Prof. Satish and Jyotsna Mehta have been leading lights of the Hindi theater world in India. They are the parents of Dr. Java Joshi who along with her husband is the founder of the Creative Arts Academy in Burlington, MA.  They shared some great insights into acting and Hindi theater. 

Satish Mehta, though a Masters in Science and a Professor of Physics was always a theater enthusiast. He has been performing, acting, directing Hindi Theater for over 50 years. He met his wife (to-be) Ms. Jyotsna Mehta during college days. Ms. Mehta was equally committed to theater. Their common connection to theater lead to their marriage in 1971. 

In 1976 Prof. Mehta and Ms. Mehta formed a theater group ‘Prayog’. The first play staged by Prayog was ‘Doosara Darwaja’. This theater group has never looked back since then. Over the years, Prayog became one of the most prominent Hindi theater group and expanded as far as USA. It has staged over 1000 performances of 83 full length plays, till date.

Well-known theater artist Jyotsna Mehta has been an integral part of all performances of Prayog. The remarkable factor in the plays performed by Prayog is variety in form and way of presentation. Folk style plays with dominance of music and dance as in Dulari Bai, Bakri and Jadugar Jungle; hilarious comedies like Saiya Bhaye Kotwal, Langdi Tang, Sharafat teri to and Bad-Bad Saavitri; Political and Social satires like Andhon Ka Hathi, Natak Nahin and Ala Afasar; Social plays like Pratibimb, Mansukh Lal, Hastakshar; Period plays like Jis Lahore nahi dekhya, Ek aur Dronacharya; Mythological plays like Kandhe par baitha tha shap; and Psycho-physical plays like Bhoma. 

With its aim of meaningful theater, Prayog has broken new grounds with street plays, like Julus, Samarath ko nahi dosh gusai, Bharat Ke Lal and Kargil Ke Sher, were performed to spread awareness. The theme of these plays have been patriotism, non-violence, national integration, communal harmony and other social causes. These street plays attracted a large number of people on streets and conveyed message easily to them. Satish Mehta has directed these plays with his brilliant and own original style. 

Prayog has a remarkable record of presenting its plays in several cities and small towns with a similar response. Prayog has a brigade of talented artistes, who support the cause for which Prayog has been working. Thus Prayog has established a unique name in the field of theater and continues to rise to greater heights.

Ms. Jyotsna Mehta was born in a Telugu family. She has done double Masters, both with Gold Medal in Science and Mathematics. Though a Science and Mathematics Graduate, Ms Mehta was always naturally inclined to theater and acting. She has been entertaining audience and participating in Hindi theater, ever since her childhood. 

Ms. Mehta met Prof. Satish Mehta, another theater enthusiast, director and actor during her college days. Their common connection was theater and their love for theater ultimately led them to their marriage in 1971. 

Ms. Mehta founded Prayog Theater Group in 1976, along with her Husband, in Indore, India. Ms. Mehta has been actively doing theater since the formation of Prayog. Over the years, Prayog and Ms. Mehta became synonymous names. During this time, she participated in 83 full length plays, and staged over 1000 shows of these plays. She has been honored and awarded on National and State levels, including the best Actor Award, Life-time achievement Award by Government of Madhya Pradesh and numerous other awards. 

Ms Mehta’s work has been recognized and applauded by several newspapers, magazines and electronic-media. On numerous occasions, she made the audience move by her extraordinary performances. 

Few main plays, in which she has performed are - Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya, Ek aur Dronacharya, Kandhe per bethha thha shaap, Dulaaribai, Khamosh Adalat Jaari hai, Bakari, Aala Afsar, Bad Bad Savitri, Saiyan Bhaye Kotwaal, Mansukhlaal Majithhiya, Jadoo Jungle, Juloos, Andho ka Haathi. 

Besides acting Ms Mehta’s other interests are in stage and costume design, interior design and yoga. 

Ms. Mehta has been ardently serving Hindi Theater for over 50 years and still actively performing on stage. We wish her the best for many more performances to come in future. 

 Jyotsna: We met on the sets of a play that we did in college. Prof Mehta was the director and I was acting in the play.  That was the beginning of our relationship that later led to marriage  

Satish:  Jyotsna was an amazing young lady who was so sweet. I could see her passion for theater.  Our families needed some convincing but it all worked out. We got married, have had a lovely life together and have been able to work together to advance Hindi theater. 

Jyotsna : As a child I had this interest to imitate people. I could even imitate animal sounds. My mother noticed my talent and encouraged me to take part in plays and debates. She was very forward thinking for her time. Thus I can say acting has been a passion for me from a very young age” says Jyotsna. 

Satish:  My love for theater came via literature. My mother was an avid reader of fine literature. There were always an abundance of books at home.  I got my love of reading from her 

Jyotsna:  To be a good actor what one needs is power of observation. When one observes keenly one can imitate.   The observation needs to be internalized and then it can be used to influence the character you are playing.  For example when I did a piece in Jeh Lahore Vekiya I played the role of an old Punjabi lady.  When I performed the role I had bring out the characteristics of a Punjabi person. Impressions registered from the past helps bring the character out. 

Satish:  Much later in my life I did go to FTTI and took a course on film appreciation. Infact Deepti Naval was my classmate. However for theater I agree with Jyotsna that it is all about observing and internalizing characters.  

Satish: We really wanted to promote Hindi theater. New in format and presentation, Prayog’s plays seek to throw a different light on social and political issues. I try to present a fresh viewpoint. Our main aim is to address social anomalies and shortcomings. While I come up with the ideas and direct the plays, Jyotsna’s creativity with sets are key for the success of the plays. 

Satish: I am inspired by the great revolutionary German theater personality Berthold Brecht. I believe that Brecht derived the idea of symbolism from the east, primarily the countries like India, China and Japan. 

Satish: In my work I takes many elements from the folk traditions of Indian theater and fuses them with the modern trend of theater to come up with an original and creative style.  Dulaaribai is a prime example of where I have used a lot of folk traditions. 

Satish: Unlike in the different regional languages, unfortunately there is not a large collection of plays in Hindi. People often translate regional plays. That is the motivation for me to write plays. I have written many but one of my favorite is Zinda hai Sucrat, which is a play with a powerful social message. 

Satish: Absolutely. I have written a book “Rangkarm – Ayam-Dhar-Ayam” where I have shared a lot of theatrical techniques.  I hope the next generation will find it useful. 

Jyotsna: I am very happy to see this initiative.  To be able to bring all the arts under one roof and enable so many to learn the arts is indeed wonderful.  My blessings are with them both as an artist and a mother. 

We will continue to work on new plays particularly with a focus on women's empowerment.