Mohan Upreti
Encyclopedia
Mohan Upreti was an Indian theatre director, playwright and a music composer, considered one of the pioneers in Indian theatre music.
A popular figure in Kumaon
, Mohan Upreti is remembered for his immense contribution towards the revitalization of the Kumaoni folk music; and for his efforts towards preserving old Kumaoni ballads, songs and folk traditions. Upreti is known for his song “Bedu Pako, Bara Masa”.
, where he also received his early education. Almora was then a quaint little town, still untouched by rapid development that the British brought to other hill stations like Nainital and Shimla. It was this environment that drew, dancer Uday Shankar
to create his institute at Almora in 1937.
He was deeply influenced by trade union leaders like P. C. Joshi, who later became a prominent leaders of the Communist Party of India
(CPI) and also Upreti's mentor.
In the 40s, Indian People's Theatre Association
(IPTA) and the Progressive Writer's Association were formed, as a response to the Indian freedom struggle by the artistic community, Mohan Upreti couldn't remained untouched by this burgeoning movement, and while still at Allahabad University
he formed his theatre group, 'Lok Kalakar Sangh'.
Mohan Upreti was instrumental in bringing the Kumaoni culture and music into national focus by establishing institutions like the Parvatiya Kala Kendra (Center for Arts of the Hills), which he constituted in Delhi, in 1968. The institution produces plays and ballads strongly rooted in the Kumaoni culture. In fact, B.M. Shah
and Mohan Upreti together, are credited with the revival of the theatre in the Uttarakhand
He remained in the faculty of National School of Drama
(NSD), New Delhi, for many years, and also directed plays for NSD Repertory Company, where his most known work was the play, 'Indra Sabha'.
His most important work is the epic ballad 'Rajula Malushahi', published in 1980, offers never before insights into the Kumaoni folk culture. His other important plays are 'Nanda Devi Jagar', upon which he made a film as well, 'Seeta Svyamvar', and 'Haru Heet'. Apart from that he also gave music for many theatre productions, including 'Ghasiram Kotwal', his music for Hindustani version of Brecht's Three Penny Opera was vastly appreciated and still remembered as his finest.
He worked for many years to revive traditional Ram-Lila plays and bring them to urban audiences.
He also gave music for a number of television productions in the 80's including in a series based on Ruskin Bond's stories, 'Ek Tha Rusty', where again his compositions were noticeable for the distinct Kumaoni folk touch.
He died in 1997, in New Delhi.
in 1969.
In the 2004, "Bedu Pako, Bara Masa" - a creation of Mohan Upreti, was used in Coca Cola commercial "Thanda Matlab Coca Cola", by Prasoon Joshi
, himself from Kumaon. In the ad a "Pahaari Guide" is shown humming the tune. The song is still played at Kumaoni weddings, celebrations and cultural functions and has now even become a popular mobile ringtone. It is also the marching song of the Kumaon Regiment.
In 2006, National School of Drama
published his biography, titled, Mohan Upreti — The Man and His Art, written by theatre critic, Diwan Singh Bajeli.
A popular figure in Kumaon
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
, Mohan Upreti is remembered for his immense contribution towards the revitalization of the Kumaoni folk music; and for his efforts towards preserving old Kumaoni ballads, songs and folk traditions. Upreti is known for his song “Bedu Pako, Bara Masa”.
Early life and education
Mohan Upreti was born in 1928 in AlmoraAlmora
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of...
, where he also received his early education. Almora was then a quaint little town, still untouched by rapid development that the British brought to other hill stations like Nainital and Shimla. It was this environment that drew, dancer Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar , the pioneer of modern dance in India, and a world renowned Indian dancer and choreographer, was most known for adapting Western theatrical techniques to traditional Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance, thus laying the roots of...
to create his institute at Almora in 1937.
He was deeply influenced by trade union leaders like P. C. Joshi, who later became a prominent leaders of the Communist Party of India
Communist Party of India
The Communist Party of India is a national political party in India. In the Indian communist movement, there are different views on exactly when the Indian communist party was founded. The date maintained as the foundation day by CPI is 26 December 1925...
(CPI) and also Upreti's mentor.
In the 40s, Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People’s Theatre Association was an association of leftist theatre-artists and others mostly based in Kolkata, West Bengal, Mumbai and Assam, India. Its goal was to bring cultural awakening among the people of India. It was the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India...
(IPTA) and the Progressive Writer's Association were formed, as a response to the Indian freedom struggle by the artistic community, Mohan Upreti couldn't remained untouched by this burgeoning movement, and while still at Allahabad University
Allahabad University
Allahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
he formed his theatre group, 'Lok Kalakar Sangh'.
Career
As a young man in the 1940s and 50's, Mohan Upreti travelled across Uttarakhand, along with B.L. Sah, and collected the fast vanishing folk songs, tunes, and traditions of the region to preserve them for posterity.Mohan Upreti was instrumental in bringing the Kumaoni culture and music into national focus by establishing institutions like the Parvatiya Kala Kendra (Center for Arts of the Hills), which he constituted in Delhi, in 1968. The institution produces plays and ballads strongly rooted in the Kumaoni culture. In fact, B.M. Shah
B.M. Shah
B.M. Shah or Brij Mohan Shah, was an Indian theatre director and playwright. B. M. Shah along with Mohan Upreti, are together credited for the revival of the theatre in the Uttarakhand...
and Mohan Upreti together, are credited with the revival of the theatre in the Uttarakhand
He remained in the faculty of National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
(NSD), New Delhi, for many years, and also directed plays for NSD Repertory Company, where his most known work was the play, 'Indra Sabha'.
His most important work is the epic ballad 'Rajula Malushahi', published in 1980, offers never before insights into the Kumaoni folk culture. His other important plays are 'Nanda Devi Jagar', upon which he made a film as well, 'Seeta Svyamvar', and 'Haru Heet'. Apart from that he also gave music for many theatre productions, including 'Ghasiram Kotwal', his music for Hindustani version of Brecht's Three Penny Opera was vastly appreciated and still remembered as his finest.
He worked for many years to revive traditional Ram-Lila plays and bring them to urban audiences.
He also gave music for a number of television productions in the 80's including in a series based on Ruskin Bond's stories, 'Ek Tha Rusty', where again his compositions were noticeable for the distinct Kumaoni folk touch.
He died in 1997, in New Delhi.
Family
Mohan Upreti was married to Naima (Khan) Upreti, a graduate of National School of DramaNational School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
in 1969.
Legacy
Each year on his birth anniversary, 'Parvatiya Kala Kendra', an institution set up by him, presents a new play.In the 2004, "Bedu Pako, Bara Masa" - a creation of Mohan Upreti, was used in Coca Cola commercial "Thanda Matlab Coca Cola", by Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi is an Indian lyricist, screenwriter and advertising copywriter. A prolific Writer-Poet whose first book of 3 books "Main aur Woh" was published when he was 17 years of age, an internationally acclaimed Indian advertising professional, Bollywood film songwriter, as well as a...
, himself from Kumaon. In the ad a "Pahaari Guide" is shown humming the tune. The song is still played at Kumaoni weddings, celebrations and cultural functions and has now even become a popular mobile ringtone. It is also the marching song of the Kumaon Regiment.
In 2006, National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
published his biography, titled, Mohan Upreti — The Man and His Art, written by theatre critic, Diwan Singh Bajeli.
Further reading
- Diwan Singh Bajeli, Mohan Upreti: The Man and His Art, 2006, New Delhi, National School of Drama, ISBN 8181970160.
- Vidya Sagar Nautiyal, Mohan Gata Jayega.
- "How Mohan Upreti Found His Guru:Joshi, P.C, The Rithagarh Episode." 2000, Sangeet Natak 135/136: 27-46.