Graded contractions of the Lie algebra e(2, 1)

The graded contractions of pseudo-Euclidean Lie algebra e(2, 1) are studied . The non-equivalent gradings of o(2, 1), 1) of type Z(3) and a Z(2) x Z(2) are extended to the entire Lie algebra e(2, 1), using the action of o(2, 1 ) on the Abelian ideal (the translations.). The graded contractions embed e (2, 1) into a large family of six-dimensional Lie algebras. The family incl udes solvable, nilpotent and nonsolvable Lie algebras, both decomposable an d indecomposable ones. The distinction between graded and Inonii-Wigner con tractions is analysed. The physically most interesting Lie algebras obtaine d by the contractions are the inhomogeneous Galilei and pseudo-Galilei.