Gujarati Film and Stage Personality Bimal Mangalia Passes Away...
February 5, 2010 12:00:00 AM IST MTG editorial
Bimal Mangalia, regarded as one of the most popular and successful Gujarati film and stage personalities passed away in Mumbai on Monday, 1st February 2010. Mangalia, 69, is survived by his wife, son and two daughters. He was ailing with lung cancer since some time. He served the Gujarati film, stage and television industry as actor, producer, writer and director.
The England's House of Commons felicitated him in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to the film and stage world. He is the only Gujarati film and stage person who has achieved this feat till date. Not only that, the Guinness Book of World Records is expected to take note of his contribution and works in its forthcoming edition. Bimal Mangalia started his career in 1973. His first Gujarati film as a writer-director was Par Bhavni Preet, which was also the first ever Gujarati film to be shot in Kashmir and its surrounding picturesque locales. Sheni Vijanand was his another notable Gujarati film. For many years then after, Bimal Mangalia had made one of the most successful associations with Pratima T, the most popular Gujarati stage actress in the US, the UK and other nations, and gave several plays to the audience. His contribution to the Gujarati stage is notable. He had written and directed more than 100 plays in his career. Among them, PARKA BAIRA SAUNE GAMEY stands among the biggest ever hits with more than 2,500 shows performed worldwide. His other hit plays include MAANAS MAHEKE MAATEETHI, KANYADAAN, NANAND BHOJAI, PATNI SADDHAR TOH PATI ADDHAR, VAR MARO SAUTHI SAARO.
Mangalia was instrumental in opening up the markets for Gujarati plays in the US, the UK, Africa and other countries. He had worked with almost all Gujarati stage actors and technicians of India and abroad during his career.
