Dina Pathak

Overview

Dina Pathak (née Gandhi; 4 March 1922 – 11 October 2002) was an Indian actress and director associated with Gujarati theatre as well as Hindi cinema. Regarded as a doyenne of Hindi and Gujarati films and stage, she acted in over 120 films across a career spanning more than six decades.

Pathak was closely identified with the Bhavai folk theatre tradition. Her production Mena Gurjari, staged in the Bhavai style, ran successfully for many years and became part of the form's repertoire. Her stage work also included Dinglegar, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Vijan Sheni, and Girish Karnad's Hayavadana, directed by Satyadev Dubey.

In Hindi cinema, she is best remembered for her roles in Gol Maal and Khubsoorat. She was a favoured presence in the parallel or art cinema movement, with notable performances in Koshish, Umrao Jaan, Mirch Masala and Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!. In Gujarati cinema, her significant films included Moti Ba, Malela Jeev and Bhavni Bhavai.

Beyond cinema and theatre, Pathak was an activist and served as President of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW).

References

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Dina Pathak.