Ebrahim Alkazi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ebrahim Alkazi
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| Born | 18 October 1925 |
| Died | 4 August 2020 (aged 94) |
| Nationality | Saudi |
| Alma mater | St. Vincent's High School, Pune St. Xavier's College, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Theatre director |
| Known for | Ashadh Ka Ek Din |
| Spouse(s) |
Roshan Alkazi
(died 2007) |
| Children | 2, including Amal Allana |
| Relatives | Zuleikha Chaudhuri (granddaughter) |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan (2010) Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship |
Ebrahim Alkazi (born October 18, 1925 – died August 4, 2020) was a very important theatre director and drama teacher from India. He was known for being a strict but inspiring teacher. He taught his students at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, where he was the Director from 1962 to 1977.
Alkazi helped shape modern Indian theatre. He directed over 50 plays, using both traditional stages and outdoor spaces. He was also an art expert and collector. With his wife, Roshen Alkazi, he started the Art Heritage Gallery in Delhi. He believed that theatre should be deeply connected to its roots and surroundings to be truly great.
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Early Life and Learning
Ebrahim Alkazi came from an Arab family who loved art. He was born in Pune, India. His father was a rich businessman from Saudi Arabia, and his mother was from Kuwait.
He went to St. Vincent's High School in Pune. In 1941, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and joined St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. There, he first learned about new theatre techniques. In 1947, his family moved to Pakistan, but Alkazi stayed in India.
He learned Arabic, English, Marathi, and Gujarati. While at St. Xavier's, he joined a theatre group called Theatre Group. He acted in and directed several plays there.
Training in London
In 1947, Alkazi went to London to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He won awards there from the English Drama League and the BBC. He was offered jobs in London, but he chose to return to India.
He rejoined the Theatre Group in Bombay and ran it from 1950 to 1954. Alkazi also loved art. In England, he spent many hours studying art in museums. His artwork was shown in exhibitions in London, Bombay, and New Delhi. He used many different art materials and styles.
His Amazing Career
After returning from England, Ebrahim Alkazi restarted the Theatre Group in Bombay in 1952. He also worked with the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group. This group included famous artists like M. F. Husain and S. H. Raza. These artists later painted scenes from his plays and helped design his sets.
From 1952 to 1957, Alkazi put on an eight-part art exhibition called "This is Modern Art." In 1954, he and his wife, Roshen Alkazi, started their own group called Theatre Unit. He also published the Theatre Unit Bulletin, which shared news about theatre in India.
In 1956, Alkazi opened the School of Dramatic Arts and became the principal of Bombay's Natya Academy. During his time in Bombay, he directed many Western plays, from ancient Greek plays to modern ones. Some of these plays were staged at an outdoor theatre in Bombay called Meghdoot, which Alkazi designed himself in 1958.
Leading the National School of Drama
In 1962, Alkazi began his most important work at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. He created a new course that taught students everything about theatre. This included acting, directing, and all parts of stage design.
As the director of NSD, Alkazi completely changed Hindi theatre. He brought a grand vision and careful technical skills. Many of his students became famous film and theatre actors and directors. Some of his well-known students include Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, and Rohini Hattangadi.
Alkazi also built new theatre spaces near the school. He famously staged his plays Tughlaq and Andha Yug in amazing historical buildings around Delhi. This made the plays even more special.
He also founded the Art Heritage Gallery in Delhi with his wife, Roshan Alkazi.
Awards and Special Recognition
Ebrahim Alkazi won many of India's highest awards. He helped people understand and appreciate theatre. He successfully blended modern theatre styles with Indian traditions.
He received the Tanvir Award in 2004 for his lifelong work in theatre. He was also honored with the Padma Shri in 1966, the Padma Bhushan in 1991, and India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2010.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance, and Drama, also honored him twice. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1962. Later, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, which is their highest award, for his lifetime contribution to theatre.
Personal Life
Ebrahim Alkazi was married to Roshan Alkazi, who passed away in 2007. She was an Ismaili Khoja from Gujarat. Roshan designed costumes for all his plays. She also wrote two books about the history of Indian clothes. In 1977, she started the Art Heritage Gallery in Delhi, which she ran for over 40 years.
The couple had two children. Their daughter, Amal Allana, is also a theatre director and was once the chairman of the National School of Drama. Their son, Feisal Alkazi, is a theatre director based in Delhi.
Works
- Alkazi collection of photography, with Rahaab Allana, Pramod Kumar, Brunei Gallery. Grantha Corporation, 2008. ISBN: 81-89995-18-9.
Images for kids
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Ebrahim Alkazi
