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PAPER ID:IJIM/Vol. 10 (IV)/ August/37-41/6
AUTHOR: Prof. Shilpa
TITLE : THE LIFE AND LITERARY JOURNEY OF MAHESH DATTANI
ABSTRACT:This study explores the theatrical oeuvre of Mahesh Dattani, one of the most significant contemporary playwrights in Indian English theatre. Dattani’s works, deeply rooted in the urban milieu of modern India, address critical social issues including gender identity, sexuality, family conflicts, and marginalized voices. Growing up in a Gujarati household in Bangalore, his personal experiences of cultural duality between traditional expectations and modern aspirations shaped the thematic core of his plays. From his early training in Bharatanatyam and theatre to the founding of Playpen, Dattani developed a unique dramatic style blending Indian performance traditions with Western theatrical techniques. Notable works such as Tara, Final Solutions, On a Muggy Night in Mumbai, and Dance Like a Man reflect his bold engagement with taboo subjects, including communal tensions, homosexuality, gender roles, and child sexual abuse. His innovative use of non-linear narratives, spatial dynamics, code-switching, symbolism, and psychological realism established him as a pioneering voice in Indian drama. Recognized nationally and internationally—most notably as the first English-language playwright to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award—Dattani’s contributions extend beyond his plays to mentoring emerging artists and reshaping Indian theatre to address urgent social questions while retaining artistic integrity.Keywords:- Consumer trust, Digital consumer behaviour, Online reviews, Consumer ratings, Trust perception, Electronic word of mouth, Online purchase decision, Digital consumer behaviour, Influence of reviews.
KEYWORDS : Mahesh Dattani; Indian English theatre; gender identity; sexuality; urban drama; marginalized voices; Dance Like a Man; Tara; Final Solutions; Bharatanatyam; postcolonial theatre; LGBTQ+ representation; communal tensions; psychological realism; modern Indian drama