India's 1st English cricket play 'Shapoorji Sokajee' published

Mumbai, Jun 3 (UNI) 'Shapoorji Sokajee', India's first English cricket play, has been published.

Published and printed by Print House India India Private Limited and distributed by Marine Sports, the play in three acts is a first effort by cricket writer Pradeep Vijayakar.

Way back in the 50s Mama Warerkar's Marathi cricket play based on life of P Baloo (Palwankar brothers) was staged.

Through two imaginary characters, Shapoorji, an old Parsee Cyclist cricketer and Sokajee, an old Prabhu Jolly Young cricketer, the play captures the spirit of Mumbai's maidan cricket through a day's happenings in the Dr H D Kanga Cricket league, the world's unique monsoon tournament.

In his foreword, Sunil Gavaskar writes: ''When I read the play memories of maidan cricket flooded back. I hope there is a sequel on the famous Roses rivals of Mumbai cricket - Shivaji Park and Dadar Union.'' Peter Roebuck, former Somerset batsman and well-known writer writes: ''Pradeep Vijayakar has sought to capture the flavour of this era in his play. In fact, he has surpassed his own ambitions by conveying its essence. Of course his play is not just about cricket.

It is also about a period and a country and so is as much an historic reflection as a study of cricket and character.'' Partap Sharma, playwright, says: ''In his first attempt at writing a play Pradeep Vijayakar has got right all the classical unities, which are the rules for drama as stated by Aristotle -- action, place and time.'' UNI GS GR RAR PM1757