Bhikhari Thakur

Bhikari Thakur was an Indian Bhojpuri language poet, playwright, lyricist, actor, folk dancer, folk singer and social activist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the Bhojpuri language and most popular folk writer of Purvanchal and Bihar. Thakur is often called the "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri" and "Rai Bahadur". His works consist of more than a dozen plays, Monologues, poems, and Bhajans, which were printed in nearly three dozen books. His noteworthy works include Bidesiya, Gabarghichor, Beti Bechwa and Bhai Birodh. Gabarghichor is often compared with Bertolt Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Thakur is known as the father of the naach folk theatre tradition. He is also credited as the first person to cast male actors in female roles.

18 December 1887

Born on the same birth day (18 December): Ahmad Ibn al-Qadi • Bobby Jones (basketball, born 1951) • Edwin Bramall • Foxhall P. Keene • Johann Salomo Semler • Julia Wolfe • Mimmo Paladino • Peter Boulware • Ryan Crouser • Sophie of Mecklenburg (1481–1503)

Born in the same month (December 1887): Arthur Percival • Conrad Hilton • George Pólya • Josef Lada • Joseph Lamb (composer) • Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi • Louis Jouvet • Srinivasa Ramanujan • Tim Moore (comedian) • Winifred Carney