New Delhi, June 20: Vishnu Prabhakar, born on June 21, 1912, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, was originally named ‘Vishnu Dayal.’ During his school years, he was known as ‘Vishnu Gupta,’ and in his professional life, he went by ‘Vishnu Dharmadatt.’ After passing the ‘Prabhakar’ examination at Punjab University, he adopted the name Vishnu Prabhakar upon a suggestion from an editor.
The ‘Prabhakar’ examination is the final assessment for a six-year course in Hindustani classical music (vocal, instrumental, and dance), equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the field.
On the other hand, Subhash Chandra Arya, also known as Suhas Verma, was born near Lucknow on June 21, 1933. His sharp writing caught the attention of the editor of ‘Yugchetna,’ who inspired him to adopt the pseudonym ‘Mudrarakshas,’ drawn from the famous Sanskrit play by Vishakhadatta. This name resonated with his rebellious spirit, overshadowing his real name in the annals of history.
Despite their differing ideologies, both authors shared an unwavering commitment to their self-respect. They never bowed to authority.
In 1975, during a dark period of emergency rule in India, Mudrarakshas served as a script editor at All India Radio. Disheartened by oppressive government policies and censorship, he resigned from his job, choosing a life of independence. Although he was not born into a Dalit family, his critiques of social norms earned him titles like ‘Shudracharya’ and ‘Dalit Ratna’ from Ambedkarite organizations.
Vishnu Prabhakar, too, took a stand against administrative misconduct at the President’s House, announcing his decision to return the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, which he received in 2004. His message was clear: a writer’s honor transcends any governmental authority.
In the realm of drama and theater, both writers showcased remarkable prowess. Mudrarakshas not only wrote plays but also brought them to life on stage. He infused traditional Awadhi folk forms like Nautanki, Swang, and Bhand with modern political consciousness. His timeless play ‘Aala Afsar,’ an Indian adaptation of Gogol’s ‘Government Inspector,’ remains a sharp satire on corruption, with the character ‘Ranga’ guiding the narrative. His play ‘Tilchhatta’ starkly exposed middle-class sexual anxieties and hypocrisy.
Conversely, Vishnu Prabhakar’s plays often revolve around the tragedy of fractured family relationships and the decline of moral values. Works like ‘Doctor,’ ‘Yuge-Yuge Kranti,’ and ‘Tootate Parivesh’ beautifully portray human conflicts and generational struggles, focusing on emotional depth rather than technical spectacle.
Subhash Chandra Arya passed away on June 13, 2016, while Vishnu Prabhakar bid farewell to the world on April 11, 2009.
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