Vilayet Jafri

Vilayet Jafri was born on 2 October 1935 in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, India to an illustrious family of patriots who stood against the British during the Indian freedom struggle. As a result, his great-grandfather was sentenced to death while his grandfather was imprisoned in 1921.
Vilayet Jafri is a reputed playwright, poet and short story writer and well known in the literary, theater and entertainment sector in India. He is well versed in 7 languages i.e.; Hindi, Urdu, English, Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi and Arabic, but writes in Hindi and Urdu.

Career

He worked as Controller of Programmes Directorate General Doordarshan New Delhi & retired as Director Doordarshan. In 1993, a special programme was produced by BBC London, highlighting his contribution as a writer, theater worker and as the man who pioneered Light & Sound Programmes in India. He was an important part of various cultural bodies of the country; viz- Chairman - Inter Media Program Coordination Committee, Govt. Of India (1988–93), Member - National Film Development Corporation, Mumbai (1987–88), International Jury - ‘Golden Prague’ Czechoslovakia (TV Festival -July, 1989), Member - Script Committee, Panel Member - India Council for Cultural Relations Ministry of External Affairs (India), to name a few.

Writer

He has authored 9 books (of which 2 were awarded), 11 plays, 21 sound and light productions and several radio and TV serials. He has been associated with the theater movement of the country since 1954. His play Zeher Kaun Piye won the Academy Award (1989) and J&K Govt. award (1969). He is the proponent of the Supper Theater Concept (Dinner theater). His play Shatranj is Mohre is considered the first ever commercially staged theater production at the Taj Hotels (1999). One of his sound and light productions, Badhte Kadam, created the record of the longest-running show by being exhibited for 482 nights in a row. In 1996, a research was commissioned at Lucknow University to study the radio and TV plays created by him.

Published work

Books - Thaki Yadein, Jahan Khoon Bikta Hai, Zaher Kaun Piye (Received Academy Award (1989) & J&K Govt. award (1969)), Neelam Pari, Dhool Mein Phool, Chandi Ki Kirchein, Dahekta Avadh, Gustakhiya

Plays – Zaher Kaun Piye (received Urdu Academy Award), Sarai Ke Bahar, Rustam Sohrab, Mirza Shohrat, Adhere Se Ujale Tak, Shahjahan, Mitti Ki Khushbu, Aagam, Doctor Radio, Hum Tum Aur Who, Kala Chor, Ghoonghat Ulto, Chat Mangni Pat Biyah, Delhi Ki Akhri Shama, Nahi Nahi Kuch Bhi Nahi, Eik Din, Eik Jama Do

Television Serials - Neem ka Ped (24 episodes were written by Dr Rahi Masoom Reza and 34 episodes were written by Vilayet Jafri), Aadha Gaon (an adaptation of a famous novel of Dr Rahi Masoom Reza was made into 12 episodes), Aaram, Kala Chor, Sher Shah Suri

Radio Plays – Eik Gaon Ki Kahani, Sitaro Se Aage, Delhi Ki Akhri Shama

Light & Sound Shows - Panoramic Spectacle of Freedom Movements, History of Punjab, Badhte Kadam, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mirza Ghalib, Anarkali, Dewa Mela, Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Apni Katha

Awards & recognition

• Urdu Academy Award, New Delhi (1989)
• Communal Harmony Award (1990)
• Bharat Jyoti Award (1991)
• Kalashree Award (1991)
• Govt. of India Home Ministry’s KABIR Award (1992)
• Urdu-Hindi Sahitya Award (1996)
• Urdu Academy (U.P.) Award (1996)
• All India Conference of Intellectuals Utttar Pradesh Ratna Award (1997)
• U.P. Governor’s Fanshree Award (1997)
• Helpage International (India) Award (1997)
• Rangyatra’s Rang Shiromani Award (1998)
• Sangit Natak Academy Award (2001)
• Canara Bank's 90th year Celebration Award
• Bhartiya Fankar Society –Fun Shree Award
• Sanket Samman
• Tulsi Samman
• Acharya Mahavir Prasad Divedi Yug Samman