Theatre director Mandar Tillu dies in Thane

Marathi theatre director and producer Professor Mandar Tillu died in Thane on 11 November 2026 after a short illness. He was known for his work in children’s theatre.

Tillu and his wife founded Gandhar Kala Sanstha, where he served as president. He directed and produced children’s plays, including Khelanyanchi Karamat, Ata Kasa Vattay, Natu Natu, Jaducha Diva and Himgauri Ani Saat Butke.

He also directed a children’s theatre adaptation of P. L. Deshpande’s Vyakti Ani Valli and trained many young performers.

Notable Points

• Kirloskar and Marathi theatre institutions: Annasaheb Kirloskar’s Shakuntal, staged in 1880, was based on Kalidasa’s Abhijnanasakuntalam. The success of Kirloskar Natya Mandali helped pave the way for commercial repertories and Natak Companies in Marathi theatre.
• Tamasha in Marathi theatre: In the 1970s, Vijay Tendulkar’s Ghashiram Kotwal used tamasha as a narrative device and style.
• P. L. Deshpande’s theatre and literary work: Deshpande’s Teen Paishacha Tamasha (1978) adapted Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in Marathi for Vyakti Ani Valli in 1965 and was instrumental in establishing Pune’s Bal Gandharva Ranga Mandir.