Muljibhai Khushalbhai Nayak (1892–1971) was a

Gujarati theatre Gujarati theatre refers to theatre performed in the Gujarati language, including its Gujarati language#Dialects, dialects. Gujarati theatre is produced mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, in cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Baroda, Surat and els ...

director and actor from

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

, India. He was well known for his heroic and

Bhavai Bhavai, also known as ''Vesha'' or ''Swang'', is a popular folk theatre form of western India, especially in Gujarat. Etymology ''Bhavai'' may derive from the Sanskrit word ''Bhava'', meaning expression or emotion. It is also associated wit ...

roles.

Biography

Muljibhai Nayak was born in 1892 in Umta village (now in

Mehsana district Mehsana district (alternate spelling "Mahesana") is one of the 33 districts of Gujarat state in western India. Mehsana city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district has a population of over 1.8 million and an area of over ...

, Gujarat) in a family of Bhavai performers. He started his stage career at the age of six or seven for a salary of one rupee in Arya Natak Mandali. He acted in many roles including Ranuka in ''Bedhari Talwar'', Mokalkunwar in ''Chandravijay'', Nanda in ''Veervijay'' (1901) produced by Phoenix Gujarati Natak Mandali. He worked with Framji Ratanji Appu's Parsi Natak Mandali. He was trained in theatre by

Amrit Keshav Nayak Amrit Keshav Nayak (14 April 1877 – 18 July 1907) was a Parsi theatre actor-director, lyricist and Gujarati author. He joined theatre at early age and later directed several plays including adaptations of plays of Shakespeare. He wrote plays ...

and in

Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...

by Narayanprasad 'Betab'. He played a role of Kumud in ''Kumudsundari'' produced by Subodh Natak Mandali. He joined Deshi Natak Samaj in 1904 and later became a partner in it. In 1914, he joined Saraswati Natak Samaj for a salary of 75 rupees. His roots in folk theatre, as well as experience in conventional theatre, helped him with his Bhavai roles and direction of Bhavai performances which brought him fame. He had also directed several social and historical plays which were influenced by the

Urdu theatre Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule language, the status and cultural heritage of which are recognised by t ...

. His early roles of Badar in ''Sati Toral'' (1915) and Jankinath in ''Sati Manjari'' (1921) were much appreciated. His popular roles include Shahji in Dheersinh in ''Sanyasi'' (1912), Hanuman in ''Sati Sulochna'' (1914), Ebhalvalo in ''Ra' Mandlik'' (1918),

Shivaji Shivaji I (Shivaji Shahaji Bhonsale, ; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680) was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the ...

in ''Raja Shambhaji'' (1922), Shudrak in ''Shalivahan'' (1927) and ''Raja Shahji'' (1938). His role of Shivaji in ''Raja Shambhaji'' attracted

Marathi people The Marathi people (; Marathi language, Marathi: , ''Marāṭhī lōk'') or Marathis (Marathi: मराठी, ''Marāṭhī'') are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to Maharashtra in western India. They ...

. He was hailed for acting, makeup and an entry on the stage on a horseback in the role of Shahji in ''Raja Shahji''. His roles of heroic men were well appreciated for his heavy voice and acting. He died in 1971.

Recognition

Muljibhai Nayak was felicitated in

Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled Amdavad (), is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 ...

on 13 September 1963 by the

Government of Gujarat The Government of Gujarat, also known as Gujarat Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Gujarat and its 33 districts. It consists of an executive of the legislators appointed by the Governor of Gujarat, a judiciar ...

. He was awarded

Sangeet Natak Akademi award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IAST: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recogni ...

for Acting in Gujarati in 1965. He was felicitated by Udaybhansinhji, prince of erstwhile

Porbandar State Porbandar State was a princely state during the British Raj ruled by Jethwa dynasty. It was one of the few princely states with a coastline.It was a first class Princely State with 13 Gun Slaute, standing fourth in rank among the Principalit ...

, in

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

on 9 February 1966 under the aegis of Deshi Natak Samaj.

Stage

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nayak, Muljibhai Indian male stage actors Indian theatre directors Indian male dramatists and playwrights Indian male musical theatre actors Gujarati theatre 1892 births 1971 deaths Gujarati people 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Male actors from Gujarat 20th-century Indian male actors Dramatists and playwrights from Gujarat 20th-century Indian male writers Gujarati-language writers 20th-century Indian male singers 20th-century Indian singers Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award