.
Early life and education
Baradi was born on 23 December 1938 in Rajkot. After completing his primary and secondary education in Rajkot, he received a diploma in theater direction from Saurashtra Sangit Natak Academy in 1961. Afterwards, he joined the Gujarat University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1964 in English literature and Sanskrit. He received a Master of Arts in Theater History from Lunacharsky State Institute for Theatre Arts, Moscow in 1972. From 1959 to 1964, he worked as a playwright at Aakashvani in Vadodara and Rajkot.
Works
Baradi attempted a fusion of tradition and modernity in his plays. He ran the Garage Studio Theater, which performed in Bhavai theatrical style, a traditional folk theatrical form particularly common in Western India. He wrote many plays within the Bhavai form which delved on topics of social reforms.
Baradi wrote Kalo Kamlo ( Black Blanket), an experimental psychological play which he had published in 1975, and was translated into Hindi in 1980 as Kala Kambal. He also wrote Raino Darpanrai, an adaptation of Raino Parvat, as well as Baradina Be Natako (1984), Janardan Joseph (1985), Pachhi Shebaji Bolia, Jashumati Kankuvati, Eklu Aakash ane Bija Natako, Tame Aanathi Ramtata and Akhu Aikhu Farithi. In addition, Baradi translated Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov into Gujarati as Vanya Mama (1983).
In 1983, Baradi wrote Natak Sarikho Nadar Hunnar (1983), a work of theater criticism. He also wrote Gujarati Theaterno Itihas, a literary history of Gujarati theater, which was translated into English by Vinod Meghani as The History of Gujarati Theatre in 2004.
List of Published Work Year Publication Title Author/Writer Name ISBN NO.2015Gandhari Ane 100 KundoHasmukh Baradi978-93-82679-40-02015Natyarshi Jashwant ThakerHasmukh Baradi -2014Telephone: AekankiHasmukh Baradi978-93-8392-31-12014"Suyodhan":BeankiHasmukh Baradi -2014Rang Parivrajak Goverdhan Panchal, JivanrekhaHasmukh Baradi -2014Karmashil Vidhvan Goverdhan PanchalHasmukh Baradi978-81-922546-2-32014Film Madhyam Ane Nirman Kala Hasmukh Baradi978-93-81265-84-02014Bengali TheatreKiranmay Raha | Translation: Hasmukh Baradi978-81-237-7083-32011Televishan Karyakarm - Nirman Ane Madhyam Parichay (Reprint)Hasmukh Baradi -2010"Jashumati Kankuvati"-Beanki PadyanatakHasmukh Baradi -2010"Sahu Ne Aek Ganika Joye, Urfe…Shakar Mahaavtar, Aparampara…'(Beanki)Hasmukh Baradi978-81-8440-396-12010Augosto Boal Hasmukh Baradi -2010Triji Disha (Varta Sangrah)Hasmukh Baradi978-93-80294-53-72009"Baradi Na Tran Natako"Hasmukh Baradi978-93-80294-46-92009Two Plays In English -('Shakar' and Jashumati Kankuvati')Hasmukh Baradi -2009"Rangbhoomi Parva" Hamukh Baradi978-81-8480-247-42005Theare Name Dhatana Hasmukh Baradi -2003"History Of Gujarati Theatre" Hamukh Baradi, Translation: Vinod Meghani81-237-4032-82002"Natak Deshvideshman" Dr.Dhirubhai Thaker & Hasmukh Baradi -2000"Abhinaykala" - Jasvant ThakarSampadan/Edited by Hasmukh Baradi -1998"Flash Back" Rasiklal Vakil & Hasmukh Baradi -1998Chehaf Na Faras NatakoAnton Chekhov | Translation: Hasmukh Baradi81-7227-036-41997Gujarati Theatre no ItihasHasmukh Baradi 81-237-1995-71997Gujarat Na Jyotidharo: Jasvant ThakarEditor : Hasmukh Baradi -1997Cross Fade (Stories)Hasmukh Baradi -1997Film Nirman Ane KalaHasmukh Baradi -1997TV-Radio-Samuh MadhyamHasmukh Baradi -1997Aengal Camera No Ane JivannoHasmukh Baradi -1997Madhyam SakshartaHasmukh Baradi -1995"Baradi Nan Be Natako" ("Pachhi Robajee Bolya" - Trianki, Ane "Jasumati Kankuvati"-Beanki) Hasmukh Baradi -1995Natak Sarikho Nadar Hunnar (Natyalekho) (Reprint)Hasmukh Baradi1995"Janardhan Joseph" BeankiHasmukh Baradi -1995"Teer-no-Sannanat"-Aekanki SangrahHasmukh Baradi -1994Bertolt Brecht - a monogramHasmukh Baradi -1994Gandhari (Ladhunval)Hasmukh Baradi -1993Televishan Karyakarm - Nirman Ane Madhyam ParichayHasmukh Baradi -1993AntralJean Genet - Hasmukh Baradi Digdarshan : Janak Rawal -1989"Rai No Darpan Rai" BeankiHasmukh Baradi -1988Sachukalo ManasHasmukh Baradi, Bela Trivedi5-25-001796-31987"Akelo Aakash" (Sindhi)Hasmukh Baradi -1986Sinduria SadhHasmukh Baradi5-05-000135-81986LukomoryaHasmukh Baradi5-05-000756-91985"Eklun Akash And Bijan Natako" BeankiHasmukh Baradi -1985Mara ViswavidhyalayoHasmukh Baradi5-05-000134-x1983Natak Sarikho Nadar Hunnar (Natyalekho)Hasmukh Baradi -1983VanyamamaAnton Chekhov, Translation: Hasmukh Baradi -1974"Kalo Kamlo" BeankiHasmukh Baradi -
Death He died on 4 February 2017 in Ahmedabad. His daughter, Manvita Baradi, is a director, theater teacher, and architect in Ahmedabad.
Awards Baradi received the Narmad Suvarna Chandrak in 1987 for writing Raino Darpanrai (1986), and received Kumar Suvarna Chandrak in 1981 for his overall contributions to Gujarati theater. He received Critics' Award of 1988 for Raino Darpanrai. He was also awarded Chandravadan Mehta Award-2000, for lifetime achievement.
References