Mumbai, 01 February, 2010: Bimal Mangalia, one of the most popular and successful Gujarati film and stage personalities had passed away in Mumbai on Monday. Mangalia, 69, is survived by his wife, the son and two daughters. He was ailing with lungs cancer since some time and had shifted to the western suburb Dahisar just two months back. He served the Gujarati film, stage and television industry as actor, producer, writer and director.
Bimal Mangalia’s contribution to the film and stage world was so enormous that the England’s House of Commons had felicitated him in 2005. 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 had 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 surrounding picturesque locales. Sheni Vijanand was his another notable Gujarati film. For last many years, Bimal Mangalia had made one of the most successful association with Pratima T, the most popular Gujarati stage actress in the US, the UK and other nations, and gave several super hit plays to the audience. His contribution to the Gujarati stage was extremely 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 in his career. Taking note of his contribution to the field, the UK’s House of Commons had invited him in 2005 and felicitated for his work. Also, the Guinness Book of World Records is on the verge of taking note of his works in the upcoming edition.
Mangalia’s last rituals were performed on Monday afternoon at the Borivali east crematorium. His prarthna sabha will be held on Thursday at Vile Parle west’s Sanyas Ashram between 4.00 and 6.00 pm.
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