Sobhraj Parsram Menghani
Sobhraj Parsram Menghani, popularly known as S. P. Menghani, was born on 1 March 1934 in Mirpur Khas, Sind [Pakistan]. An undergraduate by education, he later settled in Colaba, Mumbai, and served as Deputy Regional Director before retirement. For over five decades, he has been a prominent and much-sought-after figure in the world of theatre.
After Partition, he became the first to direct a full-length Sindhi play, Under Secretary, in association with cine artiste Bhudo Advani. A founder member of Sindhu Kala Mandir, he staged all his productions under its banner, playing a key role in popularizing Sindhi drama in the post-Partition era. Beginning his career as a radio artiste, he proved his versatility as an actor and director in numerous Sindhi and Hindi plays and television serials. His performance in Yaad Kanda remains a landmark in his distinguished stage career.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 1-3-1934
- Place of Birth: Mirpur Khas, Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: Under-graduate
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India.
- Occupation: Retired Deputy Regional Director
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
Shri Meghani has directed 30 full length plays, 150 One Act Plays, 100 AIR Plays & 25 TV Plays (all in Sindhi). Also he has acted in 14 films. Some of the popular Plays directed by him are:
- Under Secretary, 1961.
- Yaad Kanda [Do remember], 1967.
- Pyaso Maan [Thirsty soul], 1966.
- Tea Party, 1980.
- Love Letter, 1978.
- Sai Ram Ram [Traditional Sindhiway of greeting], 1989.
- He-a-Ya Hua [This or that], 1977.
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
Meghani has received total 17 Awards / Honours. Some of most significant are:
- Maya Israni Award, 1965 (At Jaipur by Justice Israni].
- Award, 1972 [At Mumbai by Akhil Bharti Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha].
- Award, 1990 [At Mumbai by Akhil Bharti Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha].
- Award, 1992 [At Hongkong by Indian Association & Indian Club].
- Award, 1992 [At Dubai by Aseen Sindhi].
- Award, 1995 [At Jaipur by Devibai Teckchandani Sindhu Sabha].
- Award, 2000 [At Mumbai by Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy].
Additional Information
- Shri Meghani is in the theatre field for more than 50 years. He is versatile, talented and much sought after artiste. After partition of the country, he was the first to direct full length Sindhi play in association with cine artiste Bhudo Advani, titled as Under Secretary. He formed the famous Sindhu Kala Mandir and all plays have been staged under its aegis.
Finale
One of the most versatile artistes of Sindhi stage, Menghani started his career as a Radio artieste. A simple & unassuming person, Mengahni has proved his mettle as a competent Director of Sindhi drama. He has also acted in numerous Sindhi, Hindi plays & T.V. serials. His memorable role in Yaad Kanda is a landmark in his stage career. He was one of the founder members of Sindhu Kala Mandir, which was instrumental in popularising Sindhi drama after partition.