1. Balwant Gargi was an Indian Punjabi language dramatist, theatre director, novelist, short story writer, and academic.
12 Facts About Balwant Gargi
1. 2.
On 4 December 1916, in Canal House in Sehna, Barnala, Balwant Gargi was born in a house near the Sirhind Canal, famous for being the spot where Razia Sultana was imprisoned.
3.
Balwant Gargi studied theatre with Norah Richards at her school in Kangra Valley.
4.
Balwant Gargi wrote several plays, including Loha Kutt, Kesro, Kanak Di Balli, Sohni Mahiwal, Sultan Razia, Soukan, Mirza Sahiba and Dhooni di Agg and short stories Mircha Wala Sadh, Pattan di Berhi and Kuari Disi.
5.
Balwant Gargi's plays were translated into 12 languages, and have been performed around the world, including Moscow, London, New Delhi and around the United States.
6.
For subject matter Balwant Gargi moved freely over social milieu, mythology, history, and folklore.
7.
Balwant Gargi was among the pioneers of playwriting in Punjabi and the production and telecast of his plays like Sanjha Chulha on Doordarshan received countrywide appreciation.
8.
Balwant Gargi was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award, the highest Indian literary award, in 1962 for his book Rang Manch.
9.
Balwant Gargi is one of the few artists to win both the Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards.
10.
Balwant Gargi taught for two years at the University of Washington, where he met Jeanne Henry, who later became his wife.
11.
Balwant Gargi was the founder-director of the Indian Theatre Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
12.
Balwant Gargi's students include Anupam Kher, Kiron Kher, Satish Kaushik, Poonam Dhillon, and many other current Bollywood stars.