Vadodara: The 125th birth anniversary of noted Gujarati theatre personality Chandravadan Chimanlal (CC) Mehta was commemorated with a seminar and theatre festival at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) on Wednesday.Titled ‘C.C. Mehta – Contribution and Re-evaluation’, the programme was jointly organised by Sahitya Akademi, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and MSU’s department of dramatics at the Play Box, the iconic theatre space at the faculty of performing arts.Writers and theatre experts discussed Mehta’s contribution to Gujarati and Indian theatre, his role in establishing university-level theatre education and the continuing relevance of his works.Speakers included MSU vice-chancellor Bhalchandra M Bhange, Sahitya Akademi programme officer Omprakash Nagar, poet Bhagyesh Jha and theatre expert Mahesh Champaklal.Bhange said Mehta had played a significant role in establishing MSU as a centre for the arts.The programme also featured two plays. ‘Alakmalakni Chij… C C’, directed by Rakesh Modi, portrayed Mehta’s life and career, while ‘Hoholika’, directed by Darshan Purohit, used satire to comment on social practices.Purohit said the department of dramatics had a responsibility to preserve Mehta’s legacy and connect the younger generation with his vision.More than 50 students and artistes worked for nearly 20 days to prepare the productions right from acting, music, sets and lighting. The performances drew an enthusiastic response, with ‘Hoholika’ receiving a five-minute standing ovation from the audience.
