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Dhondy, Farrukh (1944-)
 

Writer, Executive

Main image of Dhondy, Farrukh (1944-)

Farrukh Dhondy was born in Poona, India and studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge (1964-7) and Leicester University (1967-9). Between 1969 and 1980 he taught in inner London schools, was a member of the Race Today Collective, and published several books of stories before entering television as a writer.

In 1983 he adapted some of his short stories for the BBC including Good at Art, The Bride, Salt on the Snake's Tail, and Come to Mecca, which was recognised as the first complete drama series devoted to a British-Asian background. He also wrote the four-part drama serial King of the Ghetto for the BBC in 1986.

Dhondy co-wrote (with Mustapha Matura) the Channel 4 sitcom No Problem! (1983-5); and he wrote the monologues for 'Moves', a short fortnightly commentary for the actor Victor Romero Evans which was featured on Channel 4's Black on Black. In 1985 he wrote the first series of the sitcom Tandoori Nights for Channel 4.

From 1984 until the late Eighties, Dhondy was the Commissioning Editor for Multicultural Programmes at Channel 4.

Seb Whyte

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Thumbnail image of Good at Art (1983)Good at Art (1983)

Engaging play about the artistic and romantic awakening of an Asian boy

Thumbnail image of Tandoori Nights (1985-87)Tandoori Nights (1985-87)

Sitcom set in an Indian restaurant in East London's Brick Lane

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