Ram Gopal Bajaj
Encyclopedia
Ram Gopal Bajaj is a noted India
n theatre director, academician
, and a Hindi
film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former director of National School of Drama
, New Delhi (1995 – September 2001).
He has been awarded the Padma Shri
in 2003 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in 1996 for his contribution to theatre.
. Later he moved to Delhi, and graduated from National School of Drama
(NSD) in 1965. After that remained in the faculty of National School of Drama for many years and later became its Director (November 1995 – September 2001). During his tenure as the head of NSD he has been credited to have started two theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsava (National Theatre Festival) and Jashn-e-Bachpan (National Children Theatre Festival).
Over the years he directed numerous plays with the National School of Drama, NSD Repertory Company, starting with Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se, Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak in 1974, Jai Shankar Prasad’s Skand Gupta in 1977, followed by Quaid-E-Hayaat in 1989. His other noted production was Ashadh Ka Ek Din
by Mohan Rakesh
in 1992. He also remained the Chief of the National School of Drama, Repertory Company from 1988 to 1994.He also Translated Girish Karnad
's Rakt Kalyan (Taledanda
) in Hindi, first directed by Ebrahim Alkazi
for National School of Drama
rep., then by Arvind Gaur
(1995) for Asmita Theater
(1984) and Godhuli (1977). And later appearing in small character roles in films like, Masoom
(1983), Mirch Masala
(1985), closely followed by Chandni
(1989). His most noted film role has been in Parzania
and as the Guru, in Jackie Chan starrer, The Myth, both in 2005.
He is presently a member of the academic council of National School of Drama
, New Delhi.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n theatre director, academician
Academician
The title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
, and a Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former director of National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
, New Delhi (1995 – September 2001).
He has been awarded the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
in 2003 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
in 1996 for his contribution to theatre.
Biography
Ram Gopal Bajaj was born on 5 March 1940 in DarbhangaDarbhanga
Darbhangā is a twin city and a municipal corporation and the capital city of the Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It is one of the most important districts of North Bihar situated in the very heart of Mithilanchal. According to the latest 2011 census, the...
. Later he moved to Delhi, and graduated from National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
(NSD) in 1965. After that remained in the faculty of National School of Drama for many years and later became its Director (November 1995 – September 2001). During his tenure as the head of NSD he has been credited to have started two theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsava (National Theatre Festival) and Jashn-e-Bachpan (National Children Theatre Festival).
Over the years he directed numerous plays with the National School of Drama, NSD Repertory Company, starting with Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se, Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak in 1974, Jai Shankar Prasad’s Skand Gupta in 1977, followed by Quaid-E-Hayaat in 1989. His other noted production was Ashadh Ka Ek Din
Ashadh Ka Ek Din
Ashadh Ka Ek Din is a debut Hindi play by Mohan Rakesh in 1958 and is considered the first Modern Hindi play. The play received a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for best play in 1959 and has been staged by several prominent directors to critical acclaim...
by Mohan Rakesh
Mohan Rakesh
Mohan Rakesh was one of the pioneers of the Nai Kahani literary movement of the Hindi literature in the 1950s. He wrote the first modern Hindi play, Ashadh Ka Ek Din , which won a competition organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi...
in 1992. He also remained the Chief of the National School of Drama, Repertory Company from 1988 to 1994.He also Translated Girish Karnad
Girish Karnad
Girish Raghunath Karnad is a contemporary writer, playwright, screenwriter, actor and movie director in Kannada language...
's Rakt Kalyan (Taledanda
Taledanda
Taledanda Taledanda Taledanda ((Kannada: ತಲೆದಂಡ, Hindi: Rakt Kalyan, literally: Death by Beheading) is a 1990 Kannada play written by Girish Karnad, an eminent person in Kannada literature, about the rise of the radical protest and reform movement, Veerashaivism, in 12th century Karnatak...
) in Hindi, first directed by Ebrahim Alkazi
Ebrahim Alkazi
Ebrahim Alkazi is one of the most influential Indian theatre directors and Drama teachers in 20th century Indian theatre. He also remained the Director of National School of Drama, New Delhi He has also been a noted art connoisseur, collector and gallery owner, and found Art Heritage Gallery in...
for National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
rep., then by Arvind Gaur
Arvind Gaur
Arvind Gaur , Indian theatre director, is known for his work in innovative, socially and politically relevant theatre. Gaur's plays are contemporary and thought-provoking, connecting intimate personal spheres of existence to larger social political issues...
(1995) for Asmita Theater
Films
He has also been connected with the film industry for many years, first starting as an assistant director in art films like UtsavUtsav
Utsav is a 1984 Hindi film, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad.The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Anuradha Patel, Shekhar Suman, Anupam Kher, Shankar Nag, Neena Gupta, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Annu Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor.The role played by Shashi...
(1984) and Godhuli (1977). And later appearing in small character roles in films like, Masoom
Masoom
Masoom is a 1983 Indian film and Shekhar Kapur's first directorial venture. The critically acclaimed film starred Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Tanuja, Supriya Pathak and Saeed Jaffrey, as well as child actors Jugal Hansraj, Aradhana and Urmila Matondkar. The screenplay and dialogues were...
(1983), Mirch Masala
Mirch Masala
-Story:The film opens with an arrogant subedar and his soldiers rampaging through a village. The subedar has an eye for women and soon spots Sonbai on the riverbank. Sonbai is an intelligent, beautiful and strong woman. Her confidence intrigues the subedar.The film moves deeper into the village...
(1985), closely followed by Chandni
Chandni
Chandni is a Hindi film released in 1989. The film stars Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna, and was directed by Yash Chopra....
(1989). His most noted film role has been in Parzania
Parzania
Parzania is a 2007 Indian drama film co-written and directed by Rahul Dholakia; David N. Donihue is the other co-writer. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika in the lead roles, while Corin Nemec and Raj Zutshi played supporting roles...
and as the Guru, in Jackie Chan starrer, The Myth, both in 2005.
He is presently a member of the academic council of National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
, New Delhi.