The study of Thapalyal’s archives is ongoing. There are over forty plays published and unpublished, ranging in length from one to five Acts, and several dance dramas. In addition, there are short stories, commentaries on theatre, and Thapalyal’s reflections on theatre, on his own plays, and on the significance of theatre as a catalyst for social change. In this list of all his known written texts, we have endeavoured to note the year in which the works were originally written.
PLAYS IN HINDI
Kala Raja, 1963
Alag Alag Raahen, 1987, ending later revised c. 1990
Chimtewale Baba, 1966
Panne ki Angoothi, c. 1995
Subeh Hoti Hai Shaam Hoti Hai, Early 1950s
Chhutti ka Din, c. 1940s
Achhriyon ka Talab, 1960
Kalpana ke Khel, c. 1967
Kaka Babu, 1978
Dhakad Party, 1979
Jhamela, c.1986
Is Desh ka Kya Hoga? 1980s
Kathputali, c.1985
Muthbhed, 1986/87
Swapn aur Satya, 1986
Qayamat aa Rahi Hai, 1989
Jeetu, c. 1990
Lapata ki Talaash (Hindi translation of Khadu Lapataa from the Garhwali original). 1990s
HINDI PLAYS FOR CHILDREN
Imtehaan ki Tayaari, 1950s, later published with minimal changes.
Jis Din Chor Aayaa, 1950s, later revised before publishing.
Sandreela, 1976, later revised before publishing
Jangal Desh Hamara, 1992, written for children’s summer workshop)
Andha Kaun, 1995, written for children’s summer workshop)
Sone ka Kangan , 1996
Jaadu ka Dweep , 1994
Shaabash Doston, 1993
PLAYS IN GARHWALI
Khadu Lapataa, c. 1958
Eikikaran, 1959
Gharjawain, 1950s
Acchriyun ku Taal, 1950s
Durjan ki Kachhadi, 1950s
Chamatkar (Garhwali translation of Chimtewale Baba), 1982
ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS BY THE AUTHOR
The Perfect Couple, c. 1968 English translation of Kalpana ke Khel.
The End of the World, c. 2002 English translation of Qayamat Aa Rahi Hai.
The Haunted Lake, c. 2002 English translation of Achriyun ka Talab.
In Search of the Miracle Man, 2004 English translation of Chimtewale Baba.
UNPUBLISHED SCRIPTS
Ritu Vilas, dance drama on the six seasons recognised in India.
Ajanta Jaagran, dance drama inspired by the Ajanta Caves of Aurangabad, c.1950s
Savitri, an opera, c. 1980s
Vardaan, monologue play based on the early life of Swami Vivekananda, c. 1990s
Sati Chandanbala, 1990s
Mula Jaat, unknown
Vidrohi, Hindi adaptation of the story by Rabindranath Tagore, c. 1991
Brahman ki Beti, Hindi adaptation from the novel by Saratchandra, 1981
The Courtesan Monk, English adaptation of Shudrak’s original Sanskrit Bhagavadadajjukiam, based on a Hindi translation by Induja Awasthi, 1977
Jiyen ya Maren? Hindi adaptation of satirical drama Nekrassov, by Jean Paul Sartre, date unknown
The Magic Island, a children’s play in English, 1983
Anyay, a short play for children on domestic violence, c. 1996
SHORT STORIES IN HINDI -Written between the 1940s and 2003.
Patthar ka Thekedaar
Jagga Gunda
Swapnadrashta
Masaani ka Jungal
Kalaakaar ka Ekaalaap
Raghuli ki Diwali
Dhauli
Ajnabi
Hathyaari Aankhen
Paccheesvin Saalgirah
Sar Phir Gaya
Beemaarpursi
Dahshat ka Dashak
Gaajar ka Halwa
Kalyani
Sapna Sach Hua (in Patthar ka Thekedar evam Anya Kahaniyan (Hindi) A collection of short stories).
FILM BASED ON HIS WORK
“Khadu Lapataa” Short film based on the play, Kapila Films, co-directed by Amit Dua and Brij Mohan Sharma. The film is available on Youtube.
Lalit Mohan Thapalyal Playwright 