
AMN / WEB DESK
INDIA’S theater maestro, director and legendary drama teacher Ebrahim Alkazi, who has been synonymous with Delhi’s National School of Drama, died today due to cardiac arrest.He was 94.
Alkazi, who took charge of the National School of Drama in 1962 and was its longest serving director, produced plays such as Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq and Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug, as well as many Greek and Shakespearean plays. He mentored generations of actors, including Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. “Dad died this evening at 2.45 pm after a massive heart attack. He was admitted to the Escorts hospital the day before yesterday,” his son Feisal Alkazi told media
While at NSD, Alkazi trained actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Rohini Hattangadi, Surekha Sikri and Pankaj Kapoor, all of whom made it in Bollywood. Alkazi is best remembered for the important advance he made in scenographic design thanks to his extensive research before he produced a play. The former NSD directors is also remembered for his love of art, being a collector and for founding the Art Heritage Gallery in Delhi with his wife Roshan Alkazi.
President, VP, PM, MIB express grief on demise of theatre legend Ebrahim Alkazi
WEB DESK
President, Vice President and Prime Minister have expressed grief on the demise of theatre maestro Ebrahim Alkazi. In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, Ebrahim Alkazi, doyen of Indian theater, mentored and inspired generations of artists.
The President said, his death leaves a void in the world of performing arts.
He said, a Padma Vibhushan recipient, his legacy will live on. He conveyed condolences to his family, students and art lovers.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, Ebrahim Alkazi is credited with reinventing and revolutionising Indian theatre.
He said, as director of National School of Drama, he helped set a new course for theatre in India.
Mr Naidu said, his passing is a great loss to the art and theatre fraternity of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Ebrahim Alkazi will be remembered for his efforts to make theatre more popular and accessible across India.
The Prime Minister said, his contributions to the world of art and culture are noteworthy too.
Mr Modi said his thoughts are with the family and friends of Ebrahim Alkazi.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, Ebrahim Alkazi’s work in revolutionising theatre art in India and making National School of Drama a great learning center for artists will always be remembered.